How often does a church become a community’s cornerstone? Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church stands here a testament to faith and unity. It is located in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan. This Roman Catholic parish has served New York City since 1927.
The parish was established that year. A church building soon followed. Gustave E. Steinback designed it. Construction finished in 1928 at a cost of $160,000. That would be about $2.7 million today.
Consider the vision of those early parishioners. They sought more than just a place to worship. They wanted a community hub. Our Lady Queen of Martyrs became exactly that.
In 1932, the church started a temporary school in the rectory. Plans arose for a permanent school building. The Great Depression delayed these plans. However, in 1934, an auditorium and temporary classrooms appeared.
The commitment to education grew stronger. Steinback designed a four-story school building. It was built from 1949 to 1950. The construction cost $400,000 which would be about $4.9 million today.
Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart originally staffed the school. They served from 1932 until 1980. Lay teachers have staffed it since then.
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs offers various services. Mass is held in Spanish several times a week. Confessions are heard on Saturdays. The church stands at the intersection of Arden Street and Dongan Place.
Interestingly, the original white chapel was built in 1916. It was located at Ascan Avenue and Queens Boulevard. Monsignor Joseph McLaughlin, the founding pastor, began planning the parish. He opened the school in 1928. A decade later, he announced plans for a new church. The present-day church opened on November 5, 1939.
Some say that Our Lady Queen of Martyrs church building was modeled after the English Gothic cathedral at Durham. The church remains a beacon. It symbolizes the enduring spirit of its community. Our Lady Queen of Martyrs continues to serve. It offers solace, education, and a sense of belonging to all who enter its doors.