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 old and important church in New York City. It's an Episcopal church located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. You can find it at 296 Ninth Avenue near 28th Street. The church building was built a long time ago, between 1845 and 1848. A famous architect named Minard Lafever designed it. The beautiful stained-glass windows were made by William Jay Bolton. This church is a special place, recognized as a New York City landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It faces Chelsea Park, a nice green space across the street.
In 2020, the church had 115 members. About 86 people attended services regularly. The church also received over $239,000 in donations that year.
Contents
History of the Church
The Church of the Holy Apostles started in 1844. It grew from a Sunday school that Trinity Church created. This school helped immigrants who worked near the Hudson River waterfront.
Building the Church
Building the main church started in 1845 and finished in 1848. The original design was by Minard Lafever. Later, in 1853–54, Lafever made the building 25 feet longer. He added a part called a chancel.
In 1858, the church needed more space for its growing community. So, another architect, Charles Babcock, helped expand it. He added transepts, which made the church look like a cross from above.
Unique Architecture
The Church of the Holy Apostles is the only church Lafever designed in Manhattan that is still standing. It's also one of the few buildings in Manhattan with an Italianate design. Some people also say it's an early example of Romanesque Revival architecture. The church's original design had three aisles, like a basilica. The ceiling had beautiful plaster arches.
Community Work and Social Impact
The church has always been very active in helping its community. It is believed that the church was a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped people escape slavery during the American Civil War.
In the 1970s, the church helped start Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. This was a synagogue for a special community group. The church hosted the synagogue from 1973 to 1975. It hosted them again from 1998 until 2016, when the synagogue found its own permanent home.
During the same time, the church hosted an important event. It was the ordination of the first woman priest in the New York diocese, Reverend Ellen Barrett. In 1982, the church started the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. This kitchen still serves meals to people in need in the area 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 talk of tearing down the church. However, four churches on the site, including Holy Apostles, were saved.
In 1990, a fire badly damaged the church building. Some of the beautiful stained-glass windows were lost. But most of them survived without serious harm. Restoration work began almost right away and finished in 1994. The church continued its important social services even during the repairs.
The Church of the Holy Apostles was named a New York City landmark in 1966. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
A story called "Hungry Minds" was published in The New Yorker magazine in 2008. It talked a lot about the church's history. It especially focused on the soup kitchen and a writing workshop held there.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de los Santos Apóstoles (Manhattan) para niños
- Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen
