Church of the Holy Apostles (Manhattan) facts for kids
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Church of the Holy Apostles
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 296 Ninth Ave. Manhattan, New York City |
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| Built | 1845-48 1853-54 1858 |
| Architect | Minard Lafever Charles Babcock |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000867 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1972 |
The Church of the Holy Apostles is an Episcopal church. It is located at 296 Ninth Avenue in the Chelsea area of Manhattan, New York City. The church building was constructed between 1845 and 1848. It was designed by the architect Minard Lafever.
The church's beautiful stained-glass windows were created by William Jay Bolton. This historic building faces Chelsea Park across 9th Avenue. It is recognized as a New York City landmark. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Church
The Holy Apostles church started in 1844. It began as a Sunday school outreach program. This program was for immigrants working near the Hudson River waterfront. Construction of the main church building began in 1845. It was finished in 1848.
Building Expansions and Design
Architect Minard Lafever first designed the church. He made the building 25 feet longer in 1853–54. This addition was called a chancel. In 1858, the church needed more space. Architect Charles Babcock then enlarged the building. He added transepts to make it cross-shaped.
This church is the only one Lafever designed in Manhattan that is still standing. It is also one of the few buildings in Manhattan with an Italianate style. Some people also describe its style as early Romanesque Revival architecture. The church's details include unique corbels.
Community Involvement and Social Action
The church has always been very active in its community. It is believed that the church was a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. This happened during the American Civil War.
In the 1970s, the church helped start a synagogue. This was Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. The church hosted this congregation from 1973 to 1975. They hosted them again from 1998 until 2016. In the same decade, the church hosted an important event. The first woman priest in the New York area, Rev. Ellen Barrett, was ordained there.
In 1982, the church started the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. This kitchen still serves meals to people in need today.
Saving the Church Building
The Church of the Holy Apostles is located in Penn South. This is a large housing cooperative. When Penn South was being built in 1959, there was a plan to tear down the church. However, the church and three other buildings were saved.
In 1990, a fire badly damaged the church. Some of the stained-glass windows were lost. But most of the windows were saved. A restoration project began right away. It was finished in 1994. The church's social services continued without stopping during this time.
The Church of the Holy Apostles became a New York City landmark in 1966. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de los Santos Apóstoles (Manhattan) para niños
- Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen
