Built Anew through Faith and Love

The increasing Catholic population of New York City's Lower East Side during the late 1830s and early 1840s caused the Diocese of New York to make plans for a new Catholic church in our neighborhood. Saint Nicholas Church had been built in 1833 on Second Street where Cardinal Spellman Center is now located, but this was a national parish for the German speaking people. Old Saint Patrick's Cathedral was located on Mulberry and Mott Streets, and there was Saint Mary's Church on Grand and Ridge Streets, but both of these churches were a good distance and in different neighborhoods. In addition, newcomers were increasing in large numbers and they hoped for a church of their own.

In 1842, Father Andrew Byrne found the right opportunity to start a church in our area. He discovered that a Presbyterian church on Second Avenue was up for auction, and he sought the permission of Bishop Hughes to purchase the property. Through a non-Catholic friend, Dr. Edward Roche, the church and property were purchased at the highest bid-thirteen thousand dollars. Father Byrne submitted to the Diocesan Council as the name of the new parish, "The Church of the Nativity of the Lord". This beautiful name was accepted and Bishop Hughes appointed Father Byrne as the founding pastor. The parishioners responded enthusiastically to Father Byrne's appeal for funds. The church was then renovated and a new high altar, graced by two Corinthian columns in harmony with the architectural style of the time, was built. 

On Sunday, June 5, 1842, Bishop Hughes preached the dedicatory sermon at a Pontifical High Mass. For the first year of his pastorate Father Byrne resided with Bishop Hughes at the Rectory of old Saint Patrick's Cathedral on Mulberry Street. 

On February 2, 1843, two plots of ground, one at 44 Second Avenue and the other at 44 Second Street, were bought from the famous Washington Irving family by the diocese of New York. The rectory was built at 44 Second Avenue; later on the building on Second Street became the property of LaSalle Academy.

When Father Byrne was appointed bishop of the new diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas, Father Edward O'Neil succeeded him as pastor, and he was soon succeeded by his assistant, Father Richard Kein. Father Kein's administration lasted about a year. In 1848, he was appointed founding pastor of a new church adjoining our parish-St Brigid's Church on Eighth Street and Avenue B. Father George McCloskey was then appointed pastor of Nativity.
The whole east side in this part of Manhattan was growing rapidly. More and more newcomers were pouring into the area. The building laws now permitted the construction of multiple dwellings, which were rented as soon as they appeared.

Dedicated to the People

When Father George McCloskey took charge of Nativity in 1847 he was to serve as our pastor for twenty-two years. During that period the Church of the Nativity became well known and visitors from other parts of New York came to attend Mass and to hear Father McCloskey's eloquent sermons. When ill health forced Father to resign in April, 1869, the parish mourned his loss. 

Father William Everett, our new pastor, had been Father McCloskey's assistant for fourteen years. When he took charge of the parish he was already greatly loved and admired by his parishioners. He was in many ways an extraordinary man; before becoming a priest, he had been an Episcopalian minister. Father Everett worked in the parish until his death at the age of eighty-six on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1900. Forty-five years of his priestly life had been dedicated to the people of Nativity parish. 

Father Bernard J. Reilly was appointed pastor of Nativity in January, 1901, by Archbishop Corrigan. He had been Father Everett's assistant for ten years, and was only thirty-five years old when appointed pastor. 
The dawn of the new century in New York brought far-reaching innovations. The first subway construction began in 1900, the first automobile race was held on Long Island, and the first automobile show was held in Madison Square Garden, What was then the tallest building in the world, the twenty-six story Park Row Building, was erected near City Hall. What the subway, automobile, and skyscraper would mean for New York City was not known, but everyone knew great changes were to come. Some of these changes were beginning in the parish, as the population increased with many people from other countries coming to seek a new life in the United States.

The Loretto Mission

An event of great spiritual importance to Catholics in this part of Manhattan was the opening of a mission in this area by the Jesuit Fathers. In 1891 they established a residence known as the Mission of Our Lady of Loretto, on Elizabeth Street. In that year the eminent scholar and philosopher, Father Nicholas Russo, S.J., came from Georgetown University to work with his fellow countrymen. He rented a store which had been a saloon, and with his assistant, Father Aloysius Romano, repaired and transformed it into a chapel. 

A year later the chapel was too small, and people knelt on the sidewalk during Mass. Larger quarters were purchased and the work increased. For eleven years, Father Russo worked day and night, overcoming what often seemed to be insurmountable difficulties.

When Father Russo died in 1902, Father William H. Walsh, S.J., was appointed Superior of the Loretto Mission. Because of the wonderful work of Father Russo and Father Walsh, the children in the neighborhood were receiving a Catholic education that would profoundly influence their mature lives.

In 1905, the Barat Settlement House was established on Elizabeth Street as a branch of the Mission of Our Lady of Loretto. In 1911, the Settlement acquired new headquarters at 221 Chrystie Street.

Here the Settlement began its work under Father Walsh, with Jesuit priests and brothers working in collaboration with diocesan priests of Nativity parish. Through their work at the settlement, the Jesuit Fathers came into close contact with the parish. 

The Settlement House strove to meet the religious and social needs of the people by providing Sunday Mass, catechetical instruction, clubs for boys, sodalities for girls, the Barat men's club for young business men, and the St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Club for young business women. 

Father Reilly

In the meantime, Nativity's pastor, Father Bernard Reilly, worked quietly and steadily for the parish. Outwardly a shy man, he was always warm and loving toward his parishioners, and he was at his best with children. Under his quiet demeanor there was great courage, as his parishioners discovered during a fire which broke out in the lower floor of the church. That was in 1912, and Father Reilly bravely ran into the church to save the Blessed Sacrament. Happily, Father Reilly was unharmed.

The galleries on the Third Street side of the church were damaged, but the main body of the church was saved. Not until fifty years later was the extent of the damage fully realized.

Father Reilly had to make substantial repairs after the fire. Services were held temporarily in the chapel of the LaSalle Academy adjoining the church on Second Street, but after a few months the church was again in use. 
With great joy, Father Reilly announced the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Church of the Nativity, opening the celebration early in 1917 with a bazaar, and then later with a grand "Minstrel Show" and dance. The "Nativity Minstrels", originated by Father Reilly many years earlier, had become famous all over the city and the show was a great success.

Mindful of the change in population and the great number of immigrant families now in our area, His Eminence, Cardinal Farley and the Diocesan Council asked the Jesuit Fathers of the Mission of Loretto on Elizabeth Street to take pastoral charge of Nativity Parish.

Father Reilly became the pastor of St. Malachy's on West 49th Street, and Father William H. Walsh S.J., Superior of the Loretto Mission, was appointed pastor of Nativity Parish in the Spring of 1917. Some of the Jesuit Fathers remained at Loretto while others took up residence with Father Walsh at Nativity Rectory.

New Pastors, New Ideas

Father Walsh, because of poor health, was to be pastor only for a short time. Father Daniel J. Quinn, S.J., succeeded Father Walsh as Pastor of Nativity Church early in 1919. He had been a Rector of Fordham University and an eminent preacher. At Nativity he was admired most because of his Holy Hours of Friday evenings. It was to Father Quinn's sorrow that during his pastorate the little parochial school of the Jesuit Fathers at the Mission of Our Lady of Loretto was closed through lack of funds. Father Quinn labored for two years at Nativity and in 1921 he was appointed Director of the Laymen's Retreat House at Mount Manresa, Staten Island. 

Father Patrick F. Quinnan, S.J., waas then appointed Pastor of Nativity. Faced with the need of hundreds of children for catechetical instruction because of the closing of the parochial school, Father Quinnan set himself to solve the problem. He organized catechism classes for the children, calling upon nuns and laywomen to do the teaching. Soon, hundreds of children were instructed each week. 

Six years later, in 1927, Fr. Quinnan took further action to meet the catechetical needs of the parish by inviting the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart to take charge of a catechetical center in our parish. The Sisters, whose Mother House was in Towson, Maryland, gladly consented.

A building was bought for the Sisters at 204 Forsyth Street in 1927, and the important Forsyth Street Mission Center came into being. The Sisters have worked in the parish without interruption ever since. They now live in their Community House on SIxty-second Street and commute daily to the parish.
Father Quinnan was soon transferred to the Parish of St. Ignatius Loyola, and Father Dominic Cirigliano, S.J., became our pastor. 

Father Cirigliano was to be Pastor of Nativity twice-first from 1927 to 1933 and then from 1937 to 1940. During his first pastorate Father Cirigliano concentrated on work with the young, encouraging youth clubs and sodalities, and organizing public school teachers to teach catechism. 

In 1933 when Father Cirigliano went to Italy to help organize a new parish there, Father Santo Catalano, S.J., became our pastor. He had been Assistant Pastor of Nativity for ten years. For some time emphasis had been placed on work for the young. Father Catalano now balanced the scales by appealing to adult groups. 

In 1935, Father Catalano transformed the lower floor of the church into an auditorium. For a hundred years it had been used as a cellar, a classroom, and hall. The transformation made it possible for parishioners to use it as a meeting place and a social center. In addition, it was used as a catechetical center and for extra Masses. 

In 1935, Father Cirigliano returned from Rome. Two years later, in June, 1937, Father Catalano was appointed a professor at Gonzaga College, Washington, D.C., and once more became Pastor of Nativity Parish.

For three more years, Father Cirigliano served Nativity with affection. He reorganized the old societies and formed new ones. He was appointed Chaplain of the Boy Scouts and assisted in the building of a youth camp in Hackettstown, N.J., where we sent our children during the summer. In June, 1940, he was transferred to St. Joseph's High School in Philadelphia.

Father Anthony DeMaria, S.J., was then appointed pastor of Nativity. He was the first Nativity boy to become its Pastor. Father DeMaria had been an altar boy at Nativity, had come to his former parish to say his first Mass as a priest in 1933, and had been appointed Assistant Pastor of Nativity in 1937. Father DeMaria made extensive changes in the church, installing a new baptistry and marble pulpit.

For the Parish Centennial in June, 1942, Father DeMaria removed the old galleries. Not until then was it discovered that the damage done by the fire in 1912 was more extensive than anyone had realized. Father DeMaria went ahead with the alterations, repaired as much as possible, and redecorated the church. 
Father DeMaria popularized the Camp at Hackettstown, making trips with the boys, and encouraging them to enjoy life in the country. He worked especially hard with the altar boys, and later many of them recall his guidance with affection.

In June, 1946, Father Francis D. Doino, S.J., was appointed pastor of Nativity. He had been a famous missionary in the Philippine Islands, with experience in the difficult missions on the Island of Mindanao. When World War II broke out he was appointed chaplain of the Filipino battalions in the United States Army. He was captured and imprisoned for ten months, and after many harrowing experiences was liberated from the Los Banos Prison Camp with more than 2,000 prisoners.

Father Doino was a hardworking pastor, showing the same missionary zeal at Nativity as he had overseas. He provided for special religious services at the Forsyth Street Center, offering Mass there every Sunday morning. 
In 1952, Father Doino was succeeded by Father John Quinn, S.J., a most active and loved priest.
Father Quinn was an indefatigable worker, and with the help of the Sisters an expanded catechetical program for children and adults was in operation by 1954. 

Unhappily, Father Quinn was slowed up in his work by a heart attack. He was forced to recuperate several times, but he went ahead with his activities in spite of his condition. In 1957, Father Quinn suffered a fatal heart attack during the Midnight Mass on Easter Sunday.

Father Anthony J. Quevedo, S.J., was then appointed pastor of Nativity Parish. He made extensive repairs to the church, reinforcing the ceiling with metal straps attached to the attic beams. The old marble steps at the entrance of the church were also replaced by new concrete steps.

Father Quevedo reopened the old boys' camp at Monroe, NY, much to the delight of the young boys in the parish. The success of the camp as a place where the parish youth could have a wonderful time under the guidance of skilled adults was a great achievement of Father Quevedo. He worked long and hard to make the camp the fine place it became.

Nativity Mission Center

An important part of Nativity Parish is its Mission Center at 204 Forsyth Street. For many years it served as a convent for the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart and at the same time was a day care and catechetical center. The Sisters worked effectively there for many years, when the center and its work was completely in their hands. 
It was Father Francis Doino, who founded the present center as a place that would care in a special way for the pastoral and social needs of the newly arrived Spanish-speaking parishioners. Over the years the center has known zealous directors- Father Thomas Hession, S.J., Father Arthur Morgan, S.J., Father Thomas Flavin, S.J., but the director whose name became synonymous with the center and its work was Father Walter Janer, S.J. Over a period of ten years, Father Janer initiated many of its programs and worked with extraordinary energy and concern to meet the social, educational, and religious needs of the people. Father John Hoodack, S.J., worked side by side with Father Janer for several years and the pair made an effective team in their work. For many years, Father John McCarthy, S.J., has also assisted the youth of the center by his personal interest in them and by his professional skill in counseling.
The orientation of the center has always been religious and social. Mass is offered there, the Sisters teach catechism daily and prepare the children to receive the Sacraments. Youth clubs and activities, a study hall, a leadership camp for boys, and a summer day camp was begun and continue their important work to this day under the leadership of Father Eugene Feeney, S.J. (at the time of writing)

Closing of the Old Church

In 1963, Father Francis Tierney, S.J., was appointed pastor of Nativity Parish. He had been chaplain of the 65th Infantry Regiment and assistant pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church. He brought to his responsibility as pastor a rich and varied background in pastoral work, and quickly endeared himself to everyone. 

Father Tierney is a priest of outstanding kindness with a personal interest in all with whom he has contact. This quality gave him good rapport with all groups, and the children especially loved him.

The aging condition of the church and the need to strengthen parish finances demanded Father Tierney's attention. He intended to start a bingo in the hall of the church, but first had to install a new boiler to provide more adequate heat for the hall. Archdiocesan officials came to consult about the installation of the boiler, but put off a decision until an evident sag in the ceiling of the church could be examined.

Professional engineers were retained and thoroughly examined the roof. Their report indicated that a dangerous situation existed, and that the roof could collapse. The Archdiocese of New York had no choice but to close the church in early September of 1966, a very sad day in the history of Nativity Parish.

The possibility of constructing a new roof and renovating the church was studied by architects and engineers. A thorough examination of the 134-year-old building indicated that structural and financial considerations made the renovation of the church impossible.

The closing of the church was, of course, a tremendous blow to the parish, and its future became a large question mark. A month after the closing of Nativity, Father Tierney was transferred to the Church of St. Ignatius in Brooklyn where he is now the pastor (at the time of writing). Father Tierney was a popular pastor at Nativity and thus the parishioners were now laboring under a double disappointment- the closing of the church, and the transfer of a well-liked pastor.

In Search of a Solution

Father William P. Pickett, S.J., was appointed pastor of the now churchless parish on October 6, 1966. His task was a clear one; to come to know the people and the work of the parish, to understand what the parishioners wished to do, as well as to judge what was feasible; to work together with the parish leaders and his fellow Jesuits to discover and implement a viable solution to the problem. 

There was no easy solution and a period of learning, discussion and weighing alternatives took place in the Fall and early Winter of 1966-67. It was impossible to repair the church. It seemed too expensive to build a new one. To close the parish would have been a failure to meet the needs of the people, and seemed a betrayal of principle and of the parish.

The concept of purchasing and renovating the old Moskowitz and Lupowitz restaurant was discussed and finally rejected since this would have been a continuation rather than a solution of the problem.  In discussing the situation with a broad spectrum of parishioners, it became clear to the pastor that the people wanted the church; the need was there; but the question was, could it be done, and was it wise to try? Father Pickett kept searching for a solution, but did not originally feel it was feasible to build a new church. The parish leaders were invited to form a Parish Council and to hold their first meeting on February 3, 1967. The situation had been under consideration for four months and the time for a decision had come. Further delay would have made any solution except dissolution of the parish  very difficult.

The pastor left the rectory late on the afternoon of February 2nd so that he would have the time and peace to think the matter through and to prepare for the first meeting of the newly formed Parish Council. In reviewing the situation, the pastor's thinking changed; for the first time he saw the possibility of building a new church; in fact, if the Council and the people gave their wholehearted approval, building a new church looked like the wisest thing to do. The impossible seemed to be the best solution. It would be up to the Parish Council, however,  to review the entire situation and to arrive at their own conclusion.

Eleven men and ten women of the parish met in the dining room of the rectory on the 3rd of February to decide the fate of Nativity Parish. All angles of the situation were discussed. A consensus was reached: demolish the old church and build a new church of the Nativity. A formal vote was taken and unanimous approval was given to the resolution. Father Pickett accepted the decision and the responsibility it would bring, and promised to work with the council to prepare a building proposal suitable for submission to the Archdiocese of New York.
The building proposal was prepared in a week, reviewed and then approved by the Parish Council. It was this plan with certain modifications that was to be accepted by the Archdiocese of New York and that was the basis of building the new church. It is interesting to reread this plan and the paragraphs that follow indicate its spirit.

Parish Proposal

"The Parish Council feels very keenly its responsibility for Nativity Parish. Together with their pastor they have formulated a plan that represents their deepest feeling, combined thinking, and realistic hopes for the future.
"We have no desire to construct a $1,000,000 church, nor one for $500,000. We are not shopping for a Cadillac, but a building that is functional, economical, and simple. It is being built solely for the religious and social needs of the people. We believe that our building can possess the above qualities, and at the same time be beautiful.
"Nativity is a parish with a rich tradition and great warmth. We honor this tradition, have our roots in it, and are determined to carry it on. But we also know that our challenge is to carry it on in a creative, imaginative and forward-looking way.

"In all this we look to the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. But we must cooperate with the Spirit, and so we stand ready to bear any burden, to make any sacrifice, to overcome any obstacle in our efforts to create a renewed Nativity. This means constructing a new church building, but it means much more than that, for the creation of a new building will foster and be part of the creation of a renewed people and parish.
"While we judge that a loan from the Archdiocese is essential to our plans, most of the financing must come through our own efforts. We want this Church to be ours, to stand as a witness to our faith, and to our labors as well as those of the past. We are a strong people, with a living tradition and a justifiable pride. The principal favor that we ask of our Bishop is that he grant us permission to begin and that he not underestimate the determination of our spirit, the extent of our dedication, and the generosity of our people. What we want is the opportunity to do something significant for ourselves, for our parish, for the greater glory of God. This entails an element of risk, but there is risk in any significant undertaking, especially one of faith."

Clear Goal

The goal was now clear, the decision had been made, there would be no turning back. What seemed an unlikely dream a month earlier had now to be turned into reality. The parish was one hundred per cent behind the plan, but we needed the permission of the Archdiocese of New York, a successful fundraising drive, and an architect who would work with enthusiasm within our limited budget. 

The first and most crucial step was to obtain a green light from the Archdiocese of New York. Copies of the proposal were sent to everyone who might enter into the decision making process; Bishop Cooke, Archbishop Maguire, the diocesan consultors, Monsignor Hunt, our Vicar(at the time), and Monsignor Costello, the head of the Archdiocesan Building Commission. A series of interviews and lengthy discussions followed between the pastor and the Archdiocesan consultors; between the pastor and Monsignor Costello and Monsignor Hunt, both of whom were most helpful from their first reading of the proposal until Dedication Day.

The proposal was well received, but the Archdiocese was too experienced to make a snap decision. The matter proceeded through the usual channels, and was finally decided after an hour long discussion between Father Pickett and Archbishop Maguire. The Archbishop did not easily become enthusiastic, and his approval was final proof that the proposal could pass the test of objective analysis and close questioning. His approval meant we could start our fundraising drive, and if successful, we could build our church. 

While the proposal was proceeding through channels, the Parish Council and the pastor were busy preparing for the fundraising drive. Thomas O'Brien associates, a fundraising concern, was contacted. Their calculations indicated that the likely receipts for a fundraising campaign would significantly fall below the sum needed to start ($150,000). They felt, however, that we had a good chance to make it on the basis of our spirit, desire, and the need for a new church. Mr. O'Brien met with the Parish Council and with the Council's approval and with the Council's approval his company was retained for the drive. Brochures were printed, volunteer workers were recruited, and a time schedule was set so that the drive began a few days after permission for it was obtained.

The Drive

The drive was launched on Sunday, May 14, 1967, the feast of Pentecost. It was an exciting and grueling drive. The key to success was the personal door to door visits of our campaign committee. Brochures were mailed to all of our parishioners who were later personally visited. The parishioners responded with great generosity to the appeal to help build the church and save the parish. A relatively small but highly dedicated group of volunteers climbed countless stairs to explain the campaign and to request pledges and donations. The volunteers were broken into teams and you could feel the intense interest as each team captain reported the results of his group at their weekly meetings. Many of the days were hot and it seemed that most of our parishioners lived close to the top floor. The results, however, were excellent and by the end of the campaign we were $10,000 over the $150,000 mark and we were knocking on the Chancery door seeking their approval to hire an architect.

Mr. Anthony Genovese, a young architect, had inspected Nativity Church before it was closed, and had been conferring with Father Pickett from the time the pastor had asked him to review the original proposal of the Parish Council. Monsignor Costello and Father Pickett were in agreement that Mr. Genovese was the best architect for the new Church of the Nativity, and he started to design the church in the Fall of 1967.

The drive for funds continued to go well and by February of 1968 a contract was prepared for the demolition of the old church. At this point, Bishop Cooke asked to see Father Pickett for a review of the situation, for as Bishop Cooke expressed it, permission to demolish is permission to build and the Archdiocese wants to make sure. Bishop Cooke had favored the proposal from the beginning and it was not difficult to show him that the drive was going well. The word was to proceed. Some months later there was great joy on Second Avenue when it was learned that Bishop Cooke had been chosen to be the new Archbishop of New York.

A Time of Mixed Emotions

The demolition of the church in the Spring of 1968 brought back many memories, and though it was a sign that we were moving forward , it was a sad moment. So many parishioners had been baptized in that church, could remember their First Holy Communion, walking down the aisle for their weddings; the funerals of their loved ones-all sacred moments in a well loved church.

By April, the design of the new church was completed and the project was sent out for bids. When the bids were opened in late May, they were found to be significantly higher than the budget allowed. This possibility had been foreseen, and a list of suggested modifications was given to Mr. Genovese. The necessary adjustments were made and an acceptable bid was submitted in late July by the Charles Herman Contracting Company. On August 27, 1968, the contract was signed in the Chancery Office by Father Pickett and Mr. Charles Herman.

On a clear Sunday afternoon in late September of 1968, almost two years to the day after the church was closed, ground was broken for a new church. A large crowd gathered on Second Avenue for the ceremony attended by three of our former pastors, Senator Jacob Javits, and Congressman Leonard Farbstein. Bishop Comber of Maryknoll blessed the ground and Father Pickett was joined by Senator Javits, Congressman Farbstein, Father George Barbera, S.J., and Brother Eugene Aste, S.J., in scooping out the first shovel of dirt.

In the interim period between the closing of the old church and the opening of the new, Mass was offered first in the former restaurant of Moskowitz and Lupowitz, through the kindness of the Brothers of the La Salle Academy who had purchased the property. Later Mass was offered in the former Court House, and finally in the club room of the rectory.

In addition to the outstanding work of the Parish Council and the Campaign Committee, two parish groups deserve special praise for their active and vital contribution to Nativity in this difficult period- the Mothers' Club and the Legion of Mary.

The Mothers' Club sponsored many fundraising and social activities, and the Legion of Mary directed its effort to sustaining the religious practice of our parishioners. A special word of thanks is also due to our elder parishioners for their outstanding loyalty, and the assistance of their prayers.
 
Financing: Socials and a Campaign

Churches are built for religious and social purposes, but they are also built with money, and the financing of the new Church of the Nativity is a testimony to realistic planning, generosity on the part of many, and a variety of fundraising socials that included stocking sales, a thrift shop, bus rides, dances, a 50/50 club, candy sales, card parties, and the sale of pasteles. The success of these socials was due to good leaders, much hard work, and the cooperation of many people. The parish is grateful to all who helped. 

The heart of financing the new church was the fundraising campaign which solicited gifts and pledges. Many churches have had larger campaign committees than ours; but only a very few could match the spirit and dedication of the men and women who did the leg work without which our campaign could never have succeeded. For good reason the committee members were known as "the tigers."

The parishioners of Nativity responded quickly and generously to the fundraising campaign, and they have good reason to be proud of their record of giving. At the same time outstanding assistance and special generosity was shown by a large number of former parishioners and friends of Nativity. We are deeply grateful and will never forget this crucial help given so unselfishly by those who have moved on to other parishes, but who responded to our need.

First Mass in New Church 

The church building made slow but steady progress through the Autumn of 1968 and the first part of 1969. There were the usual delays, but by mid November, 1969, the church was completed and ready for use. 

The first Mass in the new Church of the Nativity was concelebrated by our former pastors, and all of the priests of Nativity Parish. The main concelebrant was Father George Barbera, S.J., the assistant pastor who is the special link between the old and the new church. Father Pickett delivered the sermon.

The next day two additional "first" Masses were concelebrated- one in Spanish and the other in Italian. The principal concelebrant at the Mass in Spanish was Father Walter Janer, S.J., who had labored for so many years at Nativity and who gave a moving homily about "the Church that couldn't be built". The principal concelebrant at the Mass in Italian was Father George Barbera, who also was celebrating his fiftieth year as a member of the Society of Jesus.

Dedication Day

Great joy and deep gratitude to God, and to our many benefactors marked the opening of the church. Two weeks later His Eminence, Cardinal Terrence Cooke dedicated the new church and social hall and was the principal concelebrant at the Mass that followed. The other concelebrants were Father Robert A. Mitchell, S.J., the Provincial of the New York Province of the Society of Jesus, Father James J. Fischer, S.J., Provincial of the Pastoral and Social Province, Monsignor Leonard J. Hunt, Episcopal Vicar of Southern Manhattan, Monsignor Francis Costello, Director of the Building Commission of the Archdiocese of New York, Father William Pickett, S.J., and Father George Barbera, S.J. It was fitting that the date chosen for the dedication of the church was the First Sunday of Advent. Father Fischer delivered an excellent homily linking the beginning of the church year, to the dedication of the new Church of the Nativity and the dedication of the people of God who make up Nativity Parish.

After the Mass the Cardinal addressed the congregation, praising them for the wonderful way in which they had prayed and worked and sacrificed together to build a new church despite the numerous obstacles. He commented on the beauty of the church and signaled out for special praise the altar which, he pointed out, was a replica of the altar used by His Holy Father, Paul VI, at the Mass His Holiness offered at Yankee Stadium. Cardinal Cooke personally shook hands with and greeted everyone as they left the church. The Cardinal was one of the earliest and warmest supporters of our proposal to rebuild the church, and we are most grateful to him for his personal interest and encouragement.

The Church

The new church consists of two levels, the church proper and the social hall. The church seats 410 people, and is fortunate in having near-perfect acoustics, electric heat, and fine lighting. It has simple lines, a quiet beauty, and contrasting colors. The solid oak pews are stained a dark brown to contrast with the white stucco of the walls. The red rug of the sanctuary reflects its red color on the white altar and the ceiling. 
The interior of the church is modern and well suited to the liturgy of today. The Altar of Sacrifice stands in the center of the sanctuary. To its right, at a distance, is the Tabernacle of Reservation. The Tabernacle rests on a special pedestal away from the wall to make it more visible. To the left of the altar are the confessionals. Our baptismal font is located near the entrance to the church, not too far from the altar. A crucifix that also represents the resurrection of Christ hangs behind the altar on the north wall of the Church.

The symbolism is clear. From the death of Christ on the cross and from His resurrection flow life and grace through the Eucharist and the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance. The Eucharistic Sacrifice and Banquet is central; the action of Christ in the sacraments of Baptism and Penance leads us to His special action and presence in the Eucharist. In all these sacraments we share in the death and resurrection of Christ and receive new life.
The pulpit has been placed at the edge of the sanctuary, as close to the pews as possible. The view from the pews to the altar and the pulpit is unobstructed. The sacristy is located to the side and rear of the church to make it easy for the priest to enter from among the people and to greet them as they leave Mass.
The facade of the church blends tradition and modern design. Its most salient features are a deep brown brick, contrasting white stucco, and a concrete tower that houses the bell of our former church and from which hangs a large aluminum cross.

The social hall of the church is large with movable dividers in it. Painted in attractive and bright colors by our own parishioners, it has already shown its usefulness for catechetical instruction, dances, dinners, parish socials and meetings, and civic meetings. The kitchen, bathroom and storage facilities are adjacent to it.

The Church is modern in design and has been widely praised for its beauty and harmony with present day liturgy. The parish is justly proud of the Certificate of Merit awarded to the new church for its outstanding design. The award was won in a competition sponsored by the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects. At the same time it is understandable that those who have reservations about modern developments in church architecture, may have reservations about the design of the church.

Assistant Pastors

The history of Nativity as portrayed in these pages focuses on our pastors. While this is understandable, we must also pay special tribute to our assistant pastors who have contributed so much to the spirit and accomplishments of Nativity. Of the many names that come to mind we can only mention a few- Father Gabriel Zema, S.J., Father Edward Allen, S.J., Father Edward O'Byrne, S.J., and Father Francis X. O'Brien, S.J. However we do wish to single out two assistant pastors whose length of service and contribution to our parish were extraordinary- Father Michael Ilardi, S.J., and Father Anthony Russo-Alesi, S.J.

Father Ilardi first came to Nativity in 1937 and labored most zealously until 1965. The special work of Father Ilardi was with many Italian societies which flourished at Nativity. Father Ilardi was deeply dedicated to his work and to the people of the parish, and we shall always be grateful for his priestly labors and charity. 

Father Russo-Alesi came to Nativity in 1933 and did outstanding work here until 1958. Father Russo-Alesi was a fine preacher with a delightful sense of humor and with a great gift of making his point by telling an interesting story. Father Russo-Alesi had tremendous success in his work with Our Lady's Sodality and with the Boy Savior movement which he directs to this day(at the time of writing). Nativity will always be mindful of his dedication and unfailing zeal.

A special word of thanks is also due to Father John Replogle, S.J., who was assigned to Nativity for only a year, but who continues to offer Mass for us and with us. Father Replogle is an excellent preacher who has won the affection and esteem of the people of the parish for whom he has shown much affection by his completely voluntary and fine work in the parish.

Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart

The heart of any parish is its effort to provide religious instruction and formation for its members. This is the responsibility of the priests, religious and lay leaders of every parish. In its effort to provide this religious formation, Nativity Parish has been blessed for over 40 years by the unceasing dedication and efforts of our Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart. 

The Sisters instruct our children, as well as many adults, in the faith. They constantly visit the homes of the parish to keep our census up to date, to encourage people, and to give them an opportunity to discuss their religious situation with those in whom they can readily confide.

Nativity has known many Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart, and they have been outstanding for their skill in teaching, their concern and patience with the children, their love and service of all in the parish. The Church of today places great emphasis on going out to people, in placing religious in closer contact with families. Nativity is fortunate in having Sisters who have been doing just that ever since they came to Nativity Parish in 1927.

Brother Eugene Aste, S.J.

A week after Father Pickett was appointed Pastor of Nativity Parish, Brother Eugene Aste, S.J., came to Nativity to take the place of Brother Doyle, S.J., who had served Nativity so well. Brother Aste quickly became a key person in the effort to rebuild the church and strengthen the parish. He was appointed treasurer and buyer of the parish, and enabled it to improve and clarify its financial situation. Without this, permission could not have been obtained to build anew.

In addition to his responsibilities as treasurer, Brother Aste directed the altar boys, taught catechism, and assisted our Credit Union. His pleasant and cheerful personality has made him very popular with the parishioners, as well as with the members of the Jesuit community. He is clearly a fine religious, in whom people readily confide. His contribution to the rebuilding of the church, the administration of the parish, and to the Spirit of the Jesuit community has been extensive.

Father George Barbera, S.J.

Of all the Jesuit priests who have served the people of Nativity Parish, it is safe to say that no one has been more gentle,no one has been more concerned for all its people, no one more priestly and devoted to the Jesuit way of life than Father George Barbera, S.J. Father Barbera celebrated his Fiftieth Anniversary as a Jesuit by offering the first Mass in the new Church of the Nativity.This was most fitting since the rebuilding of the church was Father Barbera's concern, and without Father Barbera's prayers, advice, and refusal to give up, the new Church of the Nativity would never have been built.

Father Barbera has been deeply loved and greatly respected by all the priests, religious, and parishioners of Nativity, as Father Barbera has loved, respected, and assisted just about everyone who has been associated with Nativity Parish during the last thirty-three years. He helped in a special way the elderly whose native tongue was often Italian and the young engaged couples whose native tongue was often Spanish. There were Sundays when Father Barbera offered Mass and preached in English, Italian, and Spanish.

Father Barbera remains an inspiration to all of us. He was at once so human and so close to God. He was devoted to prayer, but also knew a great deal about finance. He was compassionate, and flexible, but also tenacious of purpose and strong in his opinions. He was generous, but also thrifty. He was very friendly, and concerned to help all, but also avoided public appearances, except those connected with the liturgy.

In so many ways Father Barbera was an ideal Jesuit - apostolic, unselfish, knowledgeable in human affairs, devoted to the service of his neighbor, united to God, a man of great faith, completely devoted to the priesthood and his religious life. May he rest in peace.

The Spirit

Building the new Church of the Nativity was a challenging and, at times, an awesome task for our parish. The most significant part of the undertaking, however, was not fundraising, choosing an architect, securing a loan, the work of the contractor, heated discussions, and difficult decisions. Any new building calls for that. The most important and special quality about rebuilding Nativity Church was the spirit of the undertaking.

Nativity Church was rebuilt because a group of people shared a deep faith and so much love for Christ and His Church that they were willing to work together, to pray together, and to sacrifice together to see to it that His special presence would continue in our neighborhood.

That we were able to rebuild the church came as a surprise to many. A spirit of loyalty, generosity, and hard work had been built up at Nativity over the years through the dedication of outstanding lay people, religious, and priests. In the hour of crisis this spirit among our parishioners, among the young and the old, among those of varying national backgrounds was put to the test and found strong enough to accomplish what seemed impossible.

Humanly speaking, it was impossible, but in our reliance on the Holy Spirit lies the beauty and significance of what was done. For the task could not have been accomplished without the special assistance of the Holy Spirit and without the love of God and our neighbor as a motivating force. And so our new church stands as a silent witness to the faith, love, and loyalty of many and to the presence of the Spirit among us.

We look to the past and thank God and all those who have helped build the church. We look to the future and we have great hope. For the same Holy Spirit will be with us in our effort to bring Christ to the people of our neighborhood, and in our effort to join with all those of good will to improve the quality of life where we live.

FINIS (Taken from the parish history book produced in 1971)

On account of changing demographics and the surplus number of churches south of 14^th street, in November 2014 the Archdiocese of New York announced that the Church of the Nativity was one of 31 of its parishes which would be merged with other parishes. The church celebrated its final Mass on 31^st July 2015. The church was closed on 1^st August 2015, and merged with nearby Most Holy Redeemer.

The church was deconsecrated in June 2017 and the building was sold in 2020, for $40 million to real-estate developer.

The sacramental records of the Church of the Nativity are kept at the parish office of Most Holy Redeemer - Nativity.