St Barbara’s R C Church

This is a beautiful old church that once was the center of this community. I should know. I grew up as a member of this parish. I moved away and am no longer even a practicing Catholic, but I need to speak up because these reviews are concerning me.
Yes, the church has seen better days, that’s true. But I went back to visit recently and it is still as breath taking in scope as when I was a kid. High dome, beautiful altar… They don’t build churches like this anymore. Those of you who apparently have a stake in being rid of it are out and out lying about the bells. I am still in touch with locals. There is another review in here addressing that but, for some reason, it is hidden.
Which brings me to those other reviews. Why are 9 positive reviews that were written by people who are parish members or have lived their lives in the neighborhood deemed «currently not recommended» by Unilocal?I’ve been using Unilocal for many years and can’t recall ever seeing that. Please see the hidden reviews and go visit this church. If the only reason you visit is because you love old churches, you should visit this one. It deserves landmark status.

Lol it’s true the bells are annoying.
the old ladies here gossip a lot and I would know because my family is very involved with this church
I like the acting club it’s pretty cool
The designs are beautiful.

This is one of the most beautiful Churches in our community and in NYC. I grew up in this Church. I live a block away from it. I made my communion, penance, and I was even baptized there. Now my son was baptized there as well this past year. I am hoping for this St Barbara’s Church to be around for years to come. Everything about this church is spiritual and it is truly one of a kind.

This church is literally the bane of my current existence. Yes, it’s beautiful. Yes, it’s old. So old, in fact, that they have a standard bell tower that rings sporadically throughout the week at any given hour. Yesterday, Dec. 8, the bells went on for literally over an hour. Why would something that’s supposed to celebrate life and peace be so irritating?
They’re not even pretty bells that chime the time once an hour, or play songs on Sundays. It’s an ugly, loud, repetitive DONG DONG DONG that terrorizes the neighborhood.

This church may be in a bad neighborhood but if you’ve grown up in the neighborhood and actually been around, it has gotten better. Yes, there are still situations here and there but that’s any neighborhood. And as far as people not attending, that is completely insane. I am a proud parishioner and delegate of the youth group at St. Barbara’s and our numbers are growing. I love my parish and the neighborhood it’s in.

This is an absolutely beautiful church in a pretty bad neighborhood. I feel bad for this place, I think it will go out of business and close down one day. It doesn’t seem like their would be many church goers around there. Anyway, it was a very old church, very pretty with a large dome, and the usual intricate paintings, marble, and sculpture decorations. I found it to be very peaceful, quiet and spiritual. Its definitely a diamond in the rough.