50 Oldest Churches of NYC: Old Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

Posted on by Thor

The Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral, sometimes shortened to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral or simply Old St. Patrick’s, is a Catholic parish church, basilica, and the former cathedral of the Archdiocese of New York, located on Milberry and Prince in the Nolita neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, New York City.

The cathedral was designed by the same architect who designed New York City Hall, Joseph Francois Mangin. When completed in 1815, it was the largest Catholic church in the United States.

On April 23, 1861 there was a blessing of the colors of the “Fighting” 69th “Irish Brigade” regiment by Archbishop Hughes before the regiment set off for active duty in the Civil War. My 2nd Great Grandfather John Hickey served in the 69th and fought in the battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and .

A fire destroyed the interior of the Old Cathedral on October 6, 1866; it was rebuilt and re-opened on St. Patrick’s Day in 1868

On March 17, 1885, the debt of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral was finally paid off, and the church was consecrated.

The Old Cathedral and associated buildings are among the first sites to be designated as New York City landmarks in1966. Campus complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

50 Oldest Churches of NYC: Holy Cross Church

Posted on by Thor

Holy Cross Church is a Roman Catholic church located at 329 West 42nd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, near Times Square and across the street from the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

The Holy Cross Parish was established in 1852 and a chapel erected, which the congregation quickly outgrew. In 1854, a new building was constructed and dedicated, but lightning struck this second structure in 1867, and the ensuing fire severely damaged it.

The current church was constructed to a design by Henry Engelbert on the site of the damaged building and completed in 1870. This church is notable as the oldest building on 42nd Street.

The exterior of Holy Cross Church shows a red brick facade with flanking twin towers in an Italianate Gothic form.

Louis Comfort Tiffany designed the mosaics below the dome and in the sanctuary. Tiffany also designed the stained glass of the clerestory windows and wheel windows of the transepts.

Mass is celebrated in both English- and Spanish-language services. Holy Cross Church operates Crossroads Food Pantry, a food kitchen serving the poor and hungry.

The church houses an Aeolian-Skinner organ, which is located in the rear gallery in the choir loft. Installed in 1933 and completed in 1941 with the addition of a set of chimes. It replaced an organ built in 1882 by J.H. & C.S. Odell. The earliest organ, which had been built by Hall and Labagh in 1854, was destroyed in the fire of 1867.

Holy Cross Church is sometimes known informally as “Father Duffy’s Church”, after the Reverend Francis P. Duffy. Duffy served as Chaplain of the “Fighting Irish” 69th New York Regiment during World War I, and was decorated for his activities. This is fascinating to me since My great grandfather John HIckey fought with the 69th New York “Fighting Irish” regiment during the Civil War many years prior. He fought at Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Petersburg.  Joseph Corr died in 1880 and his wife was denied a military pension.

After WWI, in 1921, Francis P. Duffy was appointed Rector of Holy Cross. Later elevated to Pastor, Father Duffy served the church until his death in 1932.