User:Hammerdrill/Holy Cross

Holy Cross Church (Roman Catholic); Reverend Peter Colapietro, Pastor; 329 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. This address is located in Midtown Manhattan, 1 1/2 blocks from Times Square, known as Longacre Square when the church was founded, and directly across 42nd Street from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The church is notable as the oldest building on 42nd Street.

In 1852 the Holy Cross Parish was established and a chapel erected. The church outgrew this edifice, and in 1854 a new building was constructed and dedicated. Lightning struck this second building in 1867, and the ensuing fire severely damaged it. The current church was constructed on the site of the damaged building and completed in 1870.

By design the Holy Cross Church building is cruciform in the transitional Byzantine style, running 100 feet from front to back and 82 feet from side to side, where the configuration completes the suggestion of a cross. A dome rises above the intersection of nave and transept, reaching 148 feet from curb level to the top of the cross on the dome.

Mass is celebrated in both English and Spanish services. Holy Cross Church operates a food kitchen called Crossroads Food Pantry, serving the hungry. It also conducts an evangelical program named LAMP Missionary for the assistance of local residents and passers-by who wish to receive religious counseling.

The church houses an Aeolian-Skinner organ, which is located in the rear gallery in the choir loft. Installed in 1933 and completed in 1941 with the addition of a set of chimes, it replaced an earlier 1882 organ built by J.H. & C.S. Odell.

Holy Cross Church is associated with the popular ministry of the Reverend Francis P. Duffy. Father Duffy served as Chaplain of the "Fighting Irish" 69th New York Regiment during World War I and was highly decorated for his activities. After the war he was appointed Rector of Holy Cross Church in 1921. Later elevated to Pastor, Father Duffy served the church until his death in 1932. That year he instituted the Printers' Mass at 2:30 A.M. on Sunday for workers at the New York Times, Herald Tribune, Daily News and Daily Mirror whose shifts required late hours. He is commemorated by a bronze statue standing in front of a Celtic cross which is located in Times Square.