Church Destroyed On 9/11 Finding Resurrection Difficult

"A rising tide lifts all boats," is an appropriate quote as the national debate over the mosque near the former World Trade Center has lifted another house of worship into the news.

St. Nicholas was a Greek Orthodox church that literally was in the shadow of the Twin Towers. A fixture at 155 Cedar Street since 1916, it was the only house of worship destroyed when the towers collapsed However, rather than a story of resurrection, it is a story of hurt feelings.

Immediately following the 9/11 attacks, church leaders were assured by Gov. George Pataki the state would help rebuild the church. The offer was for a new space at 130 Liberty Street for a so-called mega-church with 8-thousand square feet – 6 times the size of the original location. In addition, the church would receive $20-million in public funds and the Port Authority would bear the $40-million cost of the structure underground which is part of the structure for the parking below. That was the offer on the table in March 2009.

However, sources tell PIX 11 News the church did not accept the deal and wanted to negotiate terms of domain and "other conditions" that began to threaten the pace of construction at the WTC site which was already heavily criticized for delays.

Speaking to PIX 11 News from out of town, Father Mark Arey of the Greek Archdiocese of America says for 8 years they have let the city and state use 155 Cedar Street, the original location, for whatever was needed during the construction process. In addition, the church never heard back after both sides were stuck in an impasse in August of 2009, the church was waiting for another round of negotiations and the Port Authority took the deal off the table and moved ahead with construction.

"It's a little cynical, after 8 years of negotiations and promises from political leaders to say: go back to where you were," Father Arey says, "We thought we were a partner down there with everyone else… St Nicholas is more than a church. Rebuilding it is important for the soul of our city and soul of our country."

The Port Authority says the group has the right to rebuild St Nicholas Church at its original location and will still cover the cost of the foundation to protect the underground parking structure below. But whatever is built above ground at the existing 1,200 square feet lot will have to go up without taxpayer funds.

Leaders at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are hoping for resurrection, and a little help from Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg.

PIX 11 News will keep you posted on whether their prayers are heard.