Gazing upon the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Thomas Aquinas, it’s hard to imagine this grand structure rising from what was once farmland. The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Thomas Aquinas stands as a testament to the changing landscape of Flatlands, Brooklyn. Back in the late 1880s, when the parish was founded, horse-drawn carriages traversed dirt roads, carrying devout parishioners to the original mission church. Can you picture the scene? Fields stretching as far as the eye could see, punctuated by farmhouses, barns, and the simple wooden structure of the first Saint Thomas Aquinas Church. This original church, built on Flatbush Avenue, opened its doors in January 1885. A few months later, in May, Bishop Loughlin dedicated the small mission.
The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Thomas Aquinas served a vast area. Its boundaries extended north to Holy Cross, east to Holy Family in Canarsie, west to Saint Mark’s, and south all the way to Jamaica Bay. Life was simpler then. In 1896, Flatlands became part of Brooklyn, and just two years later, Brooklyn became part of New York City. The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Thomas Aquinas witnessed this transformation. The parish grew, reaching 150 parishioners by 1901, and then swelling to 700 by 1909. This growth necessitated expansion. In 1924, Saint Thomas Aquinas School opened its doors on Flatlands Avenue. The Sisters of Mercy staffed the school, which initially served students in grades one through five.
Then, in April 1930, a new era began. The magnificent church you see now, with its striking 155-foot tower, was completed on Hendrickson Street. The rectory was also finished at this time. This new church was dedicated in October 1932 by Bishop Thomas Molloy. The original church building wasn’t forgotten. It was repurposed as a gymnasium and later lovingly restored as a place of worship once more in the 1940s. This “Little Church” as it’s known, stands as a poignant reminder of the parish’s humble beginnings. The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Thomas Aquinas continued to evolve. In 1969, renovations were undertaken to modernize the church, further solidifying its role as a spiritual anchor in the community. Through the decades, this church has seen it all, from dirt roads to city streets, from a small mission to a grand edifice. Its enduring presence speaks to the power of faith and community.