St. Leo's Church

St. Leo's Church was a Roman Catholic church located on East 28th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues in Manhattan. The building displayed rough-cut brownstone walls and featured a prominent eastern tower that rose approximately 105 feet tall.

The church was founded in 1880 by Reverend Thomas J. Ducey and named after the patron saint of Pope Leo XIII. Following Ducey's death in 1909, the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix took over the building and converted it for use as a convent and retreat house.

The church played an important role in serving the poor and transient populations of Manhattan by offering funeral services to anyone who needed them, regardless of their religious background. This made it a refuge for those with no family or community ties in the city.

The location in the heart of Manhattan means the area is densely populated and parking is difficult to find during most hours. Public transportation or walking from nearby subway stations is the most practical way to reach the site.

During the cornerstone ceremony in 1880, coins, religious images, and newspapers were buried within the foundation as a time capsule. These items provide a tangible record of what was important to the community on that specific day in the past.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1881

Architects: Lawrence J. O'Connor

GPS coordinates: 40.74444,-73.98619

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:42