St. Ignatius of Antioch Church (New York City) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 552 W. End Ave., New York, New York |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Haight, Charles C.; Cram & Ferguson |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001442 |
| Added to NRHP | November 30, 1999 |
The St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church is a historic church. It is part of the Episcopal faith. You can find it at 552 West End Avenue in Manhattan. This is in the Upper West Side neighborhood of New York City. The church was built in 1903. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This means it is a special building with historical importance.
Contents
Discovering the Church's Past
The church community started in 1871. It was founded by the [Rev. Dr. Ferdinand C. Ewer]. This was part of a movement called Anglo-Catholicism. This movement focuses on older traditions and practices within the Episcopal Church. The church was named after Ignatius of Antioch. He was an important bishop and martyr from the first century. He believed the Eucharist (Holy Communion) was very important. He also believed bishops helped unite the church.
Early Locations and Challenges
The church first met in different places. One was the former Holy Light Church. Another was the former St. Paul's Dutch Reformed Church. This church was near what is now Bryant Park. The current church building was built later. It was designed to follow special "ritualist" standards. This means it had features for traditional church practices. For example, it had a special basin for holy water at the entrance. It also had a built-in confessional. The first services in the new building happened in 1902.
The church had some disagreements with the bishops of New York. This was because of its Anglo-Catholic practices. The Bishop of New York, Rt. Rev. Henry Codman Potter, did not attend the opening. Instead, Bishop Charles C. Grafton from Fond du Lac led the service. He was a leader in the Anglo-Catholic movement.
Welcoming New Ministries
St. Ignatius of Antioch was one of the first Anglo-Catholic churches to welcome women into ministry. In 1980, the Rev. Ellen Barrett preached at a Good Friday service. She was later invited to become an associate priest. This was a big step at the time. It showed the church's willingness to be open to new ideas. This decision also set St. Ignatius apart from some other Anglo-Catholic churches. They were slower to accept women in leadership roles. Around this time, the church also updated its worship style. They started using the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. However, they kept many traditional features in their services.
Exploring the Church's Design
The church building is designed in a beautiful English Gothic style. It was finished in 1902. The architect was Charles C. Haight. He also designed the General Theological Seminary in New York. The inside of the church is shaped like a cross. This is called a cruciform shape. It is made of Roman brick. Stone arches support a wooden roof. Some parts of the church, like the basement, have special Guastavino tile ceilings.
Art and Decorations
More beautiful details were added to the church between 1924 and 1930. This work was led by architect Ralph Adams Cram. These additions include a tall cover for the baptismal font. There are also carved wooden Stations of the Cross. These show scenes from the story of Jesus. The Lady Chapel has a special altar and other furnishings. You can also see colorful statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Ignatius, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Church's Musical Heart
The church has a large organ. It was built in 1966 by Casavant Frères from Québec. In 2010–2011, the organ was repaired. This happened after a water tank above the pipes caused damage. The church is also known for its excellent professional choir. They are especially good at performing music from the Renaissance period. The church has great acoustics, which means sound travels well. Because of this, it also hosts many concerts.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Episcopal de San Ignacio de Antioquía (Nueva York) para niños
