“Worshiping and Serving since 1857.” This message greets visitors to Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church.
Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church has a rich history. The parish started as an offshoot of two other churches. Its original boundaries stretched from 28th to 38th Street. They also extended from 6th Avenue to the Hudson River.
Initially, the community gathered in a renovated townhouse chapel. Construction of the first church began in 1861. It finished in 1868. The church faced 31st Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. Founding pastor Arthur J. Donnelly and architect T.S. Wall designed it. The original complex included a rectory convent and schools. Architect Lawrence J. O’Connor designed these.
From 1874 to 1884, the Presentation Sisters resided here. Enrollment in the schools grew rapidly. It became the largest parochial school in New York. The Sisters and the parish also founded Mount Saint Michael Home. It was for destitute children on Staten Island.
The original Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church contained an 1862 Henry Erben organ. Sadly, a fire destroyed much of the church in 1892. This included the organ.
O’Connor was hired to design a new church. It incorporated the original tower. It also featured a new limestone facade on 32nd Street. The roof was raised six feet higher. The church gained a vaulted ceiling. It also had aisles with groined arches. Fourteen Munich stained glass windows were added. A choir loft with a new 1893 Odell organ was installed. The blessing Mass took place on January 28 1894.
In 1904, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company planned a project. This included the North River Tunnels and Pennsylvania Station. It required demolishing Saint Michael’s church on 32nd Street. Pastor John A. Gleeson suggested a solution. The Archdiocese sold the parish properties. In exchange, they received a new complex on 34th Street.
Napoleon LeBrun & Sons oversaw the construction. The altar organ stained glass and facade were salvaged and reused. The new Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church was dedicated on November 10 1907. It was described as Romanesque. It also had a basement chapel for 2000 people.
In June 2018, Pastor George W. Rutler dedicated a shrine. It honored Our Lady of Aradin for persecuted Christians. Renovations in 2019 included a red oak baldachin. Patrick Alles designed it. It received an award for craftsmanship from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.
Saint Michael’s parish and schools have produced many religious leaders. These include Bishops Daniel Joseph Curley and Thomas John McDonnell.
Today, Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church welcomes all. It continues to be a vibrant center for worship service and community. It is temporarily closed for renovations. You can visit on weekdays for prayer and solitude.