Church of the Holy Innocents (Brooklyn) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church of the Holy Innocents
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 279 E. 17th St., Brooklyn, New York |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Helmle and Corbett |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000617 |
| Added to NRHP | June 16, 2005 |
The Church of the Holy Innocents is a historic Roman Catholic church in the Flatbush, Brooklyn neighborhood of New York City. For over a century, it has served its community as a place of worship and education.
The church is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and is known for its beautiful architecture and impressive pipe organ.
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A Landmark in Flatbush
The Church of the Holy Innocents is more than just a local church; it's an official historic landmark. In 2007, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This honor is given to buildings and sites that are important to American history and culture.
Designing a Gothic Masterpiece
The main church building was completed in 1923. It was designed in a style called Late Gothic Revival. This means its architects were inspired by the grand, soaring cathedrals built in Europe during the Middle Ages.
To create this classic look, the builders used strong, beautiful materials. The main structure is made of granite, a very hard and durable stone, with details carved from lighter-colored limestone.
The church has several distinct parts that create its shape:
- The nave is the long, central hall where the congregation sits. It has a high, gabled roof.
- A clerestory is a row of windows set high up in the nave's walls, allowing sunlight to fill the space.
- The transepts are sections that cross the nave, giving the church a cross-like shape from above.
- The chancel is the area at the front of the church where the altar is located.
- A tall bell tower rises high above the building.
Next to the church are a rectory (a house for the priests), which was also built in 1923, and a school that opened earlier in 1914.
Music at Holy Innocents
Music is a very important part of the life of the church. The building is famous for its magnificent pipe organ.
The Grand Pipe Organ
The church's organ was built in 1922 by the Ernest M. Skinner Organ Company, a famous organ builder from Boston, Massachusetts. This instrument, known as Opus 390, is a large and complex machine designed to create a powerful and beautiful sound.
In 2005, the organ was carefully rebuilt and updated by the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company of Paterson, NJ, to make sure it would continue to sound its best for many more years.
The organ is played at most of the church's weekend services. It is also essential for the English Adult Choir, which has been singing at the church since 1973, making it one of the longest-running church choirs in Brooklyn. As of 2018, the Director of Music was Dr. Alfred E. Cresci, who was also a graduate of the Holy Innocents School.
