By Phil Corso
A church in Forest Hills will continue to celebrate its centennial this weekend with a concert honoring the building’s groundbreaking in 1938, and the celebration will also coincide with the recognition of a departing pastor’s 12 years of service.
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, at 110-06 Queens Blvd. in Forest Hills, will marks its 100th anniversary Sunday at 4 p.m. with help from music director and organist David Close. The program will also honor Monsignor Joseph Funaro.
“It’s very difficult to realize I’m retiring,” said Funaro, whose role has shifted to administrator of the parish. “But I am very grateful for the time I have had here and I am excited to continue my work as an administrator.”
According to Close, the program will include a choir performance of hits regularly performed during Sunday mass services in concert form. The singing will be accompanied by additional instruments and performers and is slated to be a major event for the congregation.
“We’re very excited and very busy,” Close said. “It’s a rather beautiful building to celebrate and we are all really proud of it.”
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
