Holy Cross Church

329 West 42nd Street | Hell's Kitchen | built 1920

Open on the map4 entries

The lot about 1940
About 1940. Via 1940s.nyc
The lot about 1985
About 1985. Via 80s.nyc

The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.

Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.

  1. 1854

    December 17

    The Holy Cross parish dedicates its first church on this site

    Archbishop John J. Hughes calls for new Catholic churches in early 1852, and Reverend Joseph A. Lutz organizes the Holy Cross parish, first using a temporary chapel on West 42nd Street. The parish raises enough money for a permanent church, which is dedicated on December 17, 1854. This earlier building stands where the present church was later built.

    Source: Daytonian in Manhattan

  2. 1870

    May 7

    Lightning damages the church and Henry Engelbert rebuilds it

    A storm on June 18, 1867 sends lightning into the steeple of the original church, and engineers soon conclude the building is badly compromised. Architect Henry Engelbert designs a replacement that combines Romanesque Revival and Gothic Revival elements, with its cornerstone laid on May 31, 1868. The new church, which seats 1,800, is dedicated on May 7, 1870.

    Source: Daytonian in Manhattan

  3. 1886

    March 21

    The parish clears its debt and the church is consecrated

    A rear extension begun in 1885 enlarges the sanctuary by 25 feet. Catholic custom required the debt to be paid before consecration, and on March 21, 1886 the church is consecrated with the parish free of debt. That is more than three decades after the parish was organized.

    Source: Daytonian in Manhattan

  4. 1921

    Father Francis Duffy becomes pastor of Holy Cross

    Francis Patrick Duffy, the decorated World War I chaplain of the 69th Regiment, becomes pastor of Holy Cross in 1921. In January 1932 he receives special permission from the Vatican to hold a 2:15 a.m. Sunday Mass for parishioners who work night shifts. Duffy dies on June 26, 1932.

    Source: Daytonian in Manhattan

Further reading

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