PRESERVATION ISSUES
ELMHURST ELKS LODGE SOLD
TO GROWING CHURCH GROUP
Despite Inside To Be Renovated, Outside Stays
by Rob MacKay
The Elmhurst Elks Lodge-which was once the largest such facility on the East Coast with 60 rooms, a ladies lounge and a 50-foot bar installed during Prohibition-has been acquired by a religious institution.
The New Life Fellowship Church, which had been a tenant at the 82-10 Queens Boulevard site for the past decade, bought the five-story, 66,000-square-foot building for $6.5 million on December 17.
As it has landmark status, city law requires that the 80-year-old building’s Italian Renaissance palazzo exterior stay the same. The elk statue that stands in front must remain, too.
New Life will renovate the bathrooms, create offices and bring the inside up to code first, informed Communications Coordinator Anthony DiMaio. The church will also improve the sanctuary, which draws about 800 members to two Sunday services.
"We’re not interested in having a bar and pub in the worship center," said DiMaio.
An existing medical clinic, outreach center and computer-learning academy run by New Life’s community development agency will be expanded.
Founded in 1987 in Corona, New Life now has around 2,000 attendees and five "church plants" in New York City. It also supports religious activity in the Philippines. Leaders stress the personal relationship with Jesus and are proud that members come from 63 different nationalities.
"Our decision to purchase [the Elks site] was like a match made in heaven because of our commitment to multi-culturalism," said DiMaio. "Elmhurst has the most diverse zip code in country."
Senior Pastor Peter Scazzero added: "We believe that God has called us to build a unique church family that bridges racial, cultural, economic and gender barriers. Elmhurst is the perfect place to do that with nearly 123 nations in the immediate neighborhood. Our church includes people from approximately 60-70 different nations. Our dream is that this facility will become a lighthouse to our city and in our world for married couples, singles, youth and children for generation to come."
