“Salvaged and reborn” could easily be the motto of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Have you ever seen a church pieced together from architectural remnants of millionaires’ mansions and famous buildings?
Welcome to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Manhattan. This Roman Catholic parish church has a fascinating story. It is located at 463 West 142nd Street between Convent and Amsterdam Avenues.
In 1901, Archbishop Michael Corrigan wanted a church to serve the growing Catholic community in Hamilton Heights. He assigned the task to Rev. Joseph H. McMahon. McMahon had been a curate at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for fifteen years.
To construct Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Father McMahon acquired discarded materials at bargain prices. It is a true architectural Frankenstein. The facade incorporates elements from the National Academy of Design building. This building once stood at East 23rd Street and Fourth Avenue. Peter B. Wight designed it in a Venetian Gothic style.
Looking closely, you can see that the apse and part of the eastern wall came from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. These elements were removed to make way for the Lady Chapel. Even the pedestals flanking the entrance steps have a history. They once graced the mansion of A.T. Stewart, a department store magnate. His “Marble Palace” stood at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue.
Built between 1902 and 1904, Our Lady of Lourdes Church cost about $80,000. Cornelius O’Reilly of the O’Reilly Brothers firm designed it. The church has been called one of the oddest buildings in New York. In 1975, it was designated a New York City Landmark.
Interestingly, bricks from St. Patrick’s Cathedral were also used in its construction.
Our Lady of Lourdes established a school in 1903. Ursuline nuns initially staffed it. Ten years later, a larger school was built. The Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus then took over.
Today, the congregation is diverse. It includes African Americans, Dominicans, Ecuadorians, Eritreans, and Mexicans.
So, as you stand before Our Lady of Lourdes Church, remember its unique origins. This is a testament to resourcefulness and architectural creativity. It is a place where discarded treasures have found new life and purpose.