Church of the Redeemer | Iglesia del Redentor

101 years of living

Born: Macon, Georgia  but raised in Haarlem, New York

Favorite food: She lives on chocolate.

She came to Redeemer during Father Norris tenure over 50 years ago, she was the first black person to set foot in the church and by her own words "people were very nice to her" . Fr. Norris first and then his wife after he passed on sent her Christmas cards every year.

Wilhelmina comes faithfully to Church every Sunday and Wednesday and on her 101 birthday accepted the challenge by Fr Quevedo to ride his bike. She is a delightfull grand lady, used to be a model and seamstress with a very clear sense of elegance and glamour.

The Church of the Redeemer was founded in 1866, shortly after the draft riots in the city of New York. Our masses are in Spanish and English. We run daily community programs September through May, which are free and open to all. Redeemer provides meeting space for 12-step meetings year-round. The Church and garden are open to all most of the day.

Children here are not an inconvenience; they are always welcome at Mass and they participate in it. For the last four years we have been running a religious education program for children called "Godly Play" based upon Montessori principles. We believe children have a fresher and more intimate awareness of the Divine, and there is much to learn from them.

Feel free to visit us any time!