Merit Citations were presented to Assemblymember Pete Grannis and Herbert E. Berman, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), in recognition of their support on the project.

“The restoration of the tower and rose window of this historic chapel and vibrant community center is the culmination of a dedicated preservation effort made possible through funding by Assemblymember Pete Grannis and the support of Herb Berman, who both recognized the immense value that Good Shepherd held for the Roosevelt Island community and for the City of New York,” said Peg Breen, President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy.  “The Landmarks Conservancy is proud to have managed the restoration and we look forward to playing a role in future projects in this very important, ongoing campaign.”

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd was constructed in 1888 on the grounds of the New York City almshouse on Blackwell’s Island by British architect Frederick Clarke Withers.  In the 1970s, when the Island was redeveloped as Roosevelt Island, the Chapel was renovated by architect Giorgio Cavaglieri, who had renovated the Jefferson Market Courthouse, another Frederick Clarke Withers building.  By 1995, repairs were needed.  Architectural conservator William J. Stivale identified several problem areas.

The funding process began in 1997, when Grannis allocated several grants toward restoration. From 1997 to 2002, Grannis and the New York State Legislature directed funds totaling $330,000 to the New York Landmarks Conservancy for the restoration work.  RIOC contributed an additional $24,000 to the project.

Construction began in July 2003, and was completed in May 2004.  The tower and rose window restoration included:

• Dismantling and rebuilding the top six feet of the spire to repair and replace delaminating brownstone.

• Cleaning and repair of masonry and brownstone trim at the bell tower and spire.

• Regrouting brownstone masonry at the spire interior.

• Fabrication and installation of new spire-lighting protection and new lead-coated copper flashing and weather protection at the apex of the spire.

• Removal of the stained-glass rose window for cleaning, restoration, and re-leading at the Gil Studio in Brooklyn.