Preservation Update: Sacred Heart Church

Is this the best solution (see August 2024 photo) for securing the recently shattered stained glass memorial window at Sacred Heart Church on MLK Drive in Jersey City?

Evidently, the property owner/developer of the site did not commission a preservation consultant and/or qualified stained glass restoration studio to carry out a proper stabilization solution and plan for replication and protection. Why?

Why has there been zero engagement with the preservation community?

The Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy is deeply concerned about the owners’/developers’ unacceptable lack of transparency as to the cause of the initial vandalism this past spring and what will be done to responsibly and sensitively mitigate the loss.

Again we ask our supporters and site visitors to contact the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark’s main office in Newark (see info below) and respectfully request that they initiate a line of communication with JC Landmarks and the Jersey City community — the first step toward knowing what is going on with the building, what the exact plans are for its soaring interior space and remaining art treasures, and what acceptable mitigatory measures can be arrived at for replacing the lost window.

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark

℅ Office of the Archbishop

His Eminence Cardinal Joseph William Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D.

171 Clifton Avenue

Newark, NJ 07104 

Phone: (973) 497-4000

Email, via the Rev. Anthony Palombo, Priest Secretary to the Cardinal: Rev.Anthony.Palombo@rcan.org