St. George's Syrian Catholic Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. George's Syrian Catholic Church |
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| Location | 103 Washington Street Manhattan, New York City |
| Area | Financial District Lower Manhattan |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Built | 1812 |
| Built for | Immigrant tenants |
| Restored | 1929 |
| Restored by | Harvey F. Cassab |
| Architectural style(s) | Neo-Gothic |
| Governing body | Private |
| Owner | Chapel Moran, Inc. |
| Designated | July 14, 2009 |
| Reference no. | 2167 |
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St. George's Syrian Catholic Church is an old church building found at 103 Washington Street in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City. It's a special reminder of the Syrian American and Lebanese American people who used to live in an area called Little Syria.
Contents
Building's History
The building was first built around 1812. It had three stories and a pointed roof. By 1850, it was used as a place for immigrants to stay, like a boardinghouse. In 1869, two more stories were added to the building.
Becoming a Church
In 1925, a man named George E. Bardwil bought the building. He was a textiles importer. He bought it for the Syrian Greek Catholic church. This church was started in 1889 to help the Syrian and Lebanese community in the Little Syria neighborhood.
Four years later, in 1929, a Lebanese-American designer named Harvey F. Cassab was hired. He created a new front for the building. His design is called neo-Gothic. It is made of white terra cotta and has a colorful picture of St. George and the Dragon. This design is still there today.
Changes Over Time
After World War II, many Syrian and Lebanese people moved away from the area. Part of their community was even removed to build ramps for the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel. The community later moved to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.
The building was briefly used by a different church group. Then, it stopped being used as a church. In 1982, a company called Moran Inc. bought the building. They turned it into an Irish pub. The pub has since closed, but Moran Inc. still owns and takes care of the building.
A Special Landmark
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission decided the building was a very important historical site. They named it a New York City landmark on July 14, 2009. This means it is protected and its history is recognized.
Inspiration for a Story
Some people believe this church building inspired a famous writer named H.P. Lovecraft. He wrote a story called "The Horror at Red Hook". The building was first built by a man named Ryneer Suydam. This name is very similar to a character in Lovecraft's story, Robert Suydam. It is thought that the building changing from an old apartment building to a Gothic church might have given Lovecraft ideas for his story.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia católica siria de San Jorge para niños
