FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NYS Division for Historic Preservation:”Mount Manresa eligible for National Register of Historic Places.” Save Manresa Committee to release doves in response to sudden removal of Large Cross and to honor of those who died in September 11 tragedy.
[Staten Island, NY] The committee to Save Mount Manresa has received notice from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that Mount Manresa is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
The State has determined that remaining Fox Hill Villa structures as well as the architecture of Shealy Hall and Sacred Heart Chapel, and Mount Manresa’s social history and its association with the establishment of the Jesuit Retreat House movement makes it eligible for this status.
The Save Mount Manresa committee reviewed the confirmation letter at their weekly meeting along with strong endorsements of their efforts in the Staten Island Advance from Barnett Shepherd of The Staten Island Preservation League and Cliff Hagen of The Protector of Pine Oak Woods.
Mayoral Candidate and Eltingville resident, Michael Post, also attended the meeting and officially stated his support of the Committee’s efforts to Save Mount Manresa.
“I believe we are overdeveloping Staten Island and need to maintain and protect our environment. I believe Mount Manresa should be landmarked and preserved as a park for the public and not destroyed by builders like so many other areas of Staten Island have” said Post.
Post announced he would join the Committee to Save Mount Manresa at their Saturday, July 20th rally. The rally will be held at 10am on Narrows Road North in front of the large stone Mount Manresa sign (approximate address 99 Narrows Road North).
Saturday’s rally, which will include the release of over 50 doves, is in reaction to the removal of the large cross on Narrows Road North, and the cross which was made with metal from the World Trade Center and donated to Mount Manresa. The release of the doves will be in honor the victims who died in the 9/11, many whose families have purchased memorials and found peace and recovery at Mount Manresa.
“Many people don’t realize Mount Manresa’s deep connection to 9/11,” says Joe Canepa founder of the September 11, Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Mount Manresa. “It is remarkable that September 11, 1911 was the birth date of the Jesuit Retreat house, but more importantly, it was a epicenter of recovery efforts after the tragedy of September 11, 2001.”
“First responders and rescue workers were housed here, and families of victims of the tragedy found peace and received counseling at Mount Manresa. Now is the time to preserve this place to honor the first responders, Mt. Manresa as a Sacred place for its role in September 11th, 2001 as a Community facility always ready to welcome those in need.”
In addition to supporting the efforts of the Save Mount Manresa Committee to preserve Mount Manresa, Canepa and his organization are currently working to document miracles that have occurred in the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, one of the very structures that was identified for landmark designation by the NYS Department of Parks.
“The grotto is a place of prayer and remembering all affected by September 11th, 2001. Mount Manresa has ecumenical openness to all who walk through the grounds and helped the New York City, New York State, the United States and Staten Island memorialize the heroes of 9/11 both the living, suffering first responders and the terrorist victims of this tragic event.”
The Sacred Heart Grotto, part of the original Fox Hill Estate is made from iron ore that was shipped from Todt Hill (Iron Hill) in Staten Island and includes a large statue of Jesus. Many who have visited this peaceful spot in the hillside of the former Fox Hill for reflection and prayer. It is the location of many historical photos of retreat groups.
Other structures from the original 1860 estate include the rare Artesian Water Tower and the gate house.
The Committee to Save Mount Manresa, formed by Community Board 1 in May, has been working to protect the Mount Manresa so it can be made into as a much needed public park for the local communities and all of New York City residents and visitors to enjoy. To date they have collected over 4,800 signatures for their petition online and on paper. The committee expects to collect another thousand signatures over the weekend.
“Now we need our elected officials, present and future, to take action and protect this 15 acres and our quality of life, something that should have been through zoning years ago.” says Jack Bolembach, Committee president. “We demand that they protect our environment, our health and preserve one of the last pristine landscapes remaining as well as historical sites that are important to those alive today and for future generations. Saying that there is nothing that can be done is not acceptable. Once it is gone it is gone forever.”
The Save Mount Manresa is planning a panel discussion on August 15 which includes author of the book, Mount Manresa, Thomas Matteo, and a second event, a benefit concert featuring local artists to help raise funds for expected legal fees related to their efforts.
About Mount Manresa
Mount Manresa is 15 acres of land located at 239 Fingerboard Road, Staten Island, NY 10305, minutes away from the Staten Island Expressway and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. This land surrounded on three sides by urban housing and one of the most busiest highways in America, provides a natural habitat for many kinds of wildlife including deer. Mount Manresa is the home of the first retreat house in America, has been owned by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) for over 100 years. The 15 acre property, which is zoned for high density housing, such as apartment buildings or townhouses, is in the process of being sold to a local builder for $15.5 million.
The land of Mount Manresa has a rich geological history, with natural hills called a terminal moraine that once stretched across the Narrows and was formed by a massive continental glacier 20,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. The sprawling 15 acres, consisting of glacial hills and a beautiful valley are home to old rare tall native oak and tulip trees.
Mount Manresa has been a part of the community for over 100 years and has been a place of healing, recovery and reflection for hundreds of thousands of people who have visited through the years. Families and victims of 911 found peace and received counseling at Mount Manresa. Mount Manresa was used by Elissa Montani’s Global Relief Fund as a place of recovery for victims of war, natural disaster and illness. Most recently, Mount Manresa was a home for victims of Super Storm Sandy before the retreat house closed in 2013.
About the Committee to Save Mount Manresa
This committee is a grassroots effort to protect the environment, the rich history of the land, and the quality of life on Staten Island. With the support of Staten Island Community Board 1, the Committee To Save Mount Manresa was formed, with the mission to do everything legally possible to save and protect this ecological and historical treasure before it is too late. The committee wants Mount Manresa turned into a much needed park for the public.
Contact: Jack Bolembach President Community Board 1 – Save Mount Manresa Committee Marathon92@aol.com | 347-267-4940 www.savemanresa.org Barbara Sanchez Committee Secretary bsanche@yahoo.com | 917-428-8117 # end of release # Click to see Full Letter from NYS Division for Historic Preservation