St. Anthony of Padua Church rectory

862 Manhattan Avenue | Greenpoint | built 1888

Open on the map3 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. 1873

    August 24

    St. Anthony of Padua parish lays the cornerstone of its new church beside the rectory site

    The cornerstone of the new St. Anthony of Padua church, at Manhattan Avenue and Milton Street, was laid on August 24, 1873. The parish complex that includes today's rectory at 862 Manhattan Avenue grew from land bought in stages: Bishop Loughlin purchased a residence site on Manhattan Avenue in 1859, the Milton Street plot came from Samuel J. Tilden in 1865, and the Leonard Street frontage was added in 1873. The earlier church, on India Street, had served the parish since 1858.

    “The cornerstone for the new church building was laid on August 24, 1873.”

    Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

  2. 1875

    Patrick Keely's St. Anthony of Padua church is dedicated on Manhattan Avenue

    The church of St. Anthony of Padua was completed and dedicated in 1875, after its cornerstone was laid in 1873. Its architect, Patrick Keely, was born in Ireland in 1816, arrived in 1842 and began as a carpenter. His first church, Sts. Peter and Paul in Williamsburg, came from a friend's request in 1846, and he went on to design more than 600 churches. Brownstoner notes that some consider it his best Brooklyn church.

    Source: brownstoner.com

  3. 1888

    A new four-story neo-Gothic rectory is built at 862 Manhattan Avenue

    In 1888 the parish built a new rectory just south of the church, at 862 Manhattan Avenue, and turned the 1874 rectory at No. 878 into a convent. The landmark report describes the four-story neo-Gothic building as having a rock-faced stone base, a pointed-arched entrance on polished stone columns, and light stone quoins against brick. Its architect is not known, though the likeness to the church suggests Keely.

    “In 1888 a new rectory was built to the south of the church (No. 862) and the older building converted to a convent.”

    Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

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