“Ever heard the one about the cat stuck in an organ?” That’s just a small taste of the stories Our Lady of Good Counsel Church holds. Here, at 230 East 90th Street, Manhattan, stands a testament to faith and community. Our Lady of Good Counsel Church has been a spiritual beacon since its completion in 1892.
The parish itself was established a few years earlier in 1886. Thomas H Poole designed this beautiful church. In 1892, its address was listed as 236 East 90th Street.
Imagine the sounds that have filled this space over the years. Harry Connick Jr tickled the ivories here as a teen from 1985 to 1987. Before he was famous he played piano at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.
But back to that cat. In 1902, during a 9 o’clock mass, weird sounds emanated from the organ. Not the usual hymns but feline cries of anguish. Turns out a cat had worked its way into the organ’s intricate parts. C Brandrup, the organ builder, was called in. He rescued the critter that had wreaked havoc on the action.
The story of Our Lady of Good Counsel is also entwined with music beyond the curious case of the cat. The first organ was second-hand. It came from St James Catholic Church in Lower Manhattan. That church needed a larger instrument. The organ at Our Lady of Good Counsel was built in 1836 by Henry Erben.
Later, in 1927, a new organ, Opus 3872, was installed. Geo Kilgen & Son built it. The organ had three manuals and 16 ranks.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church stands as a reminder of community, faith, and even a bit of quirky history. From Harry Connick Jr’s early performances to a cat’s misadventures within the organ, this church has seen it all. It is a place where music, history, and the occasional feline surprise intertwine.