Bavarian-born William Schickel designed it. He partnered with Isaac E. Ditmars and Hugo Kafka. The Church of the Most Precious Blood stands as a testament to faith and community. This church is located in Manhattan’s Little Italy. It is at 113 Baxter Street. There is an additional entrance on Mulberry Street. It has a rich history. It continues to serve its diverse congregation today.
The Church of the Most Precious Blood was established in 1888. It was made as a National Parish. This served the rapidly growing Italian immigrant population. They were not welcomed at other area churches. They had to worship in basements. The Scalabrini Fathers began building the church around 1891. They ran out of funds. The Franciscans took over the parish. They completed the church in 1904.
Located north of Five Points, it was in a rough neighborhood. Father Buonaventura Piscopo fought immoral behavior in the area. He received death threats in July 1898. The church has a strong connection to the Feast of San Gennaro. This is held yearly in September. A celebratory Mass is held at the Church of the Most Precious Blood on September 19. The statue of San Gennaro then goes through Little Italy’s streets.
Most Precious Blood is home to several vibrant religious societies. These include the Community of Sant Egidio and the San Angelo Society. The Vietnamese congregation has grown. The Church houses the Vietnamese Arts and Learning Cultural Center.
The Saint Rocco of Potenza Society was founded in 1889. It was at the now-demolished St. Joachim’s Church. It moved to St. Joseph Church. In 2015 St. Joseph’s merged with the Church of the Transfiguration. The Society is now based at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood.
The Franciscans left Most Precious Blood in March 2014 because of manpower shortages. It came under diocesan administration. In 2015, the church became part of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral parish. Mass is celebrated at Most Precious Blood on Wednesdays and Sundays. The parish rectory on Mulberry Street was for sale in 2018.
The church became one of the sites of the Holy Doors. This was during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. It was from December 8, 2015, to November 20, 2016.
William Schickel & Company designed the church. It is an Italian Franciscan style structure. Borgia Marble Works of New York made the marble main and side altars. The interior has a Neapolitan Baroque style. Donatus Buongiorno created thirty oil painting murals for the walls and ceiling. The Gargiulo Brothers Construction Company renovated the building in 1995. They repaired water damage and general disrepair. Archbishop John Cardinal O’Connor re-consecrated the Church on February 7, 1997.
Initially, the Feast of San Gennaro was observed every September 19. The event grew over the years. It now includes a procession and an 11-day street fair.
The church was fully renovated in 1995. The beautiful paintings were restored by professional artists.
The Church of the Most Precious Blood stands as a beacon of faith. It shows the resilience and devotion of its community. Its history and architecture attract and inspire all who enter its doors.