What if these walls could talk? The story of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Saint Stephen’s Church is filled with faith community and change.
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Saint Stephen’s Church began as two separate parishes. Each served distinct communities in New York City. Let’s explore their intertwined history.
The Parish of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary was founded in 1914. It aimed to serve Italian Catholics. Over 10000 Italians lived between 23rd and 42nd Streets. They resided between Lexington Avenue and the East River. Msgr Joseph M Congedo became the first pastor.
In 1915 the cornerstone was laid for a new church. John Cardinal Farley did the honors. The church was on East 33rd Street in Kip’s Bay. Nicholas Serracino designed the 35000 dollar building. It featured a Greek Revival style with white brick. Archbishop John Bonzano dedicated the completed Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary church in 1916.
The parish grew adding buildings to its property. A cornerstone for the parish school was laid in 1925. The Sister Servants of the Immaculata staffed the school. It was a high school for girls named Immaculata High School. The parish school closed in 1937. The high school closed in the 1970s.
In 2007 Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary merged. It joined the Church of Our Lady of the Scapular–St Stephen. The Church of Our Lady of the Scapular–St Stephen was on East 28th Street. The original Sacred Hearts church building and school were torn down in 2008.
A new chapel was built on the same site. It became the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The chapel was dedicated in May 2009. It became a home for Immaculata High School Alumni. The chapel also served as a meditation place. It welcomed those from NYU Langone Medical Center Bellevue Hospital and the VA Hospital. Cardinal Egan also resided there after his retirement in 2009.
The chapel houses a historic organ. Hilborne Roosevelt of New York City originally built it in 1879. It was first installed in St Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church. That church was on East 28th Street. In 1920 St Stephen’s commissioned a new organ. W W Kimball of Chicago built it. Kimball retained the Roosevelt organ as part of the new instrument.
In 2012 J H and C S Odell restored the Roosevelt organ. They installed it in the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The organ features a new case of quarter-sawn white oak. Ebony accents add to its beauty. The facade includes ten new speaking pipes.
The Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary’s story reflects the changing face of New York City. It shows the enduring power of faith. The chapel stands as a testament to community service and remembrance.