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Grace Church Seeking Funds for Wheelchair Ramp

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The Grace A.M.E. Zion Church of Patchogue in Partnership with The Greater Patchogue Foundation, Inc. is seeking funds to build a handicapped access ramp to access the church.

 

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(left to right) Pamela Gwathney, Mary Durham, Thelma Smith, Presiding Elder Rev. Keith Harris, Ella McLean, Rev. Jessie Fields, Jacqlyn Schley, Patchogue Village trustee Tom Ferb. ADV/Leuzz

 

Grace A.M.E. Zion Church, located at Corner of Grant Place and Cleveland Street in Patchogue, was founded in 1919 and celebrated its 100th Anniversary last May. Patchogue Village’s first African/American Church has a small but active congregation. The church is in need of an ADA compliant wheelchair ramp as well as several upgrades. 

Please consider a contribution to support this effort. Also, if you know of an organization that may support this effort via a contribution or grant, please communicate the contact information.

 

Donations should be sent to:

The Greater Patchogue Foundation

15 North Ocean Avenue  

Patchogue, NY 11772               

 

Make your check payable to the Foundation

Note in the memo section “For Grace Church”

The Foundation is a 501(C)(3) – Contribution are tax deductible.

 

Any questions, please contact:

Thomas Ferb 

Tom_Ferb@hotmail.com

917.225.7411

Renewing life in the Lakeview Cemetery

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If you have ever traveled to Patchogue, chances are you have passed the Lakeview Cemetery located on Waverly Avenue and Main Street. Many residents from Patchogue and surrounding communities, including Brookhaven and Blue Point, are interred here. At one time, this historic cemetery was nearly unrecognizable due to overgrown vegetation and years of neglect. That is until the formation of the Cemetery Restoration Committee and the hard work and dedication of Committee Chairman Steve Gill, Patchogue Village Historian Hans Hanke and a group of volunteers determined to return the cemetery to its former glory.

Today, the cemetery is quite lovely with views from the street of the towering monuments gifted by Patchogue’s famed Smith Sisters, flowers marking visits from loved ones and the ability to walk the property once again.

Last fall marked the first Greater Patchogue Foundation Dia de los Muertos Celebration, created to help raise the funds necessary to continue with maintenance, restoration of headstones and so much more.

Traditional Mariachi music filled the night air, guests were given guided history tours of the cemetery, luxury restrooms were provided by event sponsor Direct Drainage and of course fabulous food and specialty beers from Brick House Brewery’s master brewers were enjoyed by all. It was a fantastic night and a sight to see as many attendees arrived with painted sugar skull faces and ghostly regalia. The proceeds went to a much needed lighting upgrade, beautification projects and to the support needed to create a permanent perpetual care organization.

We invite you to join us on Saturday, November 4, 2017 as we celebrate the lives of those laid to rest in the Lakeview Cemetery and raise money to keep the property beautiful for generations to come.

Let The Music Take You To Church

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Many would describe hearing a live set by their favorite band at a concert as a religious experience. But in a word association game, a popular nighttime music venue would likely not be paired with ‘church.’ Until now.

The small-but-mighty Harbor Church in Center Moriches has turned the idea of traditional church services upside down. Since October16, 2016, they have hosted a Sunday morning service at 89 North in Patchogue. 89 North co-owner Dan Welsch was at first perplexed but agreed to let the ministry use his space. “Well, we of course don’t do much on Sunday mornings,” he said. “But music is very important to them, so we said, ‘why not?’”

The Harbor’s growing church community in Center Moriches is a major reason behind the need for a second campus. “We always wanted to do a satellite location, since every community has a feel of its own,” said Pastor Scott Jankowski. He explained that they had a wish list of places, with Patchogue at the top. “We just loved the vibe of Patchogue,” he said, referencing the growth of the community, especially young adults, over the last 10 years. “We just felt it was the place we needed to be.”

The Harbor Church is striking a chord with a younger generation. The nondenominational Pentecostal church has been successful in attracting youth and young families to their services. The parishioners come from all generations and walks of life, but Jankowski noticed a common thread among them—music. “For whatever reason, our church is extremely gifted with musicians,” he said.

The 30 or so musicians range in skill level and technique, but practice weekly. Worship through music is a huge part of their Sunday morning experience, which is why 89 North was the best fit for the service. At 89 North, musicians get the full “rock-star” treatment, according to Welsch. The venue is equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and audio technology in a space that is both intimate and spiritual. It bridges the gap between concert and communion; both emphasize community and the presence of something bigger. The Harbor musicians are also working towards recording their first original album, Jankowski said.

For Jankowski, praising through music does not detract from the important messages he preaches weekly, it adds to it. “[Music] takes the importance out of your own life and stresses and reminds you that there is something bigger than our own individual experiences,” he said.

BY TARA SMITH