Archdiocese of New York clergy, executives, and staff gathered one final time at St. John the Evangelist Church at the New York Catholic Center on Wednesday, May 28, to bid farewell to the archdiocese’s home of more than 50 years.

Following the sale of the building at 1011 First Avenue (1011) in October 2024, the archdiocese will move its headquarters to 488 Madison Avenue on Monday, June 9. Some departments will relocate to other offices around the area.

Monsignor Joseph LaMorte, vicar general of the archdiocese, served as the principal celebrant for the Mass. Monsignor Douglas Mathers, pastor of St. John the Evangelist, was among the concelebrants.

In his homily, Monsignor LaMorte addressed the feelings of many of the archdiocesan staff regarding the upcoming move. “In answer to the question somebody asked me before we began, ‘Are you sad?’ I guess we’re sad, a little bit, that we take leave of a place that we have performed in for 52 years in 1011, and many, many experiences that people have gone through in this particular building. Going away from a familiar place and going off to something brand new—there is some anticipation in that, and a little bit of anxiety too, because we don’t know what it’s going to be like. But we know it’s going to be fine when we arrive at our new home on Madison Avenue, right by the spires of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and we continue to do the important work that each of us has been called to do,” he said.

Monsignor LaMorte thanked John Cahill, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York, and Frank Napolitano, Chief Administrative Officer, for suggesting a final Mass at 1011. He also expressed his gratitude to the many vendors who served and supported the operations at the New York Catholic Center.

Also in his homily, Monsignor LaMorte recalled Bishop Gerald Walsh, who entered eternal life earlier in May. “He started here as Father Walsh, working with Catholic Charities. He came and went from this building, and then in his latter years, as a bishop, served as the Vicar for Clergy and the Vicar General for Manhattan and many other important roles,” Monsignor LaMorte said, adding, “We’re grateful for the opportunity again just to keep him in mind and remember him as we come together for the last time. He leaves this familiar world, as all the deceased do, and he goes to the reward of heaven. And that is a necessary reminder for all of us.”

Following the Mass, 1011 staff gathered for a reception in the ninth-floor cafeteria.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan announced in January 2024 that the archdiocese would move its headquarters from the 1011 site. In October 2024, the sale of the building to the Warburton Group was confirmed.

The new archdiocesan headquarters, at 488 Madison Avenue, is on the north side of East 51^st Street in Manhattan across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral.