Fifty-eight thousand dollars. That’s how much Archbishop John Murphy Farley paid for the entire city block in 1907. He envisioned a beacon of hope. A church that would stand as a testament to faith. That church is Saint Athanasius Roman Catholic Church. Right here before you.
Saint Athanasius Roman Catholic Church in the Bronx isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to community resilience. It opened its doors in 1909. Cardinal Logue himself laid the cornerstone. He was visiting for the New York Archdiocese’s centennial. A truly auspicious beginning.
The church became a vital part of a low-income neighborhood. It partnered with St Anthony of Padua. They worked together to uplift the community. One remarkable figure stands out. Father Louis R Gigante. Yes the brother of notorious mobster Vincent “the Chin” Gigante. Father Gigante wasn’t known for his connections to organized crime. He was admired for his commitment to social justice. He founded the Simpson Street Development Association. It was a bold move for the 1960s.
Sister Miriam Thomas was another pivotal figure. She arrived in 1962 as a teacher. She joined forces with Father Gigante. Together they created SEBCO the South East Bronx Community Organization. SEBCO used federal funds. They transformed abandoned buildings into affordable housing. This wasn’t easy work. The South Bronx was devastated in the 1960s and 70s. Buildings burned. The neighborhood was desolate. Saint Athanasius and its leaders offered hope. They became leaders in the tenants’ rights movement. Even the first South Bronx Halloween parade was organized by Sister Thomas in 1985.
But the story of Saint Athanasius isn’t without its complexities. The expulsion of Sister Thomas in 2010 caused a rift in the community. The arrival of a new pastor led to protests. It highlights the ongoing tensions between tradition and progress. A constant tug-of-war within any institution.
Saint Athanasius Roman Catholic Church. It stands as a symbol of faith. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity hope and community can prevail. It’s a place where history and faith are intertwined. Take a moment. Absorb its story. It’s a story that continues to unfold.