“This is good news for sure,” said Monika Judkins, South Bushwick Reformed Church’s music director.

Demolition had already begun, per Brownstoner, on South Bushwick Reformed Church (855 Bushwick Ave.) after a fire in June destroyed much of the main church. 

In an Instagram post, the Bushwick Historic Preservation Association stated that the “DOB reached out giving us another chance.” The group works to landmark buildings, and has been providing assistance to the church—Bushwick’s oldest building, dating to 1853—since the fire.

“News came through at 6pm,” said Dina Alfano, who runs the association. “We were all so discouraged. What a contrast in 24 hours.”

A demolition might’ve impeded an investigation into the fire, which members of the church and greater community found suspicious. Further reports had surfaced “suspicious behavior” near the church, shortly before flames engulfed it. 

Those suspicions have been seemingly confirmed by the Fire Department of New York, who now say the fire has “incendiary” origins and that “the investigation is ongoing.”

Now the fire can be investigated, and the church may be able to maintain the rectory on Himrod, which was damaged by the fire.

In a summer of struggling nonprofits, the church’s story could be changing. “We are hopeful,” said Judkins.