This church looks like it belongs in New Mexico, not New York City. Located a few doors down from the madness of Eighth Avenue, it has no sign, date, or name anywhere on the building. It’s a mystery: Why a Santa Fe–like structure in Hell’s Kitchen?
It seems to be now part of the Catholic church next door, St. Benedict the Moor. St. Benedict’s has an interesting history: Originally founded in 1883 on Bleecker Street, it was the first black Catholic church north of the Mason-Dixon line. The church relocated to 53rd Street in 1898.
Tags: African-American Catholics, churches in New York City, St. Benedict the Moor
