Mission of the Immaculate Virgin at Mount Loretto, Staten Island

The former Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne was built in 1914 and had a run-in with fame and another one with fire. In 1972, this impressive church was featured in the key scene of The Godfather,during the baptism. The church was used for the exterior, while Old St. Patrick’s was used for the interior. Ironically, only the façade was left after the devastating fire that swept the church in 1974.

The impressive façade (and the new church built around it) are visible from Hylan Boulevard and from the Mount Loretto protected area across the street. It grounds the mission, which at one point was the largest orphanage in New York state, founded by Christopher Drumgoole. The spire is 61 feet high.

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