J. Gerald Phelan
Encyclopedia
J. Gerald Phelan was a U.S. architect
and corporate executive who was very active throughout the Eastern part of the United States throughout the middle part of the 20th Century.
and received his architectural training from the Pratt Institute
in Brooklyn, New York, (class of 1913) after which he worked for two years as a designer for A. C. Kelley and Co, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
engineering firm of Fletcher Thompson in 1916 as a draftsman and worked his way up to managing principal in 1931. He later become the firm's president and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1970.
Pratt Institute’s J. Gerald Phelan Award for Architecture is named in his honor.
for whom he had designed 10 buildings over the years. He was also awarded the Alumnus of the Year award from the Pratt Institute.
(AIA) and served as the president of the Connecticut Chapter between 1942 and 1943.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and corporate executive who was very active throughout the Eastern part of the United States throughout the middle part of the 20th Century.
Childhood and architectural training
Phelan was born in Bridgeport, ConnecticutBridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
and received his architectural training from the Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private art college in New York City located in Brooklyn, New York, with satellite campuses in Manhattan and Utica. Pratt is one of the leading undergraduate art schools in the United States and offers programs in Architecture, Graphic Design, History of Art and Design,...
in Brooklyn, New York, (class of 1913) after which he worked for two years as a designer for A. C. Kelley and Co, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Fletcher Thompson
He joined the Bridgeport, ConnecticutBridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
engineering firm of Fletcher Thompson in 1916 as a draftsman and worked his way up to managing principal in 1931. He later become the firm's president and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1970.
Pratt Institute’s J. Gerald Phelan Award for Architecture is named in his honor.
Honorary degree and honors
In 1969 Phelan was awarded a Doctor of Arts honorary degree from Fairfield UniversityFairfield University
Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
for whom he had designed 10 buildings over the years. He was also awarded the Alumnus of the Year award from the Pratt Institute.
Personal life
Phelan was a long time member of the American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
(AIA) and served as the president of the Connecticut Chapter between 1942 and 1943.
Connecticut
- Ascension Church, Hamden, CT (with Robert H. Mutrux, AIA)
- Blessed Sacrament ChurchBlessed Sacrament Church (Bridgeport, Connecticut)Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic church in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the Diocese of Bridgeport, it was designed by architect J. Gerald Phelan.- External links :* * *...
, Bridgeport, CT - Fairfield UniversityFairfield UniversityFairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
. Fairfield, CT (at least 10 buildings) - Holy Family Church, Fairfield, CTHoly Family Church (Fairfield, Connecticut)Holy Family is a Roman Catholic parish in Fairfield, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.- History:The Parish was founded in 1938. The present Gothic Revival church was designed by noted church architect J. Gerald Phelan.- External links :*...
* St. Ann Church, Bridgeport, CT - St. James Church, Rocky Hill, CT
- St. James Church, Stratford, CT
- St. Jerome Church, New Britain, CT
- St. Lawrence Church, Shelton, CT
- St. Mary Church, East Hartford, CT (with Robert H, Mutrux, AIA)
- St. Pius X ChurchSt. Pius X Church (Fairfield, Connecticut)St. Pius X is a Roman Catholic church in Fairfield, Connecticut in the Diocese of Bridgeport. The present Colonial-style church was designed by J. Gerald Phelan.- External links :* *...
, Fairfield, CT - St. Rose of Lima Church, East hartford, Connecticut
- St. Theresa ChurchSt. Theresa Church (Trumbull, Connecticut)St. Theresa Parish is a Roman Catholic church in Trumbull, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.- History :This is the largest Catholic Parish in Trumbull. The cathedral-like church of granite and limestone was designed by noted church architect J. Gerald Phelan in 1961...
, Trumbull, CT - Our Lady of the Assumption ChurchOur Lady of the Assumption Church (Fairfield, Connecticut)Our Lady of the Assumption is a Roman Catholic church in Fairfield, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.- History:The Parish was founded in 1922. The present Norman Gothic Revival church was designed and erected between 1939 and 1940 by noted church architect J. Gerald Phelan.- External...
, Fairfield, CT - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Washington Depot, Connecticut
- St. Francia of Assisi Church, South Windsor, ConnecticutSouth Windsor, Connecticut-History:In 1659, Thomas Burnham purchased the tract of land now covered by the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford from Tantinomo, chief sachem of the Podunk Indians. Burnham lived on the land and later willed it to his nine children...
Massachusetts
- St. Catherine of Sienna Church, Springfield, MA
New Jersey
- Seton Hall UniversitySeton Hall UniversitySeton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
South Orange, NJ (3 buildings) - St. John Vianney Church Colonia, New JerseyColonia, New JerseyColonia Colonia Colonia (is a census-designated place and unincorporated area within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 17,811....
- St. Philomena Church, Livingston, NJ (with George N. Overath AIA and J. P. Boulanger)