Shrine Church of St. Ann, Catholic church in Norwood, Bronx, New York.
Shrine Church of St. Ann is a Catholic church in Norwood, Bronx, New York, featuring Collegiate Gothic architectural style with Decorated Gothic and Tudor Gothic elements displayed in stone. The building shows characteristic features of these styles with detailed stonework and a distinctive facade.
The church was founded on December 25, 1927 by Rev. Martin Cavanaugh and initially held its first Mass in the cafeteria of Montefiore Home and Hospital. These modest beginnings led to the development of a permanent worship space as the parish grew.
The church is dedicated to Saint Ann, mother of the Virgin Mary, a figure deeply honored in Catholic tradition. Visitors can participate in annual novena Masses that lead up to the feast day, which remains central to the parish's spiritual life.
The parish underwent changes when it merged with St. Brendan Parish in 2015 as part of diocesan restructuring, affecting how services are organized. Visitors should check current schedules as the parish now operates under a shared structure.
During the Great Depression, the school gymnasium became the actual worship space for the community due to financial constraints. This creative use of a school facility demonstrates how the parish adapted its resources during hardship.
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