Episode Details

After 125 years, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Jamaica, Queens, is closing its doors — a historic Black congregation founded in 1902 when its members were barred from other churches. Now, the church’s land, valued at nearly $12 million due to a sweeping rezoning effort called the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, is up for sale, with demolition likely. The plan, a $150 million investment, will bring thousands of new homes, jobs, and businesses — but at a cost: beloved institutions like St. Stephen’s are being displaced. Reverend Frederick Walker says the neighborhood has grown too loud, too commercial, and no longer fits his congregation, which is now merging with a church in Hollis. While the building may vanish, its legacy — from serving Black workers to anchoring community life — remains vital. Officials acknowledge the pain of losing such a cornerstone, urging efforts to preserve its rich Black history.

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