PALISADES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PO BOX 687, PALISADES, NEW YORK 10964
Dear Community,
In moments when the world feels uncertain, people look for places where they can come together, care for one another, and take meaningful action in their community. For many of us, Palisades Presbyterian Church is that place.
Some come because of faith. Others come because they believe in service. And in many ways, that captures the spirit of this congregation: inclusivity, justice, and hospitality are at the very foundation of who we are.
When I joined Palisades Presbyterian Church in May of 2022, I was drawn to its long history of living those values with courage. We have never been afraid to stand on the progressive edge of what faith can look like in the world.
Decades ago, this church welcomed women into ministry leadership when that was still a rarity. During the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, when fear and stigma left many isolated, members of this church hosted picnics for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis community so that people living with AIDS could experience a sense of normalcy, dignity, and belonging. This church called an openly gay man to be ordained as their pastor when the larger denomination still deemed it against church policy to do such a thing.
That spirit of compassion and progressive action continues today. We actively support organizations like the Nyack Homeless Project, Soup Angels in Nyack and Proyecto Faro in Spring Valley, helping feed members of the unhoused community and supporting immigrant neighbors who need care and connection. In many ways, this work reflects the example Jesus set – building relationships, feeding the hungry, caring for the vulnerable, and reminding us that faith is most powerful when it is lived out through action.
Since 1863, this sanctuary has been the place where that work begins. Within these walls – and upon this foundation – people have gathered to worship, celebrate, grieve, organize, and care for one another.
Today, however, the foundation that has supported decades of worship, service, and gathering needs significant repair. This foundation that has built us up to go out and serve our community is now collapsing under our feet. We’ve been informed by Sorrell Engineering that the original joists, girders, and beams that support our foundation – and hold up the very floor we stand on – are beyond repair and need to be replaced. The work required to secure our foundation is extensive, and the cost may reach up to $200,000.
While this is a significant challenge, I also see it as an opportunity for us to come together once again as a community. To help support this effort, we will be kicking off a larger capital campaign with a fundraising event at the church on May 2nd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., featuring wine, cheese, and an opportunity to bid on local fare and artwork while connecting with fellow members and friends of the community.
Along with this fundraising event, the capital campaign committee has secured up to $100,000 in matching funds for this project. Every dollar donated will be matched, doubling the impact of each contribution and helping us move closer to preserving this space for the future.
Throughout its history, this congregation alongside this community has faced challenges and responded with courage, compassion, and a renewed commitment to service. Time and again, those moments have brought us together and made us stronger than before. I believe this challenge will do the same.
If Palisades Presbyterian Church has meant something to you – through faith, friendship, service, or simply the knowledge that such a community exists – I invite you to be part of this moment. I am deeply grateful for the care and commitment this congregation has shown for generations, and I look forward to continuing that work together.
With gratitude and hope,
Reverend Erin Moore
