Behold the Byzantine Revival style. It stands before us in the form of Saint Anselm’s Roman Catholic Church. This architectural gem in the Bronx draws inspiration from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Saint Anselm’s story began in 1891. German Catholics sought a place to worship. Abbot Alexius Edelbrock became the first pastor. The church became a dependent priory of St. John’s Abbey in Minnesota.
The original church, dedicated in 1893, was on 151st Street. A brick school followed in 1908. It opened its doors in 1909. Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt staffed it originally. A playground was added in 1912. It was perhaps the first one attached to a Catholic school in New York.
Monks at Saint Anselm’s served beyond the parish. They acted as chaplains. Their service extended to the Corpus Christi Monastery and the Sevilla Children’s Home. They also oversaw the order’s mission in the Bahamas. Saint Anselm’s even sponsored a Fife and Drum Corps in the early 1900s.
The church we see today was built in 1918. Its design reflects the Byzantine Revival style. A large dome tops the brick structure. Smaller domes surround it. The AIA Guide to NYC once credited Gustave Steinback. Now, Anton Kloster is considered the architect by some. Kloster may have worked for Steinback.
Inside Saint Anselm’s Church, Romanesque Corinthian marble columns support the structure. Geometric mosaics add to the decor. Art historian Annie Labatt notes influence from the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.
The adjacent school building shows Classical Revival style. It stands four stories high. Terra cotta accents adorn its brick facade.
Saint Anselm’s and its school earned recognition in 2014. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Over time, Augustinian Recollects assumed responsibility for the parish. The community’s ethnic makeup evolved. It now reflects Spanish and Latin American heritage.
In 2015, Saint Roch’s parish merged with Saint Anselm’s. The Saint Roch’s church building was later desacralized in 2017.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy contributed to preserving Saint Anselm’s. They made referrals to preservation architects. They secured grants for restoration work. A $2.8 million project restored the roof and facade.
Saint Anselm’s Roman Catholic Church stands as a testament to faith and architectural beauty. Its history reflects the changing communities of the Bronx. Its doors remain open. They welcome all who seek solace and inspiration within its walls.