Landmark application for church withdrawn

The East Norwich Civic Association has withdrawn one of two applications for landmark status scheduled to be heard by the Town of Oyster Bay Landmarks Preservation Commission on Aug. 24.

The group halted its nomination for the Community United Methodist Church in East Norwich, but is pushing ahead with its nomination for the former Maine Maid Inn in Jericho.

"The church just doesn't want to move forward with it at this time," association president Matthew Meng said. "Without the church's approval, it's not going to go anywhere. To maintain harmony, the civic association felt it would be appropriate to withdraw the application until such time that the church is ready to embrace landmarking."

Church officials opposed landmark status for the 1901 structure at an initial application hearing last month. The church has agreed to let Verizon install a cellular antenna in the steeple and church leaders fear landmark status could block the project.

Though the town rejected the Verizon application several months ago, the company is pursuing the permit through the courts.

"It was a good outcome," said Kathy Nastri, head of the church trustees. "Both sides have really gotten together and tried to find some common ground. It's really not the right time for us."

She added that church leaders remain interested in making sure the church is preserved for the future."The Maine Maid Inn is very different than the church," Meng said. "The landlord is in a foreclosure process and there's significantly more history than the church has."

The now vacant inn, built in 1789, is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The Aug. 24 meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Town Board Hearing Room at 54 Audrey Ave. in Oyster Bay.