St. Nicholas Kirche, German Catholic church in Alphabet City, Manhattan, US
St. Nicholas Kirche was a Gothic Revival church located on Second Street in Manhattan, featuring pointed arch windows and distinctive stone ornamentation throughout its facade. The complex included a rectory at 135 East Second Street and a schoolhouse constructed in 1867 to serve the parish community.
The church was founded in 1833 by Father Johann Stephen Raffeiner as the first German-language Catholic parish in New York City. It served as a spiritual center for German immigrants throughout the 19th century and beyond.
The parish served the German-speaking community through various societies and organizations that brought people together for mutual support and spiritual life. These groups helped newcomers maintain their traditions and find belonging in a foreign city.
The location in Alphabet City is easily accessible by public transportation and situated within a walkable residential neighborhood. Visitors should note that the church is part of a historic district with several other period buildings nearby.
A pipe organ built by Engelfried & Hadden in 1881 was installed in the church with two manuals and mechanical action, representing fine German craftsmanship. This instrument remained in place until the church eventually closed.
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