Neighbors say historic Westchester Square church is site of homeless encampment
News 12 walked through the cemetery at St. Peter’s Church, where the gate was wide open, and signs of people living on the property were clearly visible.
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Neighbors in Westchester Square say a historic church property has turned into a homeless encampment.
News 12 walked through the cemetery at St. Peter’s Church, where the gate was wide open and signs of people living on the property were visible. Trash, food containers and blankets were scattered throughout the cemetery, and some appeared to be sheltering inside mausoleums.
Several families said they have relatives buried there and are heartbroken by what they are seeing. One woman said people were living on top of her mother’s grave.
“I think it’s awful," said Patrick Vecchio, whose brother used to be homeless and frequented the spot. "I’ve tried calling the church many times…finally got a call back from a woman who works there. But it’s horrible — somebody should step in. It’s disgusting. Someone should find out why St. Peter's isn’t policing their own property, having security, doing something.”
The church’s website says it recently reopened and is holding Sunday services at 10 a.m.
Neighbors said they are not trying to push people out but want help for those living on the property, especially as temperatures drop.
The concerns come as Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani discusses new plans aimed at getting people off the streets and into shelters and permanent housing.
Juan Rivera, associate vice president of homeless services at BronxWorks, a local nonprofit that provides outreach and housing support, said it won’t be easy.
“For our street homeless population, it really needs to be supportive housing where there are services on site because folks are still going to need all those connections,” he said. “The more boots on the ground, the better. Like I'm always about like, hey if we can get more, you know more staff, more case managers and more outreach workers, things like that, those are always, you know, things that I would love for any mayor to help us out with."
News 12 reached out to the Episcopal Diocese of New York, which oversees the property. A spokesperson said, “This week, the Quality of Life team from NYPD’s 45th Precinct will be moving the three unhoused people from the property, and connecting them with the health services that they need. The Sanitation Department and our team will then go in and clean up the area.”
