Villager photo by Jefferson Siegel
Early Tuesday morning, a 150-year-old oak tree collapsed in the yard of St. Mark’s Church at E. 10th St. and Second Ave. According to Father Julio Torres, no graves were disturbed, although an underground brick wall that surrounds the underground vaults was visible inside the large hole. Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of New Amsterdam, is buried in one vault beneath the church, which was his former family chapel. The heavy overnight rains and erosion are believed to be the cause of the collapse.
“I hope we can get some help in getting something replanted,” Father Torres said, standing by the gaping hole early Tuesday afternoon. “St. Mark’s is a haven of peace and tranquility, so we hope that we can fix this soon so we can continue to provide that kind of space.”
Workers planned to temporarily cover the hole with wooden two-by-fours. The tree stood near a stone fountain from which horses used to drink.
Arborist Fernando Morales said the trees on the church’s property were last examined 15 years ago.
