House of Worship

I love history and the repository of much history in New York City is in it's Houses of Worship.  

     This house of worship is Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, which as of 3/17/10 by order of the Pope became a Basilica.  It is also on the National Register for Historic sites.  It was built in 1809 and designed by Joseph Francois Margin.  The city's first Cathedral, is located on Prince and Mott Streets.  The church and parishioners were so often subjected to violence by anti-catholic "nativists" that  a wall was built around the church.  The "nativists" burned the church in 1866.  The most famous parishioner, who is also buried there, is Pierre Toussaint.  Born a slave in Haiti; he is now called "Blessed" because he is being considered for sainthood.  He founded and supported the first school for black children.  It was  located on Canal St.  Most famous Pastor: Archbishop John Hughes.  He invited the Sisters of Charity to New York and together they began Catholic Social Services, and built 30 free parochial schools, 14 academies, 3 orphanages, 2 shelters and St. Vincent's Hospital.  It was needed because of the influx of 1.1 million Irish immigrants.  Saint Patrick's Grammar School on Prince Street is the oldest in America and still operating.