Gazing up at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, one might hear whispers of its fiery past. Saint Mary’s Church stands proudly on Grand Street. It is a testament to the resilience of the Irish immigrants who founded it in 1826. This wasn’t their first sanctuary. Initially, they held services in a former Presbyterian church on Sheriff Street. Tragedy struck in 1831 when anti-Catholic nativists set fire to their church. The building was damaged, but not destroyed. The congregation persevered. This act of violence spurred the creation of the first New York chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 1836, partly in response to such bigotry.
The cornerstone for the current Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church was laid in 1832. The church was dedicated in June 1833. Its first pastor, Reverend William J. Quarter, later became the first bishop of Chicago. Originally designed in the Greek Revival style, the church underwent significant transformations. In 1864, the renowned architect Patrick Charles Keely redesigned the facade in the Romanesque style, adding twin spires. Further changes were implemented in 1871 by Lawrence O’Connor. The original portion of the 1833 structure is the second-oldest Roman Catholic structure in New York City. It is preceded only by St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, built in 1815.
Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church holds a unique place in New York’s history. It served as a haven for Irish immigrants fleeing persecution. It witnessed the rise of prominent figures like Reverend Michael McKenna. McKenna, an Irish-American prelate with ties to the Irish nationalist movement, served as assistant pastor at Saint Mary’s in 1868 before establishing the nearby parish of St. Rose of Lima. Another notable figure associated with Saint Mary’s is Charles Edward McDonnell, the future Bishop of Brooklyn, who served as curate there in 1878. Saint Mary’s is more than just a church. It is a living testament to faith, resilience, and the rich history of the Lower East Side. As it approaches its bicentennial in 2026, Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church continues to serve its community, echoing the stories of generations past and present.