Saint Francis Chapel

What secrets does Saint Francis Chapel hold within its Gothic Revival walls? Saint Francis Chapel isn’t just a beautiful building. It’s a living testament to the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. The church stands proudly in Manhattan, on West 31st Street. It has witnessed the changing tides of New York City since its completion in 1892. The parish itself is even older, established in 1844 by Father Zachary Kunz. He was a Hungarian immigrant who also founded St. John the Baptist Church nearby. Disagreements with the board at St. John’s led Father Kunz to seek a new beginning. With the blessing of Bishop McCloskey, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish was born. The original church eventually made way for the grand structure we see today, designed by Henry Erhardt. The church’s history is intertwined with the neighborhood’s transformation. The area once known as Bloomingdale became the Tenderloin District. The friars adapted, introducing the “Nightworkers Mass” at midnight. This catered to those working in the theater and printing industries, a unique service for the time. In 1928, a stunning mosaic, “The Glorification of the Mother of Jesus,” was installed. When the Great Depression hit, the friars started a breadline. This breadline remains the oldest continuously operating one in the United States, a powerful symbol of the church’s commitment to serving the needy. Renovations in the late 1950s brought a courtyard and new entrances. The church continued to evolve, offering services for immigrants and those estranged from the Church. In 1980, they established St. Francis Friends of the Poor, providing housing for the chronically mentally ill. On September 11, 2001, the church became a place of mourning. Father Mychal Judge, the church’s priest and FDNY chaplain, died at Ground Zero. His funeral was held at Saint Francis Chapel, a poignant moment in the church’s and the city’s history. Today, Saint Francis Chapel continues its mission of welcome and service, a beacon of hope in the heart of Manhattan.