St. James of Jerusalem Church in Long Beach installs ADA-compliant elevator lift

A girl who used a wheelchair could only attend services at St. James of Jerusalem Church in Long Beach if they were held outside in the summer garden. If she wanted to worship inside, fellow parishioners and family members had to carry her up the front steps.

Her experience was shared by other parishioners with mobility challenges, helping spark a more than three-year effort to install a new hydraulic elevator. Parishioners and clergy leaders say the three-stop ADA-accessible lift will  create a more inclusive space for worship and community events.

The $114,000 project is being funded mostly via a Nassau County grant, with donations from the Long Beach community and parishioners. Construction began Aug. 4 and is expected to wrap up by Aug. 30 without interruptions to services.

"This is really about showing hospitality, keeping the front door open, but at the same time having the lift available for people who otherwise haven't been here in years," said the Rev. Michael Delaney, the congregation's vicar.

Church leaders realized some parishioners could no longer climb the steep set of eight stairs that lead into the church or the ones to the basement, where community events are held.

The new lift will be installed outside the church, to the left of the front steps.

Built in 1935, St. James of Jerusalem is the oldest church in Long Beach, said Elizabeth Hill, co-warden of the bishop's committee.

"Because it's only a block from the beach, they built the church rather high so there would never be a flood issue for the chapel," Hill said. "Anybody with a temporary or permanent disability had difficulty accessing both."

Church leaders considered other options, including a ramp, but with limited space on the property, they decided a compact accessibility lift was the best fix.

"I think it's answering the question: If all are welcome, why don't you have handicapped accessibility?" Delaney said. "We're serving the community, and we're giving them access which they may not have had in the past."

He said the project reflects the church's mission to inspire kindness and generosity.

"Who knows who else will see that we have this handicap lift and say, 'Oh my gosh, maybe I can go to church,' " he said.

Wendy Goldstein, co-warden of the bishop’s committee, who helped lead fundraising efforts, shared the meaning behind one particular donation.

John Robson, a former parish member whose late wife was unable to climb the church stairs, donated $1,000 in her memory.

Church leaders also hope the elevator will improve access to recovery programs held in the basement, including daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

"Some of those members have difficulty with the stairs and getting around," Delaney said. "I think it's going to make all the difference in the world."

Former State Assemb. Harvey Weisenberg, a lifelong Long Beach resident, donated $30,000 after seeing the challenges parishioners faced.

Weisenberg, 92, became an advocate for people with disabilities, inspired by his son, Ricky Weisenberg, who had cerebral palsy. Ricky Weisenberg died in 2024 at age 66, Newsday reported.

"My mission is helping people," Weisenberg said in a phone interview. "Long Beach is my home, and the people that live here are my family."

Church leaders said their next goal is to install accessible bathrooms using $23,600 raised from the project. Those upgrades would allow parishioners with mobility challenges to fully access every part of the building.