Church of the Guardian Angel (New York City)
Encyclopedia
The Church of the Guardian Angel is a Roman Catholic church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
, located at 193 West 21st Street at Tenth Avenue, Chelsea
, Manhattan
, New York City
, New York
.
brick church at 193 West 23rd Street and Tenth Avenue was built 1930 to the designs of John Van Pelt of Van Pelt, Hardy & Goubert. Plan were filed in 1929, and it was likely begun that year. Stylistically, it is similar to Van Pelt's other churches in Manhattan and the Bronx. The church design "is reminiscent of the early Romanesque sculpture at the abbey of Moissac
. Both churches have a scalloped profile that seems to incorporate a bit of Moorish influence. Both the human and animal forms are treated with the same incredible flexibility...." The AIA Guide to New York City
(1988) writes "The church's simple brick and limestone Southern Sicilian Romanesque facade merges with the Tuscan village forms of auxiliary buildings to the north in a well- related group." AIA Guide to New York City
(2010) describes the church as "lush brick and limestone, Italian Romanesque, backed up snug against the High Line. Despite the obvious difference in style and materials, the two were built around the same time."
The parish was founded to minister to workers at the bustling waterfront piers on the nearby Hudson River. A new church was completed in 1910 to the designs of George H. Streeton
also at 513 West 23rd Street, replacing the 1888 church building. "In 1911, a parochial school was opened." In 1914, the following was reported: "The Catholic population numbers 3,000, and the church property is valued at $60,000, all out of debt."
That area's redevelopment in the 1930s with the construction of the elevated freight railroad, the Highline, by the New York Central Railroad
necessitated the church's removal. Similar to the story of nearby St. Michael
, the church's demolition and removal for redevelopment in the interests of a railroad were allegedly paid for by that developing railroad, which in this case was the New York Central. The architecture of the new church (see Buildings section) both seemingly ignores and stands in stark contrast, almost antagonistically to that of the Highline, perhaps reflecting this early relationship.
Although threatened with closure, the Archdiocese announced on January 19, 2007 that Guardian Angel would retain its parish status.
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York covers New York, Bronx, and Richmond counties in New York City , as well as Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties in New York state. There are 480 parishes...
, located at 193 West 21st Street at Tenth Avenue, Chelsea
Chelsea, Manhattan
Chelsea is a neighborhood on the West Side of the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The district's boundaries are roughly 14th Street to the south, 30th Street to the north, the western boundary of the Ladies' Mile Historic District – which lies between the Avenue of the Americas and...
, Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Buildings
The present Southern Sicilian Romanesque-styleRomanesque Revival architecture
Romanesque Revival is a style of building employed beginning in the mid 19th century inspired by the 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture...
brick church at 193 West 23rd Street and Tenth Avenue was built 1930 to the designs of John Van Pelt of Van Pelt, Hardy & Goubert. Plan were filed in 1929, and it was likely begun that year. Stylistically, it is similar to Van Pelt's other churches in Manhattan and the Bronx. The church design "is reminiscent of the early Romanesque sculpture at the abbey of Moissac
Moissac
Moissac is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in southern France. It is famous world-wide mostly for the artistic heritage handed down by the ancient Saint-Pierre Abbey.-History:...
. Both churches have a scalloped profile that seems to incorporate a bit of Moorish influence. Both the human and animal forms are treated with the same incredible flexibility...." The AIA Guide to New York City
AIA Guide to New York City
Authored by Norval White and Elliot Willensky, The AIA Guide to New York City is an extensive catalogue with descriptions, critique and photographs of significant and noteworthy architecture throughout the five boroughs of New York City....
(1988) writes "The church's simple brick and limestone Southern Sicilian Romanesque facade merges with the Tuscan village forms of auxiliary buildings to the north in a well- related group." AIA Guide to New York City
AIA Guide to New York City
Authored by Norval White and Elliot Willensky, The AIA Guide to New York City is an extensive catalogue with descriptions, critique and photographs of significant and noteworthy architecture throughout the five boroughs of New York City....
(2010) describes the church as "lush brick and limestone, Italian Romanesque, backed up snug against the High Line. Despite the obvious difference in style and materials, the two were built around the same time."
Parish history
The parish was founded in 1888 by the Rev. William A. O'Neill, who remained pastor until 1895 when he was transferred to St. Ann's as rector. The first church was dedicated June 10, 1888 by Bishop Conroy. The address for the first church was located at 513 West 23rd Street, as recorded in 1892.The parish was founded to minister to workers at the bustling waterfront piers on the nearby Hudson River. A new church was completed in 1910 to the designs of George H. Streeton
George H. Streeton
George H. Streeton, AIA, was an American architect who worked in New York during the first half of the twentieth century, primarily for Roman Catholic clients.-Early life and education:...
also at 513 West 23rd Street, replacing the 1888 church building. "In 1911, a parochial school was opened." In 1914, the following was reported: "The Catholic population numbers 3,000, and the church property is valued at $60,000, all out of debt."
That area's redevelopment in the 1930s with the construction of the elevated freight railroad, the Highline, by the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
necessitated the church's removal. Similar to the story of nearby St. Michael
St. Michael's Church (Manhattan)
The Church of St. Michael is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, located at 424 West 34th Street, Manhattan, New York City.In 1892, the address was listed at 408 W 32nd Street.- References :...
, the church's demolition and removal for redevelopment in the interests of a railroad were allegedly paid for by that developing railroad, which in this case was the New York Central. The architecture of the new church (see Buildings section) both seemingly ignores and stands in stark contrast, almost antagonistically to that of the Highline, perhaps reflecting this early relationship.
Although threatened with closure, the Archdiocese announced on January 19, 2007 that Guardian Angel would retain its parish status.
Pastors
- 1888-1895: Rev. William A. O'Neill, transferred 1895 as rector of St. Ann's
- 1895-1909: Rev. John C. Henry, former pastor of St. Mary’s Church., he had been assisted until 1904 by the Rev. Anthony J. Morgan (transferred to the Mission of Our Lady of the RosaryOur Lady of the Holy Rosary's Church (New York City)The Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, located at 7 State Street, between Pearl St. and Water Streets, Financial District, Manhattan, New York City, New York. The parish is home to the National Shrine of St...
), replaced by the Rev. Francis A. Kiniry. - 1909-1930: Rev. James R. Raywood (c.1855-Apr 6, 1930), a former assistant at St. Columba, a pastor of St. Mary’s Church (Newburg, New York), and founding pastor at a Monticello, New YorkMonticello, New YorkMonticello is a village located in the Town of Thompson in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 6,512 at the 2000 census. It is the seat for the Town of Thompson and the county seat of Sullivan County...
, parish. In 1914, Fr. Raywood was assisted by the Revs. Timothy J. O'Brien and Daniel J. Fant. - 1930-1934: Rev. Grogan (d.1934)
- 1934-?: Rev. John J. O'Donnell, former assistant at Holy Trinity ChurchHoly Trinity Church (Manhattan)The Church of the Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, located at 209 West 82nd Street near Amsterdam Avenue in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The parish was established in 1898.-Buildings:The church was built...
- Rev. Francis X. Quinn, assistant pastor in 1939 and 1940 who was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for bravery
- 2009-present: Msgr. Michael F. Hull, S.T.D. (also a Professor of Sacred Scripture at St. Joseph’s Seminary (Dunwoodie) in Yonkers, New YorkYonkers, New YorkYonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
, and a Censor LibrorumCensor LibrorumIn the Roman Catholic Church, the Censor Librorum is an ecclesiastical authority charged with reviewing texts and granting the nihil obstat. The Latin Censor Librorum translates as "censor of books."...
of the Archdiocese of New York, assisted by the Rev. Philip S. Phan (also Director of the Archdiocese's Vietnamese Apostolate).