“Air-conditioned before it was cool.” That’s a phrase you might not expect to hear about a church. Yet, here we are at the Church of Our Father, a Roman Catholic parish church in Manhattan.
The Church of Our Father stands at 59 Park Avenue. It sits at the corner of 38th Street. This location is more than just an address. It is a testament to faith and architectural innovation.
Let’s step back to the mid-1950s. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York sought to replace St. Gabriel Church. The tunnel swallowed St. Gabriel Church in 1939. The new parish would ease overcrowding. It would serve Catholics in the growing Murray Hill area. Land was acquired in 1953 for $700,000.
In 1955, the new parish was established. Msgr. Thomas J. McMahon became the first pastor. Services were initially held in the Allerton Room. Later, they moved to a rented townhouse. Imagine attending mass in a temporary chapel at 72 Park Avenue.
Groundbreaking took place on Easter Sunday in 1956. Bishop Joseph Patrick Donahue led the ceremony. Msgr. John M. Fleming took over after Msgr. McMahon’s death. Cardinal Spellman dedicated the cornerstone in 1957. Construction was phased. The first mass was held in the lower level on Christmas Eve 1957. The main level opened on Ash Wednesday in 1959. Cardinal Spellman dedicated the completed Church of Our Father on September 27, 1959. The construction cost $4,400,000.
Paul C. Reilly designed the Church of Our Father. Reilly was known for his Manhattan theater designs. The church was the first in New York City with air conditioning. The cooling equipment was hidden in the tower. This shows how forward-thinking the design was. The main floor seats 562 people. The lower level can accommodate 600 as a sanctuary or social hall. A rectory sits above the church. Parish offices are on the ground floor.
Obtaining stone carvers was a challenge. Many were working on other major projects. A 71-year-old carver came out of retirement. The union allowed air hammers. This sped up the work. Languedoc marble pillars grace the sanctuary. The marble came from France and was turned in Italy. New York didn’t have a large enough lathe.
In 2015, St. Stephen/Our Lady of the Scapular merged with Our Saviour. This included the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
The church has faced controversy. A pastor removed artwork in 2013. This sparked complaints from the community.
Today, the Church of Our Father stands as a beacon. It is a testament to faith. It shows architectural innovation. It is a place where history and modernity intertwine. Take a moment to appreciate this unique house of worship.