Bronx Catholic

On the afternoon of September 4, 2010, I entered St. Roch's church and chanced upon the celebration of a Mass on what appeared to be a Quinceanera. A mariachi group played and sang the liturgical music, such as the Sanctus and offertory and communion hymns. Clicking on any photo will enlarge it.

See page 231 for the foundation of St Roch parish in 1899 by Father John Milo. The church is on the west side of Wales Avenue north of East 147th Street.
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The above 2010 sign is invalid as of August 1, 2015. Mass will not be celebrated here on a regular basis.

To the left of the church is this shrine of Nuestra Madre de Guadalupe and her appearance to San Juan Diego in 1531.


To the left of the church is this Lourdes Grotto.


In Msgr. Shelley's book, see pages 216 and 219 for the 1891 foundation of St Anselm parish, by Benedictines from Collegeville, Minnesota. The present church was built in 1917. See page 606 for the parish becoming a Hispanic parish.
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On 12.9.2013, the New York Times printed an excellent article, "Bringing Back the Artistic Beauty of a 19th-Century Church," by David Gonzalez. I have linked the article here, but over time, it may receive a different URL in the archives of nytimes.com. The church suffers from deterioration and some previous inconsiderate attempts at repairs. The article describes the work of pastor, conservator, and parishioners. When I visited the church, it was obviously of Byzantine inspiration, but I had not realized that its domes imitate Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The article explains details.
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The A.I.A. Guide says the church was designed by Anton Kloster. I cannot determine whether he was from Collegeville, Europe, or New York. I received the following comment from Dan in January, 2011:
"Something odd is happening here. I have also seen St. Anselm's attributed to Anton Kloster, about whom I can find nothing. However another architect, Gustave E. Steinback has indicated in documents to the AIA that his firm did St. Anselm. There is also a comment in the Liturgical Arts Society from 1953 by the editor who had worked for Steinback at the time that also attributes the work to Steinback. I wonder if Mr. Kloster might have worked for Mr. Steinback?" Many thanks for the comment.
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Any photo may be enlarged by clicking on it.



The school is located at 685 Tinton Avenue, Bronx NY 10455, telephone 718-993-9464. The school's website is linked here. The newer building to the right is part of the school.
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Better photos of the church and school are on this Bronx Photo site.
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