Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church (Maspeth, New York)

Last updated
General information
Town or city Maspeth, Queens, New York
Country United States of America
Construction started1913

The Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, also known as the Church of the Holy Cross, is Roman Catholic Church in Maspeth, Queens, New York. It is considered as one of the national churches [1] within the geographical area. Historically, the purpose of establishing the church and its parish in 1912 was to provide spiritual services to early immigrants from Poland. It once had a school known as the Holy Cross School. The church is located at 61-21 56th Road, Maspeth, New York 11378. [2] [3]

Contents

History

Its parish was organized in 1908 as the Society of St. Joseph. The leader of the parish in 1912 was Reverend Adalbert Nawrocki (its first pastor, also known as Rev. Wojciech Nawrocki), when plans were made for the building of the church itself. Its first parishioners had to visit their then bishop 26 times before their wish to erect a church building was granted at the cost of around US$75,000. Its cornerstone was laid on June 22, 1913, and was completed after five months. [4] Its first mass was held in October 1, 1913. [3]

Architectural specifications

Dedicated on November 30, 1913, the church was built based on Roman-style design. It can seat 800 persons. It has three altars made of marble, stained-glass windows, Stations of the Cross and features two sacristies. It has a tower belfry with a chime of bells. Its school was a stone structure with eight classrooms that could accommodate 1600 children altogether. It also had a gymnasium, rooms for the Sokoly Society and other activities. [3]

The AIA's Guide comments of the building that, "the voluptuous curvilinear verdigris copper steeple makes this church extraordinary. Disney must be jealous." [5]

American Institute of Architects professional association for architects

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image. The AIA also works with other members of the design and construction team to help coordinate the building industry.

<i>AIA Guide to New York City</i> book

The AIA Guide to New York City by Norval White, Elliot Willensky, and Fran Leadon is an extensive catalogue with descriptions, critique and photographs of significant and noteworthy architecture throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Originally published in 1967, the fifth edition, with new co-author Fran Leadon, was published in 2010.

Historical organ

The church features a Wurlitzer or theatre-style organ, a musical instrument built by George H. Ryder (from Boston, Massachusetts) in circa 1878 and was rebuilt by Bozeman-Gibson (from Deerfield, New Hampshire) in 1973. The organ was formerly built for the State Prison in Concord, Massachusetts. [3]

See also

The St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic church in Maspeth, Queens, New York, whose parish was organized in 1872. Historically, it is one of only three churches in the area to have organized schools for its parishioners, known as the St. Stanislaus Kostka School. Its sister church is the Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church.

Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church church building in Maspeth, United States of America

The Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, also known as Church of the Transfiguration, is a Roman Catholic church in Maspeth, Queens in New York, located at 64-14 Clinton Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378. Belonging to the Diocese of Brooklyn, its current pastor is Msgr. Joseph P. Calise. Described as one of the most beautiful buildings in Queens, it can be found on Perry Avenue to the east of 64th Street. Its parish is the first Lithuanian parish in Queens, New York. At present, it is regarded as one of the "national churches" in the area. It is the sister church of St. Stanislaus Kostka.

St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church church building in New York, United States of America

The Saint Adalbert Roman Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic church in Elmhurst, Queens, New York, located at 52-29 83rd Street, Elmhurst, New York 11373. It was founded in November 1892 primarily to serve immigrants from Poland who settled in the areas of Elmhurst, Maspeth and neighboring villages.

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References

  1. Explanation from Genealogical FAQ’s:
    During the 1800’s and 1900’s two types of parishes were erected: national parishes and territorial parishes. National parishes were founded for Catholics of a specific nationality: e.g., German, Italian, Polish, Lithuanian, Spanish-speaking. Territorial parishes were the predominant type, covering a specific geographical area. Irish Catholics and others without a specific national church would have attended the territorial parish whose boundaries they lived within. During the twentieth century, parishes were specifically founded for African-Americans. Rather than founding parishes for new ethnic groups, parishes offer Mass in their language (some parishes have Mass in five languages!). Unless otherwise noted, the parishes listed below were territorial parishes.
  2. Learning The St. Stan’s Way; Special Approach Seen At Parish School And Church, by Bill Mitchell, Times Newsweekly
  3. 1 2 3 4 Church of the Holy Cross (Roman Catholic)
  4. Queens Polish Parish Marks 100 Years by Jaroslaw Smigielski (Translated from Polish by Aleksandra Slabisz) Voices of NY, June 4, 2013
  5. Norval White; Elliot Willensky; Fran Leadon (11 May 2010). AIA Guide to New York City. Oxford University Press. p. 775. ISBN   978-0-19-977291-9.

Coordinates: 40°43′28.7″N73°54′13.0″W / 40.724639°N 73.903611°W / 40.724639; -73.903611