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St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church

January 01, 1970

St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church is a parish church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, located in Manhattan on West 49th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. The parish has served the theatre community in a special way since 1920, and its parishioners have included many actors, such as Bob Hope and Gregory Peck.[3]

The Church of St. Malachy
(The Actors' Chapel)
General information
Architectural styleGothic Revival
Location239 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Coordinates40°45′41″N 73°59′08″W / 40.761484°N 73.985602°W / 40.761484; -73.985602
Construction started1910[2]
Completed1920[2]
ClientRoman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
Design and construction
Architect(s)Joseph Hubert McGuire, Thomas J. Duff, Robert J. Reiley[1]
Website
actorschapel.org

Founding edit

Due to an influx of Irish immigrants to the nearby Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, Sacred Heart Church was unable to accommodate the need and a second parish was established. St. Malachy's was founded in 1902 by Archbishop Farley, with the Rev. William Daly named the first pastor.[2][4] Services were soon being held in a basement sanctuary. The church was designed by prolific ecclesiastical architect, Joseph Hubert McGuire, and built the following year.[5]

The Actors' Parish edit

Around 1920 the Theater District started to move uptown into this area, and actors, dancers, and musicians became prominent worshipers at the church, replacing the traditional, working class congregants. To answer their needs, the pastor, Monsignor Edward F. Leonard, had the Chapel of St. Genesius, the patron saint of actors – commonly called the "Actors' Chapel" – constructed below the main church in 1920. It was designed by architect Thomas J. Duff.[1]

Leonard sought the special permission of the Archbishop of New York for Masses to be celebrated there at 4 A.M. (which was banned by canon law at the time) to accommodate the non-standard schedules of theater workers and thus make worship convenient for them.

St. Malachy soon became a primary place of worship for the entertainment community.[2] It gained worldwide attention when the church was the setting for the funeral of Rudolph Valentino, as well as of the wedding of Douglas Fairbanks Jr. to Joan Crawford.[2] Celebrity worshipers were often in attendance, as well as theater goers, and the nearby location of Madison Square Garden during that time helped to provide a steady stream of visitors. Robert J. Reiley designed an additional wing on the west side of the church in 1930.[1] Until the late 1960s average monthly attendance at Sunday services totaled some 16,000 people.[6] The church's chimes would play "There's No Business Like Show Business."[2] "It is a Broadway tradition to light a candle at the Actors' Chapel for the success of a show on opening night."[1]

Changing neighborhoods edit

By 1968, the neighborhood was undergoing a drastic change as the theatre community started to move out and the area became home to a community plagued by poverty and drugs. Madison Square Garden moved away. Most who stayed were elderly and poor. Many were held virtually under siege in decaying single room occupancy hotels or in tenements with a tub in the kitchen and a shared bathroom in the hallway.[7]

Msgr. Thomas J. O'Brien was brought from a parish in the South Bronx to help deal with the new realities of the neighborhood. He was succeeded by the Rev. George W. Moore in 1976, who created a new model of pastoral outreach.[8] Under his pastorate, the church "expanded its mission to the elderly, poor, homeless, and home-bound."[2] In 1991, after 25 years as pastor, Moore was awarded a Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre for his service to the elderly of the theater district.[2] He received it shortly before his death from cancer.[9]

List of pastors edit

  • The Rev. William G. B. Daly (1902–1906)
  • The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Francis Delany (1906–1917)[10]
  • The Rev. Lawrence E. Murray III (1917–1920)[11]
  • The Very Rev. Msgr. Edward F. Leonard (1920–1937)[12][13]
  • The Rt. Rev. Msgr. James B. O'Reilly (1941–1960)[14]
  • The Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. O'Brien (1966–1976)[15]
  • The Rev. George W. Moore (1976–1991)[2]
  • The Rev. Michael C. Crimmins (1991–2001)[16]
  • The Rev. Erno Diaz (2001–2003)
  • The Rev. Richard D. Baker (2003–2015)[17]
  • The Rev. Peter M. Colapietro (2015–2018)[18][19]
  • The Rev. John Fraser (2018-) Parish Administrator [18]

Notable ceremonies edit

Noted attendees edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Thagard, Gavin and Sara, Marian. "St. Malachy's: The Actors' Chapel." Clio: Your Guide to History. May 5, 2017
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z David W. Dunlap, From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. (New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.) p. 224.
  3. ^ a b Dworin, Caroline H. (April 18, 2009). "Plot Twist at the Actors' Temple". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 6, 2022. Its fame may be eclipsed by the Actors' Chapel, a Roman Catholic church a few blocks away that was attended by Gregory Peck and Bob Hope, among others.
  4. ^ Remigius Lafort, S.T.D., Censor, The Catholic Church in the United States of America: Undertaken to Celebrate the Golden Jubilee of His Holiness, Pope Pius X. Volume 3: The Province of Baltimore and the Province of New York, Section 1: Comprising the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn, Buffalo and Ogdensburg.... (New York City: The Catholic Editing Company, 1914), p.344.
  5. ^ Kahn, Robert, ed. (2002). New York City. City Secrets. Vol. 4. Little Bookroom. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-892145-08-6.
  6. ^ "History". St. Malachy.
  7. ^ "St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church - New York City". www.nycago.org.
  8. ^ "A Half Block Off Broadway, Father George Moore Oversees the Miracle of 49th Street". people.com.
  9. ^ "Rev. George W. Moore, 64, Pastor Who Invigorated 'Actors' Chapel'". The New York Times. May 4, 1991.
  10. ^ "St. Malachi's new pastor". New York Times. September 25, 1906. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  11. ^ "St. Malachy's Pastor dies". New York Times. August 8, 1920. Retrieved December 26, 2011. The Rev. Lawrence E. Murray III, Two Weeks of Pneumonia
  12. ^ "Actors to Honor Priest". New York Times. November 22, 1937. Retrieved October 16, 2009. Theatrical celebrities will participate in a testimonial dinner to be given in honor of Mgr. Edward F. Leonard, pastor of St. Malachy's Roman Catholic Church, known as the Actors Church, next Sunday evening in the Hotel Astor.
  13. ^ "Mgr. Leonard dies:'Actors' Priest,' 70". New York Times. November 28, 1937. Retrieved December 26, 2011. Pastor of St. Malachy's for 20 Years Revered by Stage Folk
  14. ^ "Mgr. O'Reilly named St. Malachy Pastor". New York Times. June 13, 1941. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  15. ^ Msgr. O'Brien gained notice ten years later, when, after suffering from a stroke, he refused to be fed intravenously, and declared that he should be allowed to die. The Catholic nursing home where he was being cared for went to court to require that he accept treatment. Against the judgment of four psychiatrists, the judge declared him incompetent and ordered that a feeding tube be inserted into his stomach. He died a month later, at age 84.Johnson, Kirk (November 8, 1986). "Sick Priest ruled incompetent". New York Times. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
  16. ^ Howe, Marvine (November 7, 1993). "Neighborhood Report: Midtown; The 'Miracle' at St. Malachy's". New York Times. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  17. ^ McKinley, Jesse (December 23, 2005). "Finding God". New York Times "Theater". Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  18. ^ a b The Actors' Chapel, St. Malachy's Church
  19. ^ Fr. Fraser became administrator of the Parish in 2017 when Fr. Colapietro entered treatment for emphysema. He currently remains Parish Admistrator following the death of Fr. Colapietro Barron, James (February 9, 2018). "Peter Colapietro, 'saloon priest' who ministered to lowly and mighty; at 69". Boston Globe. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  20. ^ "LA Times, 1929: Young Doug Weds Joan". www.joancrawfordbest.com.
  21. ^ "Walter O'Malley : Biography : This Day in Walter O'Malley History : September 5". www.walteromalley.com.
  22. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (January 5, 2005). The Valentino Mystique: The Death and Afterlife of the Silent Film Idol. McFarland. ISBN 9780786483419 – via Google Books.
  23. ^ "U-M SMTD - Tennessee Williams @ 100 - About TW". smtd.umich.edu.
  24. ^ "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 13, 1942 – via Google Books.

External links edit

  • Official parish website

January 01, 1970
malachy, roman, catholic, church, parish, church, roman, catholic, archdiocese, york, located, manhattan, west, 49th, street, between, broadway, eighth, avenue, parish, served, theatre, community, special, since, 1920, parishioners, have, included, many, actor. St Malachy Roman Catholic Church is a parish church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York located in Manhattan on West 49th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue The parish has served the theatre community in a special way since 1920 and its parishioners have included many actors such as Bob Hope and Gregory Peck 3 The Church of St Malachy The Actors Chapel General informationArchitectural styleGothic RevivalLocation239 W 49th St New York NY 10019 USACoordinates40 45 41 N 73 59 08 W 40 761484 N 73 985602 W 40 761484 73 985602Construction started1910 2 Completed1920 2 ClientRoman Catholic Archdiocese of New YorkDesign and constructionArchitect s Joseph Hubert McGuire Thomas J Duff Robert J Reiley 1 Websiteactorschapel wbr org Contents 1 Founding 2 The Actors Parish 3 Changing neighborhoods 4 List of pastors 5 Notable ceremonies 6 Noted attendees 7 References 8 External linksFounding editDue to an influx of Irish immigrants to the nearby Hell s Kitchen neighborhood Sacred Heart Church was unable to accommodate the need and a second parish was established St Malachy s was founded in 1902 by Archbishop Farley with the Rev William Daly named the first pastor 2 4 Services were soon being held in a basement sanctuary The church was designed by prolific ecclesiastical architect Joseph Hubert McGuire and built the following year 5 The Actors Parish editAround 1920 the Theater District started to move uptown into this area and actors dancers and musicians became prominent worshipers at the church replacing the traditional working class congregants To answer their needs the pastor Monsignor Edward F Leonard had the Chapel of St Genesius the patron saint of actors commonly called the Actors Chapel constructed below the main church in 1920 It was designed by architect Thomas J Duff 1 Leonard sought the special permission of the Archbishop of New York for Masses to be celebrated there at 4 A M which was banned by canon law at the time to accommodate the non standard schedules of theater workers and thus make worship convenient for them St Malachy soon became a primary place of worship for the entertainment community 2 It gained worldwide attention when the church was the setting for the funeral of Rudolph Valentino as well as of the wedding of Douglas Fairbanks Jr to Joan Crawford 2 Celebrity worshipers were often in attendance as well as theater goers and the nearby location of Madison Square Garden during that time helped to provide a steady stream of visitors Robert J Reiley designed an additional wing on the west side of the church in 1930 1 Until the late 1960s average monthly attendance at Sunday services totaled some 16 000 people 6 The church s chimes would play There s No Business Like Show Business 2 It is a Broadway tradition to light a candle at the Actors Chapel for the success of a show on opening night 1 Changing neighborhoods editBy 1968 the neighborhood was undergoing a drastic change as the theatre community started to move out and the area became home to a community plagued by poverty and drugs Madison Square Garden moved away Most who stayed were elderly and poor Many were held virtually under siege in decaying single room occupancy hotels or in tenements with a tub in the kitchen and a shared bathroom in the hallway 7 Msgr Thomas J O Brien was brought from a parish in the South Bronx to help deal with the new realities of the neighborhood He was succeeded by the Rev George W Moore in 1976 who created a new model of pastoral outreach 8 Under his pastorate the church expanded its mission to the elderly poor homeless and home bound 2 In 1991 after 25 years as pastor Moore was awarded a Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre for his service to the elderly of the theater district 2 He received it shortly before his death from cancer 9 List of pastors editThe Rev William G B Daly 1902 1906 The Rt Rev Msgr Joseph Francis Delany 1906 1917 10 The Rev Lawrence E Murray III 1917 1920 11 The Very Rev Msgr Edward F Leonard 1920 1937 12 13 The Rt Rev Msgr James B O Reilly 1941 1960 14 The Rev Msgr Thomas J O Brien 1966 1976 15 The Rev George W Moore 1976 1991 2 The Rev Michael C Crimmins 1991 2001 16 The Rev Erno Diaz 2001 2003 The Rev Richard D Baker 2003 2015 17 The Rev Peter M Colapietro 2015 2018 18 19 The Rev John Fraser 2018 Parish Administrator 18 Notable ceremonies editDouglas Fairbanks Jr married Joan Crawford 20 Walter O Malley married Katherine Hanson 21 Rudolph Valentino s funeral 22 Tennessee Williams funeral 23 Bunny Berigan s funeral 24 Noted attendees editFred Allen 2 Don Ameche 2 George M Cohan 1 Perry Como 2 Irene Dunne 2 Jimmy Durante 2 who grew up as a parishioner and served as altar boy there Chris Farley 2 Alec Guinness 2 Florence Henderson 2 Hildegarde 2 Bob Hope 2 Ricardo Montalban 2 Pat O Brien 2 Carroll O Connor 2 Gregory Peck 3 Cyril Ritchard 2 Rosalind Russell 2 Elaine Stritch citation needed Danny Thomas 2 Spencer Tracy 2 References edit a b c d e Thagard Gavin and Sara Marian St Malachy s The Actors Chapel Clio Your Guide to History May 5 2017 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z David W Dunlap From Abyssinian to Zion A Guide to Manhattan s Houses of Worship New York Columbia University Press 2004 p 224 a b Dworin Caroline H April 18 2009 Plot Twist at the Actors Temple The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved May 6 2022 Its fame may be eclipsed by the Actors Chapel a Roman Catholic church a few blocks away that was attended by Gregory Peck and Bob Hope among others Remigius Lafort S T D Censor The Catholic Church in the United States of America Undertaken to Celebrate the Golden Jubilee of His Holiness Pope Pius X Volume 3 The Province of Baltimore and the Province of New York Section 1 Comprising the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn Buffalo and Ogdensburg New York City The Catholic Editing Company 1914 p 344 Kahn Robert ed 2002 New York City City Secrets Vol 4 Little Bookroom p 225 ISBN 978 1 892145 08 6 History St Malachy St Malachy Roman Catholic Church New York City www nycago org A Half Block Off Broadway Father George Moore Oversees the Miracle of 49th Street people com Rev George W Moore 64 Pastor Who Invigorated Actors Chapel The New York Times May 4 1991 St Malachi s new pastor New York Times September 25 1906 Retrieved December 26 2011 St Malachy s Pastor dies New York Times August 8 1920 Retrieved December 26 2011 The Rev Lawrence E Murray III Two Weeks of Pneumonia Actors to Honor Priest New York Times November 22 1937 Retrieved October 16 2009 Theatrical celebrities will participate in a testimonial dinner to be given in honor of Mgr Edward F Leonard pastor of St Malachy s Roman Catholic Church known as the Actors Church next Sunday evening in the Hotel Astor Mgr Leonard dies Actors Priest 70 New York Times November 28 1937 Retrieved December 26 2011 Pastor of St Malachy s for 20 Years Revered by Stage Folk Mgr O Reilly named St Malachy Pastor New York Times June 13 1941 Retrieved December 26 2011 Msgr O Brien gained notice ten years later when after suffering from a stroke he refused to be fed intravenously and declared that he should be allowed to die The Catholic nursing home where he was being cared for went to court to require that he accept treatment Against the judgment of four psychiatrists the judge declared him incompetent and ordered that a feeding tube be inserted into his stomach He died a month later at age 84 Johnson Kirk November 8 1986 Sick Priest ruled incompetent New York Times Retrieved December 27 2011 Howe Marvine November 7 1993 Neighborhood Report Midtown The Miracle at St Malachy s New York Times Retrieved December 26 2011 McKinley Jesse December 23 2005 Finding God New York Times Theater Retrieved December 26 2011 a b The Actors Chapel St Malachy s Church Fr Fraser became administrator of the Parish in 2017 when Fr Colapietro entered treatment for emphysema He currently remains Parish Admistrator following the death of Fr Colapietro Barron James February 9 2018 Peter Colapietro saloon priest who ministered to lowly and mighty at 69 Boston Globe Retrieved February 19 2018 LA Times 1929 Young Doug Weds Joan www joancrawfordbest com Walter O Malley Biography This Day in Walter O Malley History September 5 www walteromalley com Ellenberger Allan R January 5 2005 The Valentino Mystique The Death and Afterlife of the Silent Film Idol McFarland ISBN 9780786483419 via Google Books U M SMTD Tennessee Williams 100 About TW smtd umich edu Billboard Nielsen Business Media Inc June 13 1942 via Google Books External links editOfficial parish website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St Malachy Roman Catholic Church amp oldid 1185345682, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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