The 1923 Holy Name House - 214 West 97th Street

 

photo by Wurts Bros, from the collection of the Museum of the City of New York

In August 1868, the first service was held in the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus.  The wooden building sat at what would become the northwest corner of Broadway and 96th Street.  At the time, the district was, according to The Catholic Church in the United States of America in 1914, "a region of vacant lots, with here and there a suburban cottage, while the majority of the inhabitants were squatters who supported themselves by tilling small pieces of ground around their huts."

Notwithstanding its humble beginnings, the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus thrived, and by the end of World War I engulfed the Broadway blockfront from 96th to 97th Street with an impressive stone church and a substantial school building.  In April 1923, Architecture and Building called the Church of the Holy Name "one of the largest parishes in New York City."

Two years before that article, the Holy Name Roman Catholic Church Society had hired architect Raphael Hume to design a recreational building at 214 West 97th Street, adjoining the school.  Hume's career included several structures for the Roman Catholic Church, including the Church of St. John and St. Mary in Chappaqua, New York; and the Church of the Holy Trinity in Hackensack, New Jersey.  Pope Pius XII would make him a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory in 1948. 

The Holy Name House was completed in 1923.  Hume took inspiration from Sicilian Romanesque structures, facing it in variegated red and gray Flemish bond brick.  The doorway, recessed within a large arch supported by clustered columns with Medieval capitals, was surmounted by an intricate tympanum.  Along with a large eagle, it was carved with scenes of boys playing tug-of-war and other activities.  Three double-height arches dominated the third and fourth floors, and the projecting tiled roof was supported by a row of complex brackets.

Architecture and Building called it, "a new venture, the success of which will lead many others in its wake."  The article explained, 

Heretofore the Church, the first consideration in the parish life, has been supplemented by its parish school building.  Now as a further center of parish activity to provide for the entertainment and physical welfare of all of its members there is added to the church group a recreational building which offers to old and young all that the name implies.

The Auditorium.  Architecture and Building, April 1923.

On the ground floor was an auditorium capable of seating 300 people to be used for lectures and meetings, as well as dances and fairs.  Architecture and Building said, "In the second story is the fully equipped gymnasium occupying a space 35 by 90 feet.  The roof provides a children's playground of the same size."  In the basement was a swimming pool, "with shower baths and locker rooms."  The article noted, "There is a water purifying system for the pool."

Alternating patterns of brickwork fills the spaces between the cornice brackets (which also alternate in design). 

While many church-run clubs focused on the boys of the neighborhood, the Holy Name House was equally welcoming to girls.  On July 1, 1925, the Daily News reported on the upcoming Women's Open Swimming and Diving Meets to be held at the Starling Amusement Park.  The article mentioned, "Up at Holy Name House, 214 West 97th st., Miss Christine Murray is looking to the laurels of her girls.  The Holy Name girls are not going to be caught napping.  Margaret Donovan and Mary Frisby are two of her bright youngsters who have their eyes on the prize."

The gymnasium (top) and swimming pool.  Architecture and Building, April 1923

The auditorium was sometimes the scene of neighborhood dances.  On September 23, 1930, The New York Sun reported that The Commerce Catholic Clubs and the Newman Clubs of several schools would be holding monthly dances, the first of which would take place here.  "Music will be furnished by the C0-Ed Jazz Pirates, an organization composed of former Commerce-Julia Richman students."

Mayor John P. O'Brien was here on January 8, 1933 to officially start the Holy Name Club's annual "novice road run."  Individuals and groups came from as far as Long Island vying for six silver cups and medals awarded to the leading individuals, and a trophy and five medals for teams.

In April 1960, the auditorium was the scene of the Veterans' Sports Night hosted by the Father Duffy Post D.S.C. No. 54 of the Catholic War Veterans.  The Irish American Advocate anticipated it would be "the biggest and greatest night of them all," saying, "The place will be jammed with world champions in the various fields of sport."

Starting in 1978, the American Folk Theater used space for its productions.  On April 8, 1981, The New York Times reported, "The American Folk Theater is in its third year as an Off Off Broadway company that is multiethnic and devoted to presenting theater by American talent, onstage and backstage."

Starting in 1990, the parish was under the administration of the Franciscans.  The Holy Name House was renamed the Franciscan Community Center.  Among the services provided are "the Sandwich Line," which in 2024 served 450 lunches a week to the needy.

photographs by the author

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