Article By Frank Bergman
A historic Christian church has been reduced to rubble in New York City after a suspected arson attack triggered a devastating fire, fueling growing concern over a string of church blazes that has rocked NYC in recent months.
The destruction of the 172-year-old South Bushwick Reformed Church in Brooklyn is now the latest incident raising questions about whether Christian houses of worship are being deliberately targeted.
Investigators Probe Possible Arson
The June 19 blaze tore through South Bushwick Reformed Church, destroying its iconic steeple before the structure collapsed.
Built in 1853, the historic church suffered catastrophic damage.
The level of destruction is making it significantly more difficult for investigators to determine exactly how the fire began.
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage showing a person leaving the area shortly before the fire erupted, according to the New York Post.
Investigators have not ruled out arson.
The destruction comes amid a series of recent fires involving churches across New York City.
Queens Churches Targeted With Molotov Cocktails
On July 8, police arrested a 36-year-old man after he allegedly launched Molotov cocktails at two churches in Queens and another nearby building.
According to authorities, officers from the NYPD’s 102nd Precinct responded shortly before midnight.
They were responding to reports that a man had thrown an incendiary device at Iglesia Bautista El Mesias Church in Ozone Park.
Police allege the suspect targeted multiple locations before being taken into custody.
The suspect was caught on video throwing Molotov cocktails at the Iglesia Bautista El Mesias church and the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, both located in Queens, police said.
A man has been arrested for allegedly firebombing two New York City churches late Wednesday night. The suspect, identified only as a 36-year-old male, was caught on video throwing Molotov cocktails at the Iglesia Bautista El Mesias church and the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's… pic.twitter.com/mvAkurXU7R
— D. Scott @eclipsethis2003 (@eclipsethis2003) July 10, 2026
Earlier this year, another historic church was lost when a massive five-alarm fire destroyed a 138-year-old house of worship in Astoria.
That April fire also remains under investigation.
Mayor Faces Questions Over Silence
The succession of church fires has triggered growing criticism online, with many questioning why New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has remained publicly silent as multiple Christian churches have been destroyed or attacked.
Social media users have repeatedly pointed to the mayor’s lack of public statements addressing the incidents.
One widely shared post questioned why Mamdani had not commented on the fires.
Another simply remarked, “I wonder why.”
Not a single word from Mayor Mamdani on 4 recent "church fires" in NYC
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 12, 2026
I wonder why pic.twitter.com/I6QgjLhI5r
As investigators continue working to determine whether the Brooklyn fire was intentionally set, the destruction of another historic Christian landmark has intensified concerns that attacks on churches are becoming an increasingly troubling pattern across America’s largest city.
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