St. Mary's Church (Manhattan)
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with St. Mary's Church, 69th Street (Manhattan)
The Church of St. Mary is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
, located at 438-440 Grand Street in the Lower East Side
of Manhattan
, New York City
. Established in 1826 to serve Irish immigrants living in the neighborhood, it is the third oldest Catholic parish in New York.
church on Sheriff Street. In 1831, anti-Catholic nativists
set fire to the church, but it was not completely destroyed and continued to operate. The first New York chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians
was established in 1836 partly in response.
In 1832 the cornerstone was laid for the present building, which was dedicated in June 1833. Originally designed in the Greek Revival style
, the facade was altered to Romanesque
by Patrick Keely
in 1864, and other changes were made by Lawrence O'Connor in 1871. The AIA Guide to New York City
(2010) states that it is "the second-oldest Roman Catholic church structure in all of the City (old St. Patrick's
was first:1815)—the somber gray ashlar rear portion, that is. The amusing red brick front and its twin spire
s are by the prolific architect Keely."
Irish-American prelate, the Rev. Michael McKenna (priest)
(died June 4, 1875), and who had ties to Irish nationalist movement, was assistant pastor here in 1868 before becoming the first pastor of the newly separated (from St. Mary's parish) parish of St. Rose of Lima
.
The Church of St. Mary is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
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 438-440 Grand Street in the Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
of 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...
. Established in 1826 to serve Irish immigrants living in the neighborhood, it is the third oldest Catholic parish in New York.
History
At first, services were held in a former PresbyterianPresbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
church on Sheriff Street. In 1831, anti-Catholic nativists
Nativism (politics)
Nativism favors the interests of certain established inhabitants of an area or nation as compared to claims of newcomers or immigrants. It may also include the re-establishment or perpetuation of such individuals or their culture....
set fire to the church, but it was not completely destroyed and continued to operate. The first New York chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians
Ancient Order of Hibernians
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is an Irish Catholic fraternal organization. Members must be Catholic and either Irish born or of Irish descent. Its largest membership is now in the United States, where it was founded in New York City in 1836...
was established in 1836 partly in response.
In 1832 the cornerstone was laid for the present building, which was dedicated in June 1833. Originally designed in the Greek Revival style
Greek Revival architecture
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
, the facade was altered to Romanesque
Romanesque 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...
by Patrick Keely
Patrick Keely
Patrick Charles Keely was an Irish-American architect based in Brooklyn, New York and Providence, Rhode Island...
in 1864, and other changes were made by Lawrence O'Connor in 1871. 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....
(2010) states that it is "the second-oldest Roman Catholic church structure in all of the City (old St. Patrick's
St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York
The Basilica of Saint Patrick's Old Cathedral, or Old St. Patrick's, is located at 260-264 Mulberry Street between Prince and Houston Streets in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, with the primary entrance currently located on Mott Street...
was first:1815)—the somber gray ashlar rear portion, that is. The amusing red brick front and its twin spire
Spire
A spire is a tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, particularly a church tower. Etymologically, the word is derived from the Old English word spir, meaning a sprout, shoot, or stalk of grass....
s are by the prolific architect Keely."
Irish-American prelate, the Rev. Michael McKenna (priest)
Michael McKenna (priest)
Michael McKenna was and Irish-American Roman Catholic prelate and first parish priest and from 1868 to 1875 of The old parish of St...
(died June 4, 1875), and who had ties to Irish nationalist movement, was assistant pastor here in 1868 before becoming the first pastor of the newly separated (from St. Mary's parish) parish of St. Rose of Lima
St. Rose of Lima's Old Church (New York City)
The Old Church of St. Rose of Lima is a former Roman Catholic parish church under the authority of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, located at 36 Cannon Street between Broome Street & Delancey Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. The rectory was located at 42 Cannon...
.