Emilio GuerraIn 1917, Gustave Steinbeck finished this church in the delightful French Gothic Revival style. Perhaps, outside of the architectural touches that somehow don’t make it at severe-looking as you’d think, what makes Blessed Sacrament appealing is its homely old-school appearance.
Sure, the confessionals seem as if they belong to another much more strict century. And yet, the curtains bring some festivity to this very Catholic sacrament. But the hanging crucifix makes the church appreciate the proximity of its walls.
Not the first one here
As with most Manhattan churches, the parish was established in the 19th century, and the current building predates the original one. The first time the parish congregated was in a stable on 72nd Street owned by the Havenneyer family.
Outside, representations of St. John Baptist de la Salle, St. John Vianney, St. Francis de Sales, St. Philip Neri, St. Alphonsus Liquori, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Charles Borromeo; and St. Vincent de Paul greet the visitor and passerby. In the buttresses are St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure. A tour de force of the book of saints, choosing those who were really keen on the sacraments.
