The priceless Nicoll Memorial Window has gone missing without explanation
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Anglican Watch
May 14, 2026
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 14, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — Anglican Watch, a leading church watchdog group, came out swinging today after learning that New York Episcopal Bishop Matthew Heyd is trying to sell the deconsecrated historic church of St. Thomas, located in New Windsor, NY. The church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the first example of Medieval English-style architecture in the United States.
Additionally, the organization is deeply concerned about the fate of the church’s priceless and hauntingly beautiful Nicoll Memorial Window, given in memory of Dr. Leonard Francis Nicoll, who died in 1906 at age 31 of typhoid fever. Although online ads include the Nicoll Memorial Window in photos of the property and offer no disclaimers that it is not part of the sale, the window has mysteriously vanished without explanation.
Anglican Watch believes the Diocese of New York and Matthew Heyd may be trying to sell the window separately, without discussing it with Nicoll’s possible descendants or making any efforts to preserve the historic window or the church itself.
Moreover, ads for the sale of the historic church property make clear that anyone who buys it can tear it down and, as of right, replace it with a commercial use.
“We are shocked and appalled that there is zero communication about these issues, and the church’s patrimony is up for sale to the highest possible bidder,” says Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti.
“Moreover, as a building with unique architectural and historic significance, St. Thomas should not be demolished to make way for a commercial property.
“We are also deeply concerned about the fate of the Nicoll Memorial Window,” Bonetti continues.
“It is inherently unethical to include the Nicoll Memorial Window in photos listing the property for sale, while quietly removing it, possibly for separate sale. And if Dr. Lowell has any living descendants, they would rightly be upset that his memorial is apparently being sold to the highest bidder.
“We call on the Diocese of New York and Bishop Matthew Heyd to immediately halt the proposed sale of the property and work with interested parties to protect this historically and architecturally significant property from possible demolition,” Bonetti adds.
SOURCE Anglican Watch
CONTACT: Eric Bonetti, 240-331-6977, eric@anglicanwatch.com