St. John’s Church announced Thursday they are no longer moving forward with a plan to shelter asylum seekers at the Canterbury House senior residence on Staten Island.

In a statement, the Rev. Hank Tuell of St. John’s said they received threats about their plan.

“While we were working to fulfill our duty to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and welcome the stranger, I received disturbing threats from anti-immigrant groups, who were sadly encouraged by several of our officials. Our commitment to serving those in need remains steadfast, and we will continue outreach programs that focus on providing assistance to those facing hunger, offering care to the sick, and creating a welcoming environment for all,” Tuell said.

Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Borough President Vito Fossella and others recently sent a letter to the church saying a shelter in the Canterbury House basement would violate several legal agreements and zoning and fire codes.

Malliotakis’ spokeswoman responded to Tuell’s statement Thursday, saying he mischaracterized the officials opposed to the plan.

“We take exception to his mischaracterization that those opposed to his plan are anti-immigrant. Those opposed are pro-legal immigration, pro-senior citizen and pro-taxpayer,” Malliotakis’ spokeswoman Natalie Baldassarre said.

The congresswoman herself put out a statement reveling in the news of the canceled plans.

“I’m pleased that after expressing our concerns that its plan to house migrants would violate New York City Building laws, FDNY code and a lease agreement with the state, St. John’s has decided to not move forward with housing migrants at Canterbury House. This is great news for the community, but most importantly for the senior citizens who deserve to have their space and residence preserved,” Malliotakis said.

Current residents of the Canterbury House had also expressed discontent over sharing space with migrants, although the priest had said the facility would have been separate from the Canterbury House spaces, and residents would not have been displaced.

The original plan would have placed the migrants in the church parish hall. According to the church’s website, Eccleston Hall is located in the Canterbury House basement and where most of St. John’s events take place.

The church had previously expressed that it had a moral and ethical obligation to help those in crisis and said they will continue to help those in need.

“We will continue to embody the principles of love, understanding, and service that define our spiritual journey - including forgiving those who attacked our community for trying to care for our new neighbors,” Tuell said.