A century of faith whispers from these walls. This is Saint Anastasia Roman Catholic Church a beacon in Douglaston. For a hundred years it has stood proudly. It’s witnessed countless celebrations and quiet moments of prayer.
Saint Anastasia Roman Catholic Church opened its doors in 1915. Imagine a small white wooden structure. Only one hundred parishioners gathered for mass. It was a humble beginning. A far cry from the vibrant community it is today.
The church’s growth mirrors the growth of northeast Queens. Births and baptisms fueled the expansion. The widening of Northern Boulevard helped too. The extension of the Long Island Rail Road brought more people. By 1922 the church purchased twenty lots. It laid the foundation for the campus we see now.
In 1929 a school opened. Nuns from the Sisters of Mercy from Pennsylvania taught there. Enrollment soared. By 1952 over a thousand students attended. The peak was 1966 with sixteen hundred children. Saint Anastasia’s was Little Neck’s first and only Catholic school from kindergarten to eighth grade. It was a time of extraordinary growth and community spirit.
Those were the glorious days. Saint Anastasia had over 10000 worshippers. The school thrived. Times changed. Numbers decreased. Today the church still stands tall. It serves a community of nearly six thousand parishioners. Over three hundred students now attend the school.
Saint Anastasia Roman Catholic Church endures. It remains a vibrant part of Douglaston. It offers a space to various community organizations. The Ladies Auxiliary and the Knights of Columbus meet there. The Croatian Community shares its rich culture. The church’s story is a testament to faith perseverance and community. It’s a place where history lives. It’s a place where hope flourishes. It’s a living story etched into the very stones of this building.