In an irony that says much about the sad state of British multiculturalism, just a mile from where the mosque is due to go up, the Kingsway International Christian Centre, was demolished in 2007 on orders of the City of London to make way for the Olympic stadium.
Five years later, the British government has still not given the church permission to build a new worship center on a new site.
Decision Not to Rebuild Church Destroyed on 9/11 Surprises Greek Orthodox Leaders
Greek Orthodox leaders trying to rebuild the only church destroyed in the Sept. 11 terror attacks expressed shock this week after learning, via Fox News, that government officials had killed a deal to relocate the church.
The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, once a tiny, four-story building in the shadows of lower Manhattan, was destroyed in 2001 by one of the falling World Trade Center towers. Nobody from the church was hurt in the attack, but the congregation has, for the past eight years, been trying to rebuild its house of worship.
Though talks between the church and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stalled last year, church leaders say they’ve been trying to kick-start discussions ever since. But amid debate over whether a proposed Islamic community center should go forward near Ground Zero, government officials threw cold water on the prospect of any deal with the church — telling Fox News the deal is off the table.