The church bell doesn’t ring anymore at St. Mary’s in the Highlands Church.<\/p>\n
And there is no proper place for the rector of the Episcopal church to drape his vestments and store religious materials.<\/p>\n
For 140 years, rain and wind have taken a toll on the church’s 125-foot-high tower.<\/p>\n
The granite-block steeple and interior plaster have been extensively damaged. Leaks threaten not only the tower, but also the interior walls of the church and its organ console.<\/p>\n
Parishioners responded in June by forming the St. Mary’s Steeple Committee, hoping to raise $450,000 for repairs. So far, $155,000 has been raised through community events, donations and grants. Topping this list is $100,000 from the Episcopal Diocese of New York, $25,000 from the New York Landmark Conservancy and $20,000 from state Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-Patterson from the 2008 state budget.<\/p>\n