Was it fate or divine intervention that led Father Victor Bassi to establish Our Lady of Grace Church in May 1924? He sought to serve the Italian Catholic community. For one year, Masses occurred in rented stores. These stores were on White Plains Road near 227th Street. Then, on October 11 1925 the first church building dedicated its service.
Our Lady of Grace Church has a fascinating history. It shows faith and community commitment. But there is more to discover.
In the 1960s, Monsignor Bonaventure Fillitti envisioned a new church. Sadly, he passed away before realizing his dream for Our Lady of Grace Church. Monsignor John Rettagliata completed Fillitti’s work. Cardinal Cooke dedicated the present church on May 26 1968. This marked a new chapter for the parish.
But Our Lady of Grace Church is more than just its buildings. Its magnificent Aeolian-Skinner organ enriches the church. The organ was acquired in 1981. Thomas M Fierro, Director of Music, was instrumental. Fierro and church members moved the organ.
Originally built in 1931 by the Skinner Organ Company, it served St. George Episcopal Church. St George was in Schenectady, N.Y. The Aeolian-Skinner Company revised it in 1952 as Opus 868-A. The organ has three manuals. It boasts 32 registers, 27 stops, and 35 ranks. Alterations and enlargement occurred in the late 1990s. The organ’s specifications revised to enhance its sound.
Imagine the rich sounds filling Our Lady of Grace Church. Picture the organ’s pipes. Hear the swell division’s Sesquialtera replacing the Aeoline. Envision the Vox Humana adding depth, using the Swell Tremolo knob. The Choir gained an Unda Maris replacing the Sesquialtera. The lowest rank of the III-rank Plein Jeu became a 2′ Principal. It used the Choir Tremolo knob. These changes reflect Our Lady of Grace Church’s commitment to musical excellence.
The vibrant sounds echo. They carry prayers and hymns. They bind the community together in faith.
As you stand before Our Lady of Grace Church consider its past. Reflect on the visionaries who shaped it. Think of Father Bassi, Monsignor Fillitti, and Monsignor Rettagliata. Remember Thomas M. Fierro. And reflect on the organ’s sounds. They all contributed to this sacred space. Our Lady of Grace Church remains a beacon of faith. It is a testament to community spirit in the Bronx.