Marvelous isn’t it? This is the Queen of All Saints Church a breathtaking Gothic Revival masterpiece.
Standing before you is a testament to faith and artistry. Queen of All Saints Church wasn’t built overnight. Its construction spanned from 1910 to 1913. The final dedication took place on Thanksgiving Day November 27 1913. The architects Reiley & Steinback poured their hearts into this design. They modeled it after the Sainte Chapelle in Paris. Can you imagine the skill involved? The church cost a whopping $475000 back in 1913. That’s quite a sum.
The Queen of All Saints Church wasn’t always known by this name. It began its life in 1879 as St John’s Parish. Quite a transformation don’t you think? The school associated with the church opened at the same time as the church building. Sadly it closed in 2019 due to declining enrollment. The apse and rectory weren’t finished until 1915. The spire that once adorned the Vanderbilt Avenue side disappeared sometime before the 1940s.
Now let’s talk about the organ. A true marvel. Built in 1913 by Philipp Wirsching of Salem Ohio this magnificent instrument has been recognized by the Organ Historical Society. They gave it their Historical Citation number 66. It was electrified in 1925. The original organ had tubular-pneumatic action and a detached reversed console. This was later updated by the Wangerin Organ Company. John Klauder of Brooklyn made further modifications. He even replaced a bas relief of the pope with display pipes.
Today Queen of All Saints continues to offer daily Mass. It maintains a rich program of devotions. This includes First Friday and First Saturday Holy Hours. They honor the Rosary the Miraculous Medal Novena and the Novena to St Therese. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is also part of their devotional life. Faith Formation however is no longer offered due to the school closure.
Look around you. Take in the stunning carved white stone. Notice the soaring steeple and the towering interior columns. The over two dozen life-sized statues are incredible aren’t they? The fourteen stained-glass windows showcase thousands of glass pieces depicting biblical scenes. The original pews made of French oak are still in use. Even the bronze light fixtures have endured the test of time. This church stands as a beautiful example of faith perseverance and architectural brilliance. Queen of All Saints Church isn’t just a building it’s a living testament to a community’s enduring spirit.