Haven’t you heard that Harry Connick Jr. once played piano here? That was before he was famous. Welcome to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. It is a parish church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. The church is located at 230 East 90th Street in Manhattan. Our Lady of Good Counsel Church has been a spiritual beacon since its completion in 1892.
Let’s step back in time to the late 19th century. New York City was experiencing a surge in population. Many residents moved northward. Yorkville attracted German and Irish families. This area extended from 59th to 96th Street. It stretched from the East River to Fifth Avenue. Laborers found work at breweries and the Steinway Piano Factory. The influx of Catholics strained the existing church. That was St. Lawrence O’Toole. New churches became essential.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church was established in 1886. Thomas H. Poole designed it. The church’s address in 1892 was 236 East 90th Street. The stone exterior features crenellated coping and turrets. These elements echo the Calvary Squadron A Armory. The armory stood on Madison Avenue.
Inside Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, you find an ornate interior. Lacy gothic details adorn the space. Galleries line three sides. Beautiful stained glass windows capture the light.
The original organ was built in 1891. Hook and Hastings of Boston created it. This mechanical action organ had 41 stops and 50 ranks. By 1957, this Hook and Hastings organ was removed. In 1959-60, the Kilgen Organ Company installed a new organ. This electro-pneumatic action organ had 28 registers and 19 ranks. It was placed behind the original organ cases.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church has served its community for over a century. It continues to offer solace and spiritual guidance. The church stands as a testament to faith. It reflects the architectural styles of its time. From its striking exterior to its ornate interior, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church invites reflection. Its history resonates with the stories of immigrants and musicians. The echoes of Harry Connick Jr.’s early melodies linger in the air. Our Lady of Good Counsel Church remains a treasure.