“Imagine,” a whispered prayer seems to echo from the very stones of Our Lady of Solace Roman Catholic Church. Since 1900, Our Lady of Solace has stood as Coney Island’s only Catholic faith community. It welcomes all of God’s people. They come to live on or visit its shores.
Our Lady of Solace is a Eucharistic community. It proclaims the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Guided by the Holy Spirit, it seeks to understand the needs of its diverse community.
The Church of Our Lady of Solace was founded by the Rev. Joseph Francis Brophy. A former dance hall was converted for the new church. Its first Mass was celebrated on November 4, 1900. This was the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo. By 1906, the church was recognized as a Roman Shrine. It had the privilege of the Portiuncula Indulgence. This made it a special place to remember souls in purgatory.
Father Brophy dreamed of a magnificent permanent church building. In 1925, that dream was realized. The Shrine Church of Our Lady of Solace was erected on West 17th Street and Mermaid Avenue. The Spanish apse and Italian designs created a spacious and ornate structure. Its acoustics were perfect. It fostered an atmosphere of prayerful intimacy. The parish complex included a school, a convent, and an Italian-designed rectory.
Attached to Our Lady of Solace was an imposing 185-foot campanile. It could be seen from miles away. Its Meneely chimes were donated by the New York City Fire Department. The Tilyou family also contributed. They owned Steeplechase, Coney Island’s last surviving theme park. The bell tower had major structural issues. In 1989, the bells were removed and sold. The belfry and its top 100 feet were razed. However the lower portion was saved.
The original 1884 Roosevelt tracker organ became too expensive to maintain. It was rarely used after 1969. Decades of neglect rendered it unplayable. Our Lady of Solace School closed in 2003. The auditorium and gymnasium are still used by the parish. Some classrooms are used for Sunday Religious Education.
The destinies of Our Lady of Solace and Coney Island are intertwined. Processions started by Father Brophy continue today. Like Coney Island, Our Lady of Solace has rediscovered its vitality.
The present Rodgers Cambridge 785 digital organ was first used in 2004. Its dedication concert took place on October 3, 2004. The Roosevelt Organ was acquired by the church in 1924. It was originally built in 1884.
Although well-maintained for years, the organ gradually fell into disrepair. By the end of 2002, it was unplayable. In January 2007, it was removed for restoration.
Our Lady of Solace stands proudly. It serves its parishioners and community. It has been a beacon of faith in Coney Island for over a century. Its story is one of resilience, adaptation, and unwavering commitment to its community.