Beneath the Inwood sky stands the Church of the Good Shepherd. It is more than just a building. It’s a testament to faith, community, and the evolving tapestry of New York City.
The Church of the Good Shepherd’s story began in 1911. The Paulist Fathers purchased land from the Isham Estate. Inwood was then the unofficial capital of the Irish diaspora. The parish was primarily Irish-American.
Initially, a small chapel served 150 parishioners. It stood on the site of the Christie Field House at Baker Field. Later, Father Thomas A. Daly secured land on Broadway and Isham Street. This was a significant step.
On September 28, 1912, a grand event occurred. Mrs. Julia Isham Taylor and Miss Flora E. Isham donated Isham Park to New York City. During the celebration, Reverend John J. Hughes announced the Paulist Fathers’ plan. They would build a church, school, and monastery near the new park. The church would be named the Church of the Good Shepherd.
A temporary wooden church was built. It accommodated about one thousand parishioners. By the 1930s, Inwood had grown. Subway lines led to apartment buildings. The original church became too small.
In 1935, architect Paul Monaghan designed the current Church of the Good Shepherd. It is Romanesque in style. Its granite facade and terra cotta tile roof make it spectacular. Three large stained glass windows overlook a stepped porch.
Inside, the Church of the Good Shepherd can seat around 1,000 people. Fordham gneiss was used for the walls. Horizontal bands of contrasting color accentuate it. The new church blocked the rectory’s views of the Harlem River.
A parochial school was built in 1924. A convent followed in 1950. Originally, the church served Inwood’s Irish community. Today, with the aid of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars, it serves a largely Hispanic congregation.
The Church of the Good Shepherd also remembers the tragedy of September 11. A twisted piece of steel from the World Trade Center stands in the churchyard. It bears the inscription “Ground Hero”.
The Church of the Good Shepherd has witnessed many firsts. The first Mass was on January 1, 1912. The first baptism was Dorothy Emily Baird on February 2, 1913. William Young and Terese Francis Hall had the first marriage on April 20, 1913. The first Spanish Mass was in November 1969.
Today, the Church of the Good Shepherd stands as a landmark. It is a reminder of Inwood’s past. It is a symbol of community. It is a beacon of faith. Its history is etched in every stone and stained glass window. It reflects the changing faces and enduring spirit of New York City.