Babylon Church To Rededicate Sanctuary After Nearly 2-Year Closure

BABYLON, NY — After nearly two years without access to its main worship space, Christ Episcopal Church in Babylon is set to rededicate its sanctuary this weekend.

The church will hold a special 9 a.m. Holy Eucharist on May 3, marking the official reopening of the sanctuary. The service will be led by the Right Reverend Lawrence Provenzano, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island.

The church, located at 12 Prospect St., at the corner of South Carll Avenue, has been unable to use its main sanctuary since July 2023, when an inspection revealed a structural issue involving the roof’s ridge beam.

Safety precautions were immediately put in place, and services, along with other gatherings, were relocated to alternate spaces within the building while repairs were undertaken.

Church leaders said addressing the structural integrity of the roof was essential before reopening the sanctuary, leading to the extended closure.

Christ Episcopal Church has been part of the Babylon community for more than 150 years, dating back to its founding in 1869. The current building, which was first dedicated in 1931, has served as a longstanding hub for worship and community programs.

Beyond religious services, the church's signature initiative, Nourish Babylon, has provided hot meals to community members in need every Monday evening since 2014. The program has also helped expand additional social service efforts.

The church also hosts multiple 12-step and self-help groups, and serves as home to Pride and Joy Childcare, which operates a program for toddlers and preschool-aged children in the building’s lower level.

The parish is led by the Rev. Catherine Lane Wieczorek, who has served as Priest in Charge since July 2024.

Sunday’s rededication service marks both a return to the church’s historic sanctuary and a milestone moment for the congregation following an extended period of disruption.