Once known as Smoky Mary’s, Saint Mary’s Orthodox Christian Church stands before you. It’s a testament to faith and architectural ambition in the heart of Times Square.
Saint Mary’s Orthodox Christian Church is an Episcopal Anglo-Catholic church. It resides in Midtown Manhattan. The church is part of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.
In 1868, the Society of the Free Church of Saint Mary the Virgin was founded. Thomas McKee Brown wanted a church that expressed Catholic thought within the Episcopal Church. Bishop Horatio Potter suggested Longacre Square, now Times Square, as a location. John Jacob Astor donated three lots.
The first Saint Mary’s Orthodox Christian Church was built on West 45th Street. William T. Hallett designed it. It was dedicated in 1870.
By 1890, the congregation outgrew the original church. Sara L. Cooke left a large legacy to the church. The trustees decided to build a new Saint Mary’s Orthodox Christian Church. It would span from 46th to 47th Streets.
Napoleon LeBrun & Sons designed the new complex. Pierre LeBrun was the lead designer. The style would be French Gothic. The church would seat 800 people. Erecting the building was challenging due to its size and location. The LeBrun firm used steel framing. This made it the first church with a concealed steel skeleton. The facade is limestone.
The cornerstone was laid in 1894. The church was dedicated in 1895. Saint Mary’s Orthodox Christian Church is 60 feet wide and 180 feet long. The nave is 80 feet high and 46 feet wide. J. Massey Rhind created sculptural decorations.
Saint Mary’s is known for its solemn liturgies and music. High Mass and Evensong are celebrated on Sundays. Mass is offered daily. The church became known as Smoky Mary’s due to the incense used.
In 1989, Saint Mary’s Orthodox Christian Church became a New York City landmark. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The choir sings plainchant in Latin. Their repertoire spans from the Middle Ages to living composers. David Hurd is the current organist.
Saint Mary’s stands as one of New York’s finest Gothic designs. It redefined church construction with its steel frame. Its Anglo-Catholic characteristics are evident in its sculptures. The church’s story is etched in its stones and soaring arches. It echoes with the voices of generations. Saint Mary’s Orthodox Christian Church remains a beacon of faith.