Church of St. Mary the Virgin (Manhattan) facts for kids
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Church of St. Mary the Virgin Complex
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(2008)
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| Location | 133-145 W. 46th St. & 136-144 W. 47th St. Manhattan, New York City |
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| Built | 1894-95 |
| Architect | Napoleon LeBrun & Sons, Pierre Le Brun, architect-in-charge |
| Architectural style | French Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000606 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 16, 1990 |
The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is a special kind of Episcopal church in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It's known for its "Anglo-Catholic" style, which means it has some traditions similar to the Catholic Church. The church is part of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.
You can find this church right in the heart of Times Square. It's located at 133-145 West 46th Street. Other buildings that are part of the church complex are on West 47th Street. People sometimes call it "Smoky Mary's." This is because a lot of incense is used during its church services.
The church was finished in 1895. Many people think it's one of New York's best examples of Gothic-style buildings from the late 1800s. It became a New York City landmark in 1989. Then, in 1990, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical places across the United States.
Contents
History of the Church
The First Church Building
The idea for the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin started in 1868. A man named Thomas McKee Brown wanted to create a church in New York City. He wanted it to show the full traditions of Catholic thought within the Episcopal Church.
A year after he became a priest, Brown shared his plan with the Bishop of New York, Horatio Potter. The Bishop thought a church was needed near Longacre Square. This area was later renamed Times Square in 1905. John Jacob Astor, a famous businessman, donated three plots of land for the church. He had one condition: the church must be free for everyone and follow strict religious rules.
The first church building's cornerstone was laid on April 6, 1868. It was located at 228 West 45th Street. Today, the Booth Theatre stands on that spot. The church leaders named it after the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first church was designed by William T. Hallett. It was officially opened on December 8, 1870.
Building the New Church
By 1890, the church congregation had grown too large for the old building. In 1892, a church member named Miss Sara L. Cooke passed away. She left a large sum of money, about $700,000, to the church. This money helped fund a new, bigger church.
Brown and the church leaders decided to use this money to build a new church complex. It would be built on eight lots of land, stretching from 46th to 47th Streets. The new complex would include the main church, a rectory (where the head priest lives), a clergy house for other priests, and a mission house for the sisters. The new church was designed in the French Gothic style. It was planned to seat 800 people.
Building this large church was a big challenge for the architects, Napoleon LeBrun & Sons. Pierre LeBrun was the main designer. They had experience using steel frames in buildings. This church was special because it was the first church in the world built with a hidden steel frame inside its walls. This changed how churches were usually built. The outside of the church is covered in limestone. The other buildings in the complex are made of brick.
The cornerstone for the new church was laid on December 8, 1894. The church was officially opened in 1895. The finished church was about 60 feet (18 meters) wide and 180 feet (55 meters) long. The main part of the church, called the nave, was 80 feet (24 meters) high and 46 feet (14 meters) wide. The chancel, at the north end, was 48 feet (15 meters) deep. It had the same marble altar that was used in the first church. Many sculptures by J. Massey Rhind also decorated the new building.
The Church Today
Today, Saint Mary's is famous for its serious church services and beautiful choir and organ music. On Sundays, they have a "Solemn High Mass" and "Solemn Evensong and Benediction." Mass is also offered every day. As mentioned, because of the large amount of incense used, some people still call it "Smoky Mary's."
In 1996 and 1997, the inside of the church was cleaned and restored. This work brought back the bright colors, including deep blue ceilings with gold stars.
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The Nave, the main part of the church where people sit.
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A beautiful statue of Our Lady (the Blessed Virgin Mary).
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A Corpus Christi processional (a religious parade) walking through Times Square.
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Priests and helpers at the high altar. This altar was moved from the first church building.
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The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold giving a sermon at Saint Mary's.
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The back of the church building on 47th Street.
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A view looking towards the high altar inside the church.
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A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the church's entrance.
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Music at Saint Mary's
The choir at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is made up of professional singers. They perform music for the church services. During each Solemn Mass, they sing plainchant in its original Latin language. The choir performs a wide range of music, from very old songs from the Middle Ages to pieces by modern composers.
Many talented musicians have worked as organist and music director at the church. Some of them include McNeil Robinson, Kyler Brown, and Robert McCormick. The current organist and music director is David Hurd.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Santa María la Virgen (Nueva York) para niños
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets
- High church
- Oxford Movement
- Donald L. Garfield
- Grieg Taber
- Granville M. Williams SSJE rector 1930-1939
