House of Worship

I believe that's Saint Anthony of Padua.  Actually in Portugal he's known as St. Anthony of Lisbon.  He was born in Lisbon in 1195 and died just outside Padua, Italy in 1231.  He was born Fernando Martins De Bulhoes and came from a wealthy family.  He became a Franciscan priest; renowned for his knowledge of the bible and for his preaching.  During his life he was reputed to have been the cause of many miracles and was canonized shortly after his death.  How he became the patron Saint of lost objects I have no idea.
The church was designed by noted architect Arthur Crooks and built between 1886 and 1888 in the Romanesque Revival style.  The interior is quite impressive and that may be why it is known as the Italian Cathedral in New York.  The original parish opened in 1866 in a former Methodist Church, and so it is the oldest parish continuously ministering to Italians in the U.S.  St. Anthony School opened in 1872 and Mother, now Saint, Cabrini taught there for awhile.
Yesterday, First Ave was the scene of a New Orleans funeral march with a ragtime band, big umbrellas, and dancing mourners.  The owner of TBA, a bar on 2nd Ave. between 2 and 3rd Sts., had been hit while riding his bike.  He passed away and in fitting tribute to a man born in New Orleans they gave him a musical send-off.  Another East Village resident, who was a well known political activist was killed riding his bike.  There is a movement to have the New York Times, our paper of record, list all incidents of bicycle accidents and fatalities.  From what I've seen of the interaction between  bicyclists and cars, taxis, buses, delivery trucks and pedestrians they will need a couple of reporters to do the job. 

                                   Tao Ching:
                          Colors blind the eye.
                          Sounds deafen the ear.
                          Flavors numb the taste.
                          Thoughts weaken the mind.
                          Desires wither the heart.