Universal Church of the Kingdom of God Seeks Expansion and Parking Addition in Woodside

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, a Pentecostal congregation located at 68-03 Roosevelt Ave. in Woodside, has submitted plans to significantly expand its facilities. The church seeks a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to construct a five-story building, replacing its current one-story structure. The proposed expansion would increase the building’s size from 45 feet to 79 feet and provide approximately 67,000 square feet of space. The new structure would include offices, classrooms, worship areas, rectories, and conference rooms, as well as three parking decks designed to accommodate 100 vehicles.

The church first filed for expansion in July 2015, according to records with the Department of Buildings. Jessica Rubenstein, assistant to land-use lawyer Eric Palatnik, explained that a variance is necessary to allow the congregation to build a larger structure. Rubenstein noted that the “rapidly growing congregation” requires a larger building to meet its “programmatic needs.” She emphasized that the church intends to remain in its current location, viewing it as a “religious and spiritual anchor in the community.”

Community Board 2 (CB 2) will hold a public hearing on September 27 to discuss the variance. Denise Keehan-Smith, chairperson of CB 2, expressed concerns about the proposed size of the new building. She stated that the structure would “overshadow the other houses within the backyard area” and raised questions about its scale. “I think it’s going to be really massive,” she said, noting her concerns as a local resident.

The church’s expansion plans have drawn attention due to its global presence and history of controversy. The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, based in São Paulo, Brazil, has branches worldwide and has been involved in various legal issues. In 2010, the church’s New York treasurer, who managed the Woodside and Boerum Hill locations, was arrested on fraud charges. Regina DeSilva, the treasurer, was accused of lying to the Attorney General’s office and Manhattan judges when securing 11 mortgage loans totaling $22 million.

The church’s leadership has consistently maintained that its expansion is necessary to support its growing congregation and community outreach. While the exact number of attendees is not confirmed, Rubenstein stated that about 900 people attend services. The church’s representatives have not been available to comment on the expansion plans at press time. The proposed development reflects the church’s broader efforts to adapt to its expanding influence and needs.

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