A photo montage from Saint Paul and Saint Andrew United Methodist Church in New York City shows work beginning to replace its historic Spanish-tile roof. (UM Insight Screenshot from SPSA flyer)
Special to United Methodist Insight | May 6, 2026
NEW YORK, NY – As the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (SPSA) marks 191 years of faithful witness and community outreach in New York City and nearly 130 years at its Upper West Side location at 86th and West End, the congregation is inviting its Upper West Side neighbors and all New Yorkers to help ensure the work continues.
The Spanish-tiled roof of the landmarked building — which also houses the West Side Campaign Against Hunger and provides space for a variety of social service, arts and education programs — is being replaced. The church has been actively fundraising for the past two years and has raised nearly $5 million so far for this project. With the cost of the replacement tiles ($500,000) still needed, the church has launched a “Sponsor-a-Tile” campaign.
Roughly 30,000 tiles are needed to strengthen the roof that protects the church’s worship, music, and service activities, such as the “Miracle Mondays” assistance to new immigrants, and tutoring for schoolchildren, according to the Rev. James “K” Karpen.
To highlight the building’s role in social outreach and importance to the broader community, St. Paul and St. Andrew’s “Sponsor-a-Tile” initiative allows individuals to dedicate one or more tiles for the restored roof. The tiles can include a physical inscription of prayer, gratitude, or love and will function as a time capsule of sorts. The inscription will be made on each tile before it becomes part of the roof.
Donations for the tile fundraiser can be made through the St. Paul and St. Andrew website. Suggested donations start at $100 a tile, but there also is a “pay what you can” option.
Jo Goodman, who chairs the building committee at St. Paul and St. Andrew, said the church has received the first delivery of tiles, with the remainder to be delivered in coming months.
The old tiles have been removed and a few of the nearly 130-year-old beams needed to be replaced, Ms. Goodman explained. A layer of plywood has been added, followed by a waterproof covering. The installation of the new tiles is expected to begin soon.
Additional Information: Full case statement and project details: https://stpaulandstandrew.org/now-is-the-time/