Church of St. Mary the Virgin (Manhattan)

I had arrived in New York City late on Saturday night. A taxi dropped me off at one of the huge and expensive hotels (49 floors and 1,892 rooms) in spitting distance to Times Square. I was attending a technology conference and the first session was scheduled for Sunday afternoon, leaving me with just enough time to walk to Grand Central Station to take a few photos.

I had been to NYC a couple times before and didn’t take a map, walking East on 46th street, when I noticed a church next to a TGI Friday. I didn’t really have much time to waste, if I wanted to shoot photos at Grand Central Station, still I stepped inside and listen to the sermon for a little while. It was a traditional catholic Sunday service, which didn’t seem to be have much relevance, regarding everyday problems and occasionally someone got up and left. I was sitting in one of the last rows and left too, continued walking towards Park Ave. and Grand Central Station.

I took some nice photos at Grand Central and also got a few cool shots at a Midtown Street Fair. However, I managed to walk back on 46th Street and when I arrived at the church again, the service had ended and it was almost empty, allowing me to take some photos inside the Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

 

St Mary the Virgin Church

145 W 46th St New York, NY 10036

The cornerstone for the church was laid on December 8, 1894, and the church was dedicated in 1895. The completed church was 60 feet (18 m) wide and 180 feet (55 m) long, and the nave was 80 feet (24 m) from floor to ceiling and 46 feet (14 m) wide.