Ever wonder how a church can become a haven for night owls and a lifeline for the hungry? The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi stands here. It is a testament to faith adapting to the city’s relentless pulse.
This isn’t just another church. The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi has a story woven into the very fabric of New York City. Founded in 1844 by Father Zachary Kunz, it rose from a schism. Kunz, a Hungarian Franciscan, sought to create a sanctuary free from the troubles that plagued his former parish.
Imagine Bloomingdale in the 1840s. Dirt roads and modest houses were all around. Father Kunz purchased land near his old church. Bishop John McCloskey laid the cornerstone on May 9, 1844. Kunz dedicated it to St. Francis of Assisi.
As the city transformed, so did the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. By 1890, a larger church was needed. Henry Erhardt designed the new Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in the Gothic Revival style. Construction finished in 1892. The cost was 60,000 dollars.
The neighborhood morphed into the Tenderloin District. Nightclubs and brothels sprung up. The friars adapted. They ministered to shoppers, commuters, and tourists.
The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi introduced the Nightworkers Mass. It was held at midnight. This allowed theater workers and printers to fulfill their religious duties. Later, they got permission for a midday service. The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi became the first in the US to offer this.
In 1928, a huge mosaic was installed. Rudolph Margreiter created The Glorification of the Mother of Jesus. When the Great Depression hit in 1929, the friars started a breadline. It began in September 1930. It still operates today. It is the oldest continuously run breadline in the United States.
The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi underwent renovations in the late 1950s. A courtyard was added in 1958. New entrances opened in 1961.
The friars began new services for immigrants. They also served those alienated from the Catholic Church. In 1980, they established St. Francis Friends of the Poor. They provided housing for the mentally ill.
Father Mychal Judge was the Fire Department chaplain. On September 11, 2001, he rushed to the World Trade Center. He ministered to victims and was killed by falling debris. His funeral mass was held at the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Today, the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi has a Korean-language ministry. It stands as a beacon of faith and service. The church’s story is one of constant adaptation. It meets the changing needs of its community. From its humble beginnings to its present-day ministries. The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi remains a vital part of New York City.