Do you see that plaza before the Madison Belvedere Apartments? That was once the site of St. Leo’s Church. This Manhattan parish had a relatively short but interesting life. Let’s step back in time to the late 19th century.
The Church of St. Leo was established in 1880. It was meant to ease overcrowding at St. Stephen’s parish. Reverend Thomas J. Ducey became its first rector. He remained in that role until his death in 1909. The church was dedicated to St. Leo. He was the patron saint of Pope Leo XIII.
The Archbishop of New York at the time was John Cardinal McCloskey. He was the first American-born Cardinal. He could have participated in the election of Leo as pope. Travel delays prevented him from attending.
The Delmonico brothers contributed significantly to St. Leo’s construction. Lorenzo Delmonico’s funeral was held here in September 1881. Thomas J. McCluskey served as vice-rector from 1881 to 1887. He later became president of Fordham University.
St. Leo’s was known for its humanitarian efforts. In 1899, Ducey built the “House of Repose for the Stranger Dead”. This mortuary chapel was for people of any faith who died while visiting the city. St. Leo’s clergy handled services without charge if no one claimed the body.
The Gothic Revival church was designed by Lawrence J. O’Connor. Construction began in 1880. The New York Times described the planned tower as being 105 feet high. A colossal cross would mark the main entrance. The cornerstone was laid on August 15, 1880. By August 1881, the church was ready for worship. The cost was $95,000.
A crowd of 2,000 people gathered for the cornerstone laying. The cornerstone bore a Latin inscription. It honored Cardinal McCloskey and Pope Leo XIII. United States coins and photos were placed inside.
Cardinal McCloskey could not attend the ceremony due to illness. The Vicar General officiated. Other priests from prominent churches assisted.
As the neighborhood changed in the early 1900s, St. Leo’s was suppressed. It became a mission of St. Stephen’s Church. The church building was given to the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix. They used it as a convent and retreat house. The rectory became a convent in 1914. Thirteen nuns lived there.
The church and convent were sold to a developer. They were demolished in the 1980s. Now, the plaza in front of the Madison Belvedere Apartments occupies the site.
Rev. Thomas J. Ducey had an interesting background. He was born in Ireland in 1843. He emigrated to the USA with his parents in 1848. After being orphaned, he was taken in by lawyer James T. Brady. Brady sent him to college.
Ducey entered St. Joseph’s seminary in 1864. He was ordained in 1868. He was known for his flamboyant personality and progressive views.
Ducey donated $100,000 of his own money to build St. Leo’s. He died on August 22, 1909. St. Leo’s Church may be gone but its story lives on.