St. Aloysius Catholic Church (New York City) Facts for Kids

The St. Aloysius Catholic Church is a special church in New York City. It's located in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan. This church is part of the Catholic Church in New York.

It was built a long time ago, between 1902 and 1904. A talented architect named William W. Renwick designed it. He used a style called Italian Gothic Revival, which makes it look like old churches from Italy. People have called it a "little-known treasure" because it's so beautiful. In 2007, it was officially named a New York City Landmark, which means it's an important historical building.

Quick facts for kids St. Aloysius Catholic Church
(2014)
General information
Location	209-217 West 132nd Street Manhattan, New York City
Construction started	1902 (church); 1940(school)
Cost	$60,000 (church); $60,000 (school)
Client	Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
Technical details
Structural system	Masonry
Design and construction
Architect	William W. Renwick (1902 church); Starret & Van Vleck & Purdy & Henderson (1940 school)

Discovering St. Aloysius Church: Its Story and Look
- The Church's Unique Design
Images for kids
See also

Discovering St. Aloysius Church: Its Story and Look

The St. Aloysius community, also called a congregation, started in 1899. It has always been led by priests from the Jesuit Fathers. Saint Aloysius Gonzaga was a member of this same group.

When the church first began, most of its members were immigrants. They came from Germany, Ireland, and Italy, along with their families. Today, the church community is mostly African American. They often use gospel music during their services, which makes them very lively.

The Church's Unique Design

The church building is made of brick and was designed by William Renwick. It has a very detailed front, called a facade. You can see colorful stripes of red brick. There are also bricks in a light green color, called celadon. Plus, there are many different colored terra cotta pieces.

All these materials create a beautiful and delicate look for the church. You can also see carved pictures, called reliefs, on the building. These carvings show Christ, the Holy Family, and two angels.