The present Southern Sicilian Romanesque-style brick church at 193 Tenth Avenue was built 1930 to the designs of John Van Pelt of Van Pelt, Hardy & Goubert.[3] Plan were filed in 1929, and it was likely begun that year.[8] Stylistically, it is similar to Van Pelt's other churches in Manhattan and the Bronx. The church design "is reminiscent of the early Romanesque sculpture at the abbey of Moissac. Both churches have a scalloped profile that seems to incorporate a bit of Moorish influence. Both the human and animal forms are treated with the same incredible flexibility...."[3] The AIA Guide to New York City (1988) writes "The church's simple brick and limestone Southern Sicilian Romanesque facade merges with the Tuscan village forms of auxiliary buildings to the north in a well- related group."[5]AIA Guide to New York City (2010) describes the church as "lush brick and limestone, Italian Romanesque, backed up snug against the High Line. Despite the obvious difference in style and materials, the two were built around the same time."[6]
Parish history
The parish was founded in 1888 by the Rev. William A. O'Neill, who remained pastor until 1895 when he was transferred to St. Ann's as rector.[7] The first church was dedicated June 10, 1888 by Bishop Conroy.[7] The address for the first church was located at 513 West 23rd Street, as recorded in 1892.[9]
The parish was founded to minister to workers at the bustling waterfront piers on the nearby Hudson River.[1] A new church was completed in 1910 to the designs of George H. Streeton also at 513<My great grandmother married her second husband there in 1906. The address on the Certificate Of Marriage is 511 W. 23rd St. NOT 513 W. 23rd St.> West 23rd Street, replacing the 1888 church building.[1] "In 1911, a parochial school was opened."[7] In 1914, the following was reported: "The Catholic population numbers 3,000, and the church property is valued at $60,000, all out of debt."[7]
That area's redevelopment in the 1930s with the construction of the elevated freight railroad, the High Line, by the New York Central Railroad necessitated the church's removal.[1] Similar to the story of nearby St. Michael, the church's demolition and removal for redevelopment in the interests of a railroad were allegedly paid for by that developing railroad, which in this case was the New York Central.[1] The architecture of the new church (see Buildings section) both seemingly ignores and stands in stark contrast, almost antagonistically to that of the High Line, perhaps reflecting this early relationship.
Although threatened with closure, the Archdiocese announced on January 19, 2007 that Guardian Angel would retain its parish status.[10]
Pastors
1888–1895: Rev. William A. O'Neill, transferred 1895 as rector of St. Ann's[7]
1895–1909: Rev. John C. Henry,[7] former pastor of St. Mary's Church.[11] He had been assisted until 1904 by the Rev. Anthony J. Morgan (transferred to the Mission of Our Lady of the Rosary), replaced by the Rev. Francis A. Kiniry.[12]
1909–1930: Rev. James F. Raywood[7] (Dec 7, 1854 – Apr 6, 1930), a former assistant at St. Columba, a pastor of St. Mary’s Church (Newburg, New York), and founding pastor at a Monticello, New York, parish.[13] In 1914, Fr. Raywood was assisted by the Revs. Timothy J. O'Brien and Daniel J. Fant.[7]
1971–1983: Msgr. Thomas J. McGovern, pastor of Guardian Angel Church and chaplain for the Port of New York. Ordained 1950. Ref: New York Times Obituaries 6-20-1986.
The school was founded in 1911 and has always been run by a professional lay staff and the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh.[25] "In 1911, a parochial school was opened; its school roll in 1914 shows an attendance of 132 boys and 130 girls."[7] Five Sisters of St. Dominic ran the school, as reported in 1914.[7] Along with the church's relocation in 1930, the school relocated to its current location at 193 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10011.[25] The style of the schoolhouse is the same as the church, indicating that the complex was built by Van Pelt concurrently with the church building in 1930, or thereabouts. The current principal is Miss Maureen McElduff.[25]
In 2016, Guardian Angel School was featured in the HBO Documentary Class Divide. This documentary showcases what it means to grow up in Chelsea and the power of education.
In 2018, the Manhattan Region released a video called "We are One" featuring different Guardian Angel staff and families.
The current principal of Guardian Angel School is Christie Acosta-Perez.
^"Questionnaire for Architects’ Roster and/or Register of Architects Qualified for Federal Public Works "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-02-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) May 6, 1946
^“Father Raywood, Formerly Here, Expires Sunday,” Newburgh News, Apr 7, 1930, Retrieved 21 July 2011. Full article: “Rev. James R. Raywood who from 1907 to 1910 was pastor of St. Mary’s church in this city, died yesterday in St. Vincent's Hospital, New York City, of pneumonia. He was 75 years old. Father Raywood has been the pastor of the Church of the Guardian Angel, 517 West Twenty-third street for the past 20 years. He was born In New York city and educated in the schools there, completing his studies for the priesthood in the American College in Rome. After his ordination, he was assigned to St. Columbia’s Church [sic], New York City and later sent to Monticello, where he organized a church and remained its pastor until assigned to the New York church, where he remained until his death. The funeral service will be held in the Church of the Guardian Angel on Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock.”
^"FOUR PASTORATES FILLED.; Appointments by Cardinal Hayes...", The New York Times, Oct 20, 1934, Retrieved 21 July 2011. Excerpt: "John J. O'Donnell, formerly assistant at Holy Trinity Church, Manhattan, to the pastorship of the Church of the Guardian Angel...."
^"FATHER O'DONNELL GREETS NEW FLOCK; Successor to the Late Father Grogan at Guardian Angel Church Lauds Predecessor,"The New York Times, Oct 29, 1934, Retrieved 21 July 2011. Excerpt: "The Rev. John J. O'Donnell, who has been an assistant at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Broadway and Eighty-second Street, for the last sixteen years, addressed the congregation of the Guardian Angel Church, Tenth Avenue and Twenty-first Street, yesterday morning as newly appointed pastor.... addressed the congregation of the Guardian Angel Church, Tenth Avenue and ... Father O'Donnell, who is director of the Manhattan Division of the New ... ."
^“Priest Going to White House to Get Medal Voted for Inducing Gunman to Surrender,”The New York Times, Sep 2, 1940, Retrieved 21 July 2011. Excerpt: “WASHINGTON, Sept. 1--A New York City priest has been invited to the White House to receive a rare Congressional tribute, a medal in recognition of his valor in helping to capture a gunman barricaded in a midtown apartment….Francis X. Quinn of the Church of the Guardian Angel, New York City, by the Seventy-sixth Congress of the United States in recognition of his valor in ....”
