#10 The Church of St. Vincent Ferrer (869 Lexington Ave @65th) April 5, 2015

This church is unbelievable. Seriously. I can't get over the inside of this church. I can't even begin to tell you. This church has so much going on that when mass started, I couldn't find the lector. It took me a good 45 seconds to find out where the actual person was -- I could hear the voice but couldn't find the face. And when I finally did, it  the lectern was this huge, ornately wooden carved work of art that looked like something out of a Harry Potter movie. All's you could see was the woman's face sitting at the top of the podium, you couldn't see her neck or any other part of her. It looked like a magical talking podium. I so wish it wasn't disrespectful to take pictures in mass....I am not doing this sight justice at all. You might have to go visit.

The church is almost all stained glasses windows and the altar has been brought up closer to the pews. However, there is half a football field behind the altar to the tabernacle. I thought the assisting priest was going to have to take a water break halfway there. I am going to have to go back and take more pictures...I attended the 530 pm mass and then tried to wait for everyone to leave before I started playing Ansel Adams. But they turn off the lights, so you really couldn't see anything.

One thing that was fascinating about this mass was the dating rituals that was happening with the elderly set.  There were three very dapper men who have already celebrated their 80th (and probably 85th) birthdays. And about seven very chic woman of a very certain age, all exquisitely dressed in their Chanel suits...and let me tell you, both groups were highly aware of the other group.

My sister-in-law went to this high school -- and her parents met in the church basement - so I definitely have some built in fondness for this place.

After Mass treat -- a giant martini!  2nd Ave at 78th Street.

Photo credit -- Hi Life website because after one of their martinis, your pictures aren't fit for public viewing.

I'm bbaaaaaaacccccckkkkkk!!! #9 St. Stephen of Hungary (82nd and 1st Ave) March 29, 2015

Stop whining..it hasn't even been four years yet. Geeze Louise...you are so demanding!

Honestly, I am shocked my last post was in 2011 -- it seems like maybe a only year has passed. But regardless, it is really time to gear up this project...especially since nine parishes are being closed this summer. I kept telling people I am visiting all 98 Catholic Churches in Manhattan, so I need to stick to that before the list starts dwindling.

This morning I visited St. Stephen of Hungary's for Palm Sunday Mass. I just noticed it the other day while heading to Patsy's on 117th -- there is also a St. Elizabeth of Hungary just two block away. Unfortunately, both are scheduled to close this year (well, the official term is "merge" but just like "laid off" basically means fired....merged in this instance means closed). St. Stephen's has a K-8 school that looks adorable -- I was looking in all the windows before I realized it was creepy (especially as my child is basically a "grown man"....the words are his, the quotes are mine because he is not "quite" grown, in my humble (and correct) opinion).



Okay -- back to the church...the outside is old school NYC Catholic Church -- bonus points for the GIRLS and BOYS separate entrances.  But inside, I was surprised. It was beautiful, but on the more modern side -- clean with non fussy architecture. It felt very calming and I wish I wasn't so lazy because I am curious if the interior is original -- or if it was updated at some point after it opened in 1902.

 

The church wasn't crowded but wasn't empty either. I was happy to see little kids at the Mass -- I didn't realize until this morning that you don't see little kids at Mass that often (or at least the masses I have been going to -- but both churches that I have been attending most often have older populations, so it makes sense). It seemed like a good community -- people seemed to know each other and were chatting after Mass.

Afterwards, I stopped at Annelise's on 1st avenue -- coffee and rugelach. Every Catholic Mass should end with Jewish pastries. It was delicious and I appreciated the rack of magazines to read while you drank your coffee. I promise it won't be as long for the next post...but that bar was set pretty low! 
NOTE: I am an idiot. I was just reading some of my back posts after I published this and I already used Annelise's coffee shop when I visited St. Monica's almost 4 years ago! And I even commented on the magazines. I am pathetic...and need to get out more.