St. Aloysius Catholic Church (New York City)
Catholic parish church in New York City
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The St. Aloysius Catholic Church[2] is a Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of New York, located at 209-217 West 132nd Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.
Manhattan, New York City
| St. Aloysius Catholic Church | |
|---|---|
(2014) | |
 Interactive map of the St. Aloysius Catholic Church area | |
| General information | |
| Location | 209-217 West 132nd Street Manhattan, New York City |
| Construction started | 1902 (church);[1] 1940(school)[1] |
| Cost | $60,000 (church);[1] $60,000 (school)[1] |
| Client | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York[1] |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Masonry |
| Design and construction | |
| Architects | William W. Renwick (1902 church);[1] Starret & Van Vleck & Purdy & Henderson (1940 school)[1] |
| Website | |
| https://staloysiuschurchny.org/ | |
It was built in 1902-04 and was designed by William W. Renwick – the nephew of James Renwick Jr. – in the Italian Gothic Revival style.[3] It has been called a "little-known treasure".[4] The church was designated a New York City Landmark on January 30, 2007.[5]
History and description
The St. Aloysius congregation was established in 1899 and has been staffed by the Jesuit Fathers, of which Saint Aloysius Gonzaga was himself a member.[6] The congregation was originally primarily German, Irish and Italian immigrants and their families.[3] The current congregation is primarily African American, and gospel music is utilized in the services.[4] The congressman Charles Rangel was an altar boy and lifelong member.[7]
The brick church designed by Renwick has an "usually intricate facade, with colorful bands of red brick, celadon glazed bricks and polychrome terra cotta,"[3] creating "an evocative and delicate facade."[8] Sculpted reliefs on the depict Christ, the Holy Family and two angels.[3] The overall design compares favorably to Renwick's All Saints Church on East 129th Street,[4] and may have been inspired by Renwick's travels in Italy before joining his uncle's firm.[8]
Gallery
In 1914
Entrance
Top
Circular window detail
Top right of facade
Relief sculpture detail
