Picture the imposing Gothic structure of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Roman Catholic Church. It stands majestically at the corner of University Avenue and Fordham Road in the Bronx. This isn’t just any church. It’s a significant landmark a testament to faith and community.
Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Roman Catholic Church wasn’t always this grand. Its origins trace back to a humble garage on North Street. In 1906 the Augustinians established the parish. The first Mass was held in that small space with a mere 127 attendees. A combination church and school along with a rectory were later built.
The cornerstone of this initial structure was laid in 1906. Archbishop Farley dedicated the church in 1907. The Augustinian Fathers even oversaw Catholic orphan asylums. The Sisters of Charity ran the school.
By the 1920s the University Heights area transformed. Irish immigrants flocked to the neighborhood. The growth prompted the construction of a parochial high school in 1927. Plans for a larger church began.
The present church construction commenced in 1927. Auxiliary Bishop John J Dunn laid the cornerstone that September. Delaney O’Connor & Schultz designed the stunning Gothic edifice. The church cost about $1000000. Its west end faces east toward University Avenue. The twin towers were planned to stand 150 feet high.
The lower church was completed first. Cardinal Hayes blessed it in 1928. It seated 1200 people. Due to financial constraints and wartime difficulties the upper church wasn’t completed until the 1950s. The entire church was consecrated in 1957. Its capacity was 1500 in the nave alone.
Sadly a fire in 2010 caused significant damage. The blaze started in a former confessional. Smoke and water damaged the organ and narthex. Thankfully the 1951 Kilgen organ survived. Organ curator John Klauder oversaw its restoration.
Today Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Roman Catholic Church serves a diverse community. Masses are held in English Spanish and Vietnamese. The church stands as a symbol of faith perseverance and adaptation. It truly is a remarkable edifice a Bronx landmark. A place where history and community intertwine.