Our Lady of Assumption Church

Gazing at Our Lady of Assumption Church, can you hear the echoes of German hymns? This church, nestled in Manhattan, has a fascinating history tied to the German Catholic community. Our Lady of Assumption Church began in 1858. Father Raffeiner established the parish for the growing German Catholic population on the Upper West Side. The cornerstone for the larger church building on West 49th Street was laid in May 1859 by Archbishop John Hughes. The church was dedicated on December 4th of the same year. Imagine the excitement of the community as they finally had a larger space for worship. The basement of Our Lady of Assumption Church initially served a dual purpose. It was used as a school and a parish hall. This arrangement continued until a separate school building was constructed in 1873 under Pastor Strähle. The school was staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, whose convent was also located on 49th Street. By 1914, the school had grown to around 450 pupils, a testament to the thriving German Catholic community. In October 1910, Reverend John P. Neumann became pastor of Our Lady of Assumption Church. Under his guidance, the Assumption Lyceum was built. This club provided a space for the young men of the parish to gather and engage in activities. Our Lady of Assumption Church stands as a reminder of the rich history of German Catholic immigrants in Manhattan.