Celebrating repairs to its sanctuary, St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church honors two community leaders
St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church honored two community leaders at its Second Annual New Heights gala. This year, the parish could again hold the benefit in its own sanctuary and parish hall after a long period of repairs and renovations to both. Last year’s event was held at the Brooklyn Historical Society, which was an apt venue, as the church has a long history in the neighborhood.
The program began with a short video with the parish’s rector the Rev. John E. Denaro and videographer Paul Kaup, in which Denaro expressed the angst that many clergy feel when having to balance the pastoral needs of their communities with the responsibility of maintaining large, aging buildings. This year’s event featured bluegrass music by Little Nora Jones and Friends, St. Ann’s organist Gregory D’Agostino, and Madhattan, a contemporary New York City barbershop quartet performing in several jazz, R&B, musical theatre, rock and pop numbers.
The recipients of this year’s Spirit & Service Award were Dr. Evelyn Castro, dean of the School of Professional and Community Development at Medgar Evers College; and Christopher Thomas, executive vice president and managing director of sales for Brooklyn at Brown Harris Stevens Real Estate.