In August 1999 I
returned to New York to collect a copy of my college transcripts. I combined this
trip with a visit to some historic Hibernian sites in NYC. I did field work on
the Lower East Side from 1984 until 1989. I remember seeing St. James Church during
this time. My memory did not serve me well as I traipsed around lower Manhattan
searching where I thought I remembered the location of the church to be. Finally
found it.
St. James Church is where it all began for the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) in America. The first American Division of the AOH was organized here in May 1836 by authority of a charter sent from Ireland by the Board of Erin. Present day urban planning finds the The Church tucked away off the beaten path in a quiet corner behind the municipal civic center, on the edge of present day Chinatown. Nearby is Chinatown's Chatham Square, known in the 19th century as the infamously crowded Irish immigrant slum of Five Points. Also nearby is South St. the heart of the bustling 19th century NYC port. Former NY Governor and Presidential candidate Al Smith was a parishioner at St. James.
The historic Greek Revival style church was scheduled to be razed in 1986. The vast number of Catholic 19th century immigrants supported many parishes within walking distance of St. James. Over the years the congregations of some of these parishes have dwindled. A citizens group headed by Hibernians saved St. James from the wreckers ball.
On May 4, 1986 in conjunction with the saving of the church
and the 150th anniversary of the AOH in America, a Gaelic Mass was celebrated
and a street fair followed. The special event of the day was the renaming of the
one block long James St. to Ancient Order of Hibernians Place.
St James' Rectory is located around the block at 23 Oliver St. This block is a surviving example of Lower East Side row homes and tenements.
Old St. Patrick's Cathedral
A walk up the Bowery from St. James to present day Little Italy finds us at the original St. Patrick's Cathedral. Founded by the Irish community in a growing city, the cornerstone was laid in 1809 and the Cathedral was dedicated in 1815, the first Roman Catholic Cathedral in America named in honor of Ireland's patron saint.
As early as 1835 Bishop "Dagger John" Hughes organized parishioners to defend the Cathedral from Know Nothing anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant violence. Bishop Hughes armed the newly founded AOH and positioned then on the walls surrounding the Cathedral. Hibernian Hall was located across the street from the Cathedral, and the AOH continued to defend the church and the clergy during times of turbulence and peace.
This old building served as the Bishop's residence until May 1879 when the present day St. Patrick's Cathedral uptown at 5th Ave. and 50th St. was dedicated. Old St. Patrick' then became a parish church and today serves a diverse congregation. The Church still celebrates a Mass with an Irish accent on Sunday evenings.
