Contemplate the story of the Old Church of St. Rose of Lima. It was once a vibrant parish in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Today little remains of it.
St. Rose of Lima Old Church’s story begins in 1868. Father Michael McKenna established the parish. He sought to relieve the overcrowding at St. Mary’s Church. A small chapel opened on February 9 1868.
The New York Times described the 1871 church as one of the finest in the city. It stood at 36 Cannon Street between Broome Street and Delancey Street. The rectory was at 42 Cannon Street. The school was at 290 Delancey Street.
Many prelates connected to St. Rose’s parish achieved distinguished careers. Father McKenna had ties to Irish nationalism. The church had strong connections to Ireland and Irish politics. In 1886 the church raised money to support Charles Stewart Parnell. He was an Irish national leader.
The Young Men’s Catholic Society was established. It organized a picnic that was disrupted by misbehaved youths.
Construction of the Williamsburg Bridge impacted St. Rose of Lima Old Church. The bridge’s construction destroyed much of the original parish housing. This included the church rectory and school.
By the 1890s people assumed the parish would merge back into St. Mary’s. In 1905 a new uptown parish was dedicated to St. Rose of Lima. After 1905 the original church was known as Old St. Rose’s.
Plans to rebuild the displaced parish began in July 1900. Property was purchased at Grand and Lewis Streets. This continued throughout the early to mid twentieth century. This rebuilt parish church operated until the 1960s. The parish records are now held at St. Mary’s.
Services were held in a small chapel from 1868 to 1871. The cornerstone for a larger church was laid on July 31 1870. Archbishop John McCloskey dedicated it on April 23 1871. The church cost $96000. It could seat 1300 people.
The interior was constructed in the pure Gothic style. Tall Gothic columns supported the roof. Stained glass windows were contributions from the congregation. The altar was built of Caen stone.
The New York Times described the church in detail. Over the altar were stained glass windows. They depicted St. Rose St. Columbkill St. Patrick and St. Bridget. Altars were devoted to St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary. The pews were of walnut and oak. The exterior was brick with free-stone trim. A tall steeple was planned for the northwest corner. It was to be 160 feet tall.
A schoolhouse was completed in 1894. It cost $25000.
The church and school were landmarks. They were demolished for the new East River Bridge development now the Williamsburg Bridge. The parish was expected to merge with St. Mary’s.
In July 1900 the Trustees purchased property at Grand and Lewis Streets. Ground was to be broken for a new edifice costing at least $100000. The 1871 church was demolished around July 1901.
The stretch of Cannon Street that the 1871 church occupied remains. It is the only section extant after the Williamsburg Bridge opened in 1903.
Plans for a parochial school began in 1887. The first school building was built in 1894. It was located on Canon Street.
The story of St. Rose of Lima Old Church is a reminder of change. The needs of the city resulted in its demolition. Yet its memory lives on.