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Saint Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church

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The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Side Altar and Ceiling
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The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Side Altar and Ceiling

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  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola <br><br> The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola is a beautiful basilica-style church on 86th and Park Avenue in New York City. The church was founded as the Church of Saint Lawrence O-Toole in 1851. The first building was built in 1854 on East 84th Street. In 1866, the administration passed to the Society of Jesus. The church’s present foundation was built in 1884-1886. At that time a Gothic design was planned but later changed an Italian Renaissance-style basilica as designed by architects Schickel and Ditmars. Construction on the current church started in 1895 and was completed in 1900. The church was dedicated in December 1898. <br><br> Jacqueline Kennedy was baptized at the church in 1929, and was confirmed there as a teenager. Her funeral was held at the church in May 1994. Singer Aalivah, who died in a plane crash, had her funeral at the church in 2001. <br><br> The 86th street block is the site of a complex that includes Wallace Hall, which is the parish beneath the church, the rectory, the grade school of Saint Ignatius’s School, and the high school of Loyola School. In addition, another Jesuit high school Regis High School is nearby. <br><br> I obtained information on the church from <a href="http://www.stignatiusloyola.org/index.php/about_us/church_history_tour"> the Saint ignaius Loyola website</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St._Ignatius_Loyola_%28New_York_City%29 ">Wikipedia.</a>
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola <br><br> From the <a href="http://www.stignatiusloyola.org/index.php/about_us/church_history_tour ">the Saint Ignatius Loyola website: </a> <br><br> “Most likely the first image one encounters upon entering the church is that of the crucified Christ in the sanctuary apse’s semi-dome located directly above the Pavonazzo marble and gilt-bronze main alter. The painting’s tessellated appearance is meant to simulate the look of mosaic, the medium in which almost all other images in the church are rendered. Sprouting from the foot of the cross is the expansive scroll of a colorful flowering vine painted against a gold leaf background – a vivid and beautiful image reminding the faithful that they are the branches whose life flows from the vinestock who is Christ the Savior. This foliate image is also found in the semi-domes above the Sacred Heart and Blessed Mother altars, similarly done in Pavonazzo marble, and serves in the unification of the entire chancel area that stretches from the seventy-eight foot width of the church. This visual unification of complimented by a theological one: the Sacred Heart, surrounded by the visionary St. Mary Margaret Alacoque and her Jesuit spiritual director, Saint Claude de la Colombiere, as well as the Blessed Mother, surrounded by the Archangel Gabriel of the Annunciation and the Prophet Isaiah, who foretold the virgin birth, bespeak God’s salvfic love which found its supreme expression in Christ’s self-sacrifice upon the cross. <br><br> Rising directly above the central semi-dome is the great sanctuary arch where one finds, located in an aureole, the glorified Christ seated in judgment surrounded by the Blessed Mother, here crowned Queen of Heaven, and St. Michael the Archangel who, as the defender against all powers of darkness, is pictured wielding a fiery sword. On either side of this central group are located Sts. Peter and Paul, and Moses and Elias; these figures represent the New Law and the Old Law which were conjoined in the person of Christ. Enhancing the church’s interior dynamism are the rich and diverse colors and textures of the European and African marbles with which the walls are revetted. The wainscoting and pilasters throughout the church are covered in red-veined Numidian marble. The majority of the wall panels are Yellow Sienna, though some panels are the black-flecked Sienna brecciata. The door frames and frames for the Stations of the Cross are done in light grey Convent Sienna marble. Throughout the church, but especially notable in the sanctuary, these marbles are outlined and separated from one another by inserts of varying shades of red Jasper. Most of the marble work in the church was done by Betterson and Eisele of New York."
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola <br><br> From the <a href="http://www.stignatiusloyola.org/index.php/about_us/church_history_tour ">the Saint Ignatius Loyola website: </a> <br><br> “Most likely the first image one encounters upon entering the church is that of the crucified Christ in the sanctuary apse’s semi-dome located directly above the Pavonazzo marble and gilt-bronze main alter. The painting’s tessellated appearance is meant to simulate the look of mosaic, the medium in which almost all other images in the church are rendered. Sprouting from the foot of the cross is the expansive scroll of a colorful flowering vine painted against a gold leaf background – a vivid and beautiful image reminding the faithful that they are the branches whose life flows from the vinestock who is Christ the Savior. This foliate image is also found in the semi-domes above the Sacred Heart and Blessed Mother altars, similarly done in Pavonazzo marble, and serves in the unification of the entire chancel area that stretches from the seventy-eight foot width of the church. This visual unification of complimented by a theological one: the Sacred Heart, surrounded by the visionary St. Mary Margaret Alacoque and her Jesuit spiritual director, Saint Claude de la Colombiere, as well as the Blessed Mother, surrounded by the Archangel Gabriel of the Annunciation and the Prophet Isaiah, who foretold the virgin birth, bespeak God’s salvfic love which found its supreme expression in Christ’s self-sacrifice upon the cross.”
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Mander Organ <br><br> The organ at Saint Ignatius Loyola is from N.P. Mander of London and is New York City’s largest mechanical action (tracker) pipe organ and is the largest mechanical action pipe organ ever to have been built in the British Isles according to <a href="http://www.stignatiusloyola.org/index.php/about_us/church_history_tour ">the church website. </a> The organ contains over 5,000 pipes and weighs approximately 30 tons (67,000 pounds). From the <a href="http://www.mander-organs.com/leader.html">Mander website:</a> <br><br> “The 68-stop four manual and pedal organ in the Church of St Ignatius Loyola, New York is the largest mechanical action ever to have been built by a British builder. It stands some 44 feet tall on the west gallery of this fine Manhattan church and took almost two years to build and install. This instrument embodies all the principles of excellence which are the hallmark of a Mander Organ. Based on the French Romantic organ of the mid nineteenth century, it has proved to have exceptional versatility. The case is an original design and is built of French oak from trees planted about the time of the Revolution. The sensitive suspended key action which employs purely mechanical couplers has delighted many organists. <br><br> After playing a concert, André Isoir wrote <br><br> I have played with the greatest pleasure the Mander of St Ignatius. Perfection in the building, incredible action, and above all, distinction in the voicing: this instrument is for me the most perfect medium. <br><br> High praise indeed from one who has played and recorded on numerous organs in the course of his long and distinguished career. This achievement has established Mander firmly at the forefront of organ building at the turn of the Millennium. <br><br> A masterpiece! An inspiration for the organist. The words of Prof. Ernst-Erich Stender, organist at Buxtehude's church, the Marienkirche in Lübeck <br><br> Very soon after its completion, this organ became widely acclaimed by organists from all over the world. The international recitalist Simon Preston wrote, It is difficult to do justice to this famous instrument in a couple of sentences; suffice to say that to look at this beautiful instrument is to know the sound that will come out of it. <br><br> David Briggs of Gloucester Cathedral wrote, A great treat to play this noble and versatile instrument. It has a refreshingly strong character-both visually and aurally.”
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Mander Organ <br><br> The organ at Saint Ignatius Loyola is from N.P. Mander of London and is New York City’s largest mechanical action (tracker) pipe organ and is the largest mechanical action pipe organ ever to have been built in the British Isles according to <a href="http://www.stignatiusloyola.org/index.php/about_us/church_history_tour ">the church website. </a> The organ contains over 5,000 pipes and weighs approximately 30 tons (67,000 pounds). <br><br> From the <a href="http://www.mander-organs.com/leader.html">Mander website:</a> <br><br> “The 68-stop four manual and pedal organ in the Church of St Ignatius Loyola, New York is the largest mechanical action ever to have been built by a British builder. It stands some 44 feet tall on the west gallery of this fine Manhattan church and took almost two years to build and install. This instrument embodies all the principles of excellence which are the hallmark of a Mander Organ. Based on the French Romantic organ of the mid nineteenth century, it has proved to have exceptional versatility. The case is an original design and is built of French oak from trees planted about the time of the Revolution. The sensitive suspended key action which employs purely mechanical couplers has delighted many organists. <br><br> After playing a concert, André Isoir wrote <br><br> I have played with the greatest pleasure the Mander of St Ignatius. Perfection in the building, incredible action, and above all, distinction in the voicing: this instrument is for me the most perfect medium. <br><br> High praise indeed from one who has played and recorded on numerous organs in the course of his long and distinguished career. This achievement has established Mander firmly at the forefront of organ building at the turn of the Millennium. <br><br> A masterpiece! An inspiration for the organist. The words of Prof. Ernst-Erich Stender, organist at Buxtehude's church, the Marienkirche in Lübeck <br><br> Very soon after its completion, this organ became widely acclaimed by organists from all over the world. The international recitalist Simon Preston wrote, It is difficult to do justice to this famous instrument in a couple of sentences; suffice to say that to look at this beautiful instrument is to know the sound that will come out of it. <br><br> David Briggs of Gloucester Cathedral wrote, A great treat to play this noble and versatile instrument. It has a refreshingly strong character-both visually and aurally.”
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Side Altar and Ceiling
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Bapistery <br><br> At the left hand side of the church facing the altar is the baptistery (from Wikipedia: "In Christian architecture the baptistry or baptistery is the separate centrally-planned structure surrounding the baptismal font. The baptistry may be incorporated within the body of a church or cathedral and be provided with an altar as a chapel.") composed of a half-drum surmounted by a semi-dome. This was the first part of the church’s interior to be decorated and clearly no expense was spared in the creation of what is undoubtedly the most precious unit in the church according to <a href="http://www.stignatiusloyola.org/index.php/about_us/church_history_tour "> the Saint Ignatius Loyola website. </a> <br><br> “Because the baptistry is also the Chapel of John the Baptist, its ornamentation illustrates the saint’s ministry, his prophecies about Jesus, and Jesus’ pronouncements about John. For example, the three mosaics decorating the walls depict important moments in the Baptist’s earthly life: his sanctification at the time of the Visitation; the culmination of his ministry in baptizing Jesus in the River Jordan; and his martyrdom. These murals were also designed by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. The Venetian glass tesserae (one of the small squares of stone or glass used in making mosaic patterns) were cut and laid out by Salviati & Company of Venise. The expertise of the Gorham Company was called upon again to install this new mosaic program; the company also designed and executed the lectern with its inlaid brass images of the Lion of Juda and the Sacrificial Lamb.” <br><br> Caryl Colement of the Ecclesiastical Department of the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company was designed and executed the baptistry’s altar. Like the curved walls surrounding it, is of Pavonazzo marble and is inlaid with mosaics. <br><br> Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company created the baptistry’s semi-dome. “Composed of irregularly faceted glass slags referred to as “jewel” glass in the Tiffany lexicon, the dome suffuses this special precinct of the church with brilliant and sparkling light. At the apex of the design is a dove representing the Holy Spirit; rising from the waters of the font under this image symbolizes God’s claiming the newly baptized as his beloved child in the same way that Jesus was publicly claimed by God as His beloved Son on whom His favor rests (Mt. 3:17).”
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Bapistery <br><br> At the left hand side of the church facing the altar is the baptistery (from WIkipedia: "In Christian architecture the baptistry or baptistery is the separate centrally-planned structure surrounding the baptismal font. The baptistry may be incorporated within the body of a church or cathedral and be provided with an altar as a chapel.") composed of a half-drum surmounted by a semi-dome. This was the first part of the church’s interior to be decorated and clearly no expense was spared in the creation of what is undoubtedly the most precious unit in the church according to <a href="http://www.stignatiusloyola.org/index.php/about_us/church_history_tour "> the Saint Ignatius Loyola website. </a> <br><br> “Because the baptistry is also the Chapel of John the Baptist, its ornamentation illustrates the saint’s ministry, his prophecies about Jesus, and Jesus’ pronouncements about John. For example, the three mosaics decorating the walls depict important moments in the Baptist’s earthly life: his sanctification at the time of the Visitation; the culmination of his ministry in baptizing Jesus in the River Jordan; and his martyrdom. These murals were also designed by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. The Venetian glass tesserae (one of the small squares of stone or glass used in making mosaic patterns) were cut and laid out by Salviati & Company of Venise. The expertise of the Gorham Company was called upon again to install this new mosaic program; the company also designed and executed the lectern with its inlaid brass images of the Lion of Juda and the Sacrificial Lamb.” <br><br> Caryl Colement of the Ecclesiastical Department of the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company was designed and executed the baptistry’s altar. Like the curved walls surrounding it, is of Pavonazzo marble and is inlaid with mosaics. <br><br> Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company created the baptistry’s semi-dome. “Composed of irregularly faceted glass slags referred to as “jewel” glass in the Tiffany lexicon, the dome suffuses this special precinct of the church with brilliant and sparkling light. At the apex of the design is a dove representing the Holy Spirit; rising from the waters of the font under this image symbolizes God’s claiming the newly baptized as his beloved child in the same way that Jesus was publicly claimed by God as His beloved Son on whom His favor rests (Mt. 3:17).”
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Bapistery <br><br> At the left hand side of the church facing the altar is the baptistery (from Wikipedia: "In Christian architecture the baptistry or baptistery is the separate centrally-planned structure surrounding the baptismal font.") composed of a half-drum surmounted by a semi-dome. This was the first part of the church’s interior to be decorated and clearly no expense was spared in the creation of what is undoubtedly the most precious unit in the church according to <a href="http://www.stignatiusloyola.org/index.php/about_us/church_history_tour "> the Saint Ignatius Loyola website. </a> <br><br> Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company created the baptistry’s semi-dome. “Composed of irregularly faceted glass slags referred to as “jewel” glass in the Tiffany lexicon, the dome suffuses this special precinct of the church with brilliant and sparkling light. At the apex of the design is a dove representing the Holy Spirit; rising from the waters of the font under this image symbolizes God’s claiming the newly baptized as his beloved child in the same way that Jesus was publicly claimed by God as His beloved Son on whom His favor rests (Mt. 3:17).”
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola <br><br> From the <a href="http://www.stignatiusloyola.org/index.php/about_us/church_history_tour ">the Saint Ignatius Loyola website: </a> <br><br> "Rising directly above the central semi-dome is the great sanctuary arch where one finds, located in an aureole, the glorified Christ seated in judgment surrounded by the Blessed Mother, here crowned Queen of Heaven, and St. Michael the Archangel who, as the defender against all powers of darkness, is pictured wielding a fiery sword. On either side of this central group are located Sts. Peter and Paul, and Moses and Elias; these figures represent the New Law and the Old Law which were conjoined in the person of Christ.”
  • The Church of Ignatius Loyola Ceiling
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Mosaics<br /> <br /> Much of the wall space at the church is comprised of beautiful marble mosaics. Professor Paoletti for Salviati & Company of Venice designed the murals. The company was pleased with the works, which were publicly exhibited in Turin before arriving at the church.
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Mosaics<br /> <br /> Much of the wall space at the church is comprised of beautiful marble mosaics. Professor Paoletti for Salviati & Company of Venice designed the murals. The company was pleased with the works, which were publicly exhibited in Turin before arriving at the church.
  • The Church of Ignatius Loyola Stained Glass Window<br /> <br /> This window depicts Saint Ignatius Loyola at a cave in the town of Manresa, Spain where he composed his famous Spiritual Exercises. The window pictures Ignatius, having now cast away the three instruments of his distracting bodily penance, kneeling before a crucifix and looking up at the Blessed Mother, who inspires his writing.<br /> <br /> The artist that created the work is not known.<br /> <br /> Thanks to Father George Witt for information on the stained glass windows.
  • The Church of Ignatius Loyola Stained Glass Window<br /> <br /> This window shows, in its upper Order, Ignatius and other Jesuit saints gathered around their Lord, whose name they bear (Jesuits represent the Society of Jesus). The lower Order depicts all of the Society's Blesseds and Martyrs, bearing palm branches denoting their sufferings and victories.<br /> <br /> The artist that created the work is not known.<br /> <br /> Thanks to Father George Witt for the information on the stained glass windows.<br /> <br /> I like how this photo shows the wonderful marble patterns surrounding the window. From the church website: "Enhancing the church’s interior dynamism are the rich and diverse colors and textures of the European and African marbles with which the walls are revetted. The wainscoting and pilasters throughout the church are covered in red-veined Numidian marble. The majority of the wall panels are Yellow Sienna, though some panels are the black-flecked Sienna brecciata. The door frames and frames for the Stations of the Cross are done in light grey Convent Sienna marble. Throughout the church, but especially notable in the sanctuary, these marbles are outlined and separated from one another by inserts of varying shades of red Jasper. Most of the marble work in the church was done by Betterson and Eisele of New York."
  • The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola Bronze Doors by the Long Island Bronze Company<br /> <br /> The church has two sets of great twelve-panel bronze doors located at the sanctuary end of the side aisles. They were gifts of the Simpson Family in 1929 and mark the close of a generation of generous pre-Depression gifts. Rev. Patrick O’Gorman designed the doors. The north doors north-side doors depict the saints who personify one of each of the eight Beatitudes. I don’t know anything about this panel, but it says “Blessed that the Hunger.” The doors were crafted by the Long Island Bronze Company.
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