Irish Echo

Campaigners for St. Brigid's went back to court yesterday in a last legal effort to save the Manhattan Famine-era church. "We're asking the Court of Appeals to hear our case," said lawyer Harry Kresky. "I'm hopeful." Meanwhile, the Irish Echo has learned that the New York archdiocese has renewed its demolition permit for the 160-year-old East Village structure, which overlooks Tompkins Square Park. Parishioners and preservationists have reported increased activity at the site at the corner of Avenue B and 8th Street, which, they fear, might point to a plan to demolish sooner rather than later. On a more hopeful note for the church's advocates, Kresky pointed to the "very well-reasoned" dissenting opinion put by Judge Kavanagh, when the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, issued its decision two months ago. The issue of St. Brigid's -- said to be the oldest surviving example of the work of prolific County Tipperary-born architect Patrick C. Keely -- has been in the courts for almost three years.