QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A beloved 138-year-old church in Queens may have to close its doors. Rev. Joyce Dugger from the First Congregational Church of Rockaway Beach reached out to PIX11 News to help this community gem stay open and help the neighborhood thrive.
Dugger said that besides spiritual help, they provide mental health resources, even free yoga for seniors. They need help to keep their mission alive.
The church doors have been open to those in need since 1885. Duggar said it’s a place of worship but also a hub of community resources, offering a food pantry that hosts weekly distributions, free mental health and wellness care, and more.
For Diana Rivera, just the thought of this church closing due to financial need breaks her heart. Duggar said even though attendance is down post-pandemic, services to the community never stopped and even increased, especially for the children.
Sylvia Hamilton is considered the grandmother of the church and helps with children’s programs. Duggar said with just the flood insurance to the church in the tens of thousands of dollars she is praying for a miracle to help keep this place open.
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