Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church

Whispers of faith and echoes of history converge at Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church. Here on Hendrickson Street, a towering testament to devotion rises 155 feet, a beacon amidst the Brooklyn landscape. Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church began humbly as a mission of Holy Cross Church in the town of Flatlands. In 1884, construction began on a modest wooden church on Flatbush Avenue. The church opened its doors in January 1885, and Bishop Loughlin dedicated it later that year. The parish served a wide area. Its boundaries stretched north to Holy Cross, east to Holy Family in Canarsie, west to Saint Mark’s, and south to Jamaica Bay. Life in Flatlands moved at a slower pace in those days. Parishioners often walked across fields or rode by horse and carriage to attend Mass. Even in 1920, Flatlands retained its rural charm. Farmhouses, barns, and stables dotted the landscape. As the area grew, so did Saint Thomas Aquinas. In 1924, St. Thomas Aquinas School opened on Flatlands Avenue. The present Saint Thomas Aquinas Church was completed in 1930. Its dedication by Bishop Thomas Molloy took place in 1932. The original wooden church on Flatbush Avenue, affectionately nicknamed the “Little Church”, was converted into a gymnasium. Later, in the 1950s, the Little Church once again hosted Masses. However, the 1930 church building faced challenges. An underground stream beneath the church compromised its structure. This necessitated reconstruction and modernization in 1969. The church’s musical heritage is rich and vibrant. The original 1930 Kilgen organ boasted three manuals, 34 registers, 26 stops, and 26 ranks. Over the years, the organ underwent several transformations, including the addition of an Echo division in 1931 and the installation of electronic organs by Rodgers Instruments and Allen Organ Company. Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church has witnessed decades of change. From a rural community to its inclusion in the bustling metropolis of New York City, the church has remained a steadfast presence on Hendrickson Street. Its journey is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the evolving needs of a community.