Marvel at this magnificent St. Ignatius Statue. The St. Ignatius Statue stands as a testament to faith and history. We are standing before the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola. It is a Catholic parish church. The Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, administer it. This parish falls under the Archdiocese of New York.
Let’s delve into the history of this place. The parish was established in 1851. It was originally named St. Lawrence O’Toole’s Church. Permission was granted by Rome in 1898. This allowed the parish to change its patron saint. It was changed from St. Lawrence O’Toole. It became St. Ignatius of Loyola.
The church’s address is 980 Park Avenue. It sits on the southwest corner of Park Avenue and 84th Street. This church is part of a Jesuit complex. The complex includes Wallace Hall. This is the parish hall beneath the church. The rectory is at the midblock location on Park Avenue. St. Ignatius’s School is also here. It is on the north midblock of 84th Street behind the church. Loyola School is at the northwest corner of Park Avenue and 83rd Street. Another Jesuit high school is nearby. Regis High School is at 55 E 84th Street. It occupies the midblock on the north side of 84th Street. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened on July 24 1980.
The parish’s roots trace back to 1851. It stands on the site of the former St. Lawrence O’Toole Church. Rev. Eugene O’Reilly from Ireland founded it. He named it after a twelfth-century bishop of Dublin. The Society of Jesus took care of the parish in 1886. This marked the Jesuits’ first major work in the Yorkville area. Old directories listed St. Lawrence at Park Avenue and East 84th Street.
The limestone building shows the Catholic community’s growth. It also shows their confidence on New York’s Upper East Side. Fr. Neil McKinnon led the parish from 1893 to 1907. He was determined and ambitious. Martin J Scott worked as an assistant priest. He built a day nursery in 1910.
The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola became a New York City Landmark. This occurred on March 4 1969.
Many notable people have had funerals here. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was one. Aaliyah was another. Lena Horne also had her funeral here. Philip Seymour Hoffman’s funeral was held here too. Oscar de la Renta and Mario Cuomo were also remembered here.
Originally a wooden church stood here in 1852. It was replaced by a brick structure in 1853. Rev. Walter Quarter worked hard to raise funds. The church’s foundation was built from 1884 to 1886. It was meant for a Gothic design. The parish was given to the Jesuits in 1886. The current church was built from 1895 to 1900. Schickel and Ditmars designed it. It was dedicated on December 11 1898. Archbishop Michael Corrigan officiated.
The exterior has two vertical orders. An arched window is present. The exterior suggests the nave and side aisles. This gives a classical balance. The facade has a subtle rhythm. The motto of the Society of Jesus is displayed. It reads Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. This means To the Greater Glory of God. The Great Seal of the Society is also visible. It includes a cross, three nails, and the letters I H S. These proclaim St. Ignatius as a Jesuit Parish.
American, European, and African marbles make up the interior. Pink Tennessee marble is used. Red-veined Numidian marble is also present. The marble work was done by James G. Batterson Jr. and John Eisele.
Mosaic Stations of the Cross panels adorn the church. Professor Paoletti designed them. Salviati Company of Venice created them. The bronze doors were designed by Rev. Patrick O’Gorman. The Long Island Bronze Company crafted them.
The Jesuit statues are carved from Carrara marble. Joseph Sibbel Studio of New York created them. The church’s organ was dedicated in 1993. Noel Mander built it. It is New York City’s largest mechanical action pipe organ. It is also the largest built in the British Isles.
The baptistery screen features gilt flaming swords. John Williams wrought it. William Schickel designed it. The baptistery font is Carrara marble. Heaton, Butler & Bayne of London designed the marble pavement. The Gorham Company cut and installed the mosaic’s tesserae. Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company designed the mosaics. They used opalescent Favrile glass. Tiffany also executed the baptistery’s semi-dome.
The St. Ignatius Statue stands as a reminder. It honors the Society of Jesus. It celebrates faith. It embodies architectural beauty. It represents a vibrant parish community.