History

The Parish of Saint Ann was created in 1911, formed from the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on East 115th Street. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was founded in 1889 to serve a rapidly expanding population of Italian immigrants. In 1880, New York City had about 12,000 Italians; in 1900 there were 225,000, and by 1910 the number had grown to 550,000.

The parish honors Saint Ann, the mother of Mary and  grandmother of Jesus. 

The Parish of Saint Ann started with a small chapel at 307 East 112th Street, but the pastor, Father G. Cardi, a Pallottine priest, quickly made plans for a larger church at 312 East 110th Street, between First and Second Avenues. The new church was designed by Nicholas Serracino and built of  brick and stone at a cost of $50,000. It opened in 1913, and by the end of the year had 10,000 parishioners and recorded 1,005 baptisms, 296 confirmations, and 115 marriages. 

Over the years, many Italian families moved away from the neighborhood, succeeded by Spanish-speaking residents, many from Puerto Rico and Mexico. Eventually the parish was served by Don Orione Fathers, of the Sons of Divine Providence, and in recent years by priests from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions.

In 2015, the Archdiocese of New York merged the Parish of Saint Ann with the Parish of Saint Lucy, whose church was located a half-mile away at 344 East 104th Street, retaining the Church of Saint Ann for the combined parish. Today, the Parish of Saint Ann-Saint Lucy is served by priests of the Archdiocese, with Father D’Angelo Jiménez the administrator.

Next door to today's Church of Saint Ann-Saint Lucy is the former Saint Ann School. It opened in 1926 in a five-story brick building at 314 East 110th Street, under the administration of the  Filippini Sisters. The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, assumed administration of the school in 1984. Saint Ann School eventually closed, and today the building is leased to The Reece School.

Saint Ann Convent is located behind the church, at 319 East 109th Street. The convent, opened in 1955, is now closed, with the building available for occasional use by the parish. 

The Story of Saint Ann

Saint Ann, recognized as the mother of the Virgin Mary, is a significant figure in Christian tradition. Much of what is known about her life comes from apocryphal texts, as she is not mentioned in the canonical Bible.

Early Life and Marriage

Saint Ann, also known as Hannah, is believed to have been born in Bethlehem and married Saint Joachim. They were a wealthy and devout couple living in Nazareth. Anne and Joachim faced the societal stigma of childlessness, which caused them great distress. Joachim was even turned away from the Temple due to his lack of offspring, prompting him to retreat into the mountains to pray.

Divine Announcement

In their despair, both Ann and Joachim received a divine message from an angel. The angel assured Ann that she would conceive and bear a daughter, whom they would name Mary. This miraculous conception is often compared to the Old Testament story of Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel.

Life with Mary

When Mary was three years old, Ann and Joachim brought her to the Temple in Jerusalem to dedicate her to God. This event has led to the establishment of various feast days in honor of Mary and Ann.

Patronage and Legacy

Saint Ann is venerated as the patron saint of mothers, women in labor, and grandparents, reflecting her role as the grandmother of Jesus. Her feast day is July 26. The devotion to Saint Ann grew significantly during the Middle Ages, influencing theologians and leading to the construction of many churches in her honor.

Saint Ann’s life, as derived from apocryphal sources, highlights themes of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. Her legacy continues to inspire devotion among Christians, particularly as a symbol of motherhood and familial love..

The Parish of Saint Lucy was established on November 12, 1899, to serve Italian- and English-speaking Catholics living between East 97th and 110th Streets and Second Avenue and the East River. 

The parish honors Saint Lucy, a martyr and patron saint of the blind.

Father Edmund W. Cronin, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, organized the Parish of Saint Lucy and was its first pastor. The first Mass was said on January 21, 1900, in a temporary chapel at 2008 First Avenue. Father Cronin worked quickly, and on June 6, 1900, ground was broken for a basement church with a rectory above at 344 East 104th Street, between First and Second Avenues. The rectory was ready for occupancy by Christmas, and five months later the basement church was dedicated by Archbishop Michael Corrigan, on Pentecost Sunday, May 26, 1901.

In 1914, the parish numbered more than 15,000 Catholics when plans were made to expand the church and build a school on the site. Designed by Thomas J. Duff, the three-story, neo-Gothic church and school building was dedicated on November 7, 1915, by Cardinal John Murphy Farley.

In 2014, the Archdiocese of New York announced a major restructuring of its parishes, and Saint Lucy was merged with the neighboring Parish of Saint Ann. The Church of Saint Lucy was deconsecrated on June 30, 2017, and the church and school torn down. Today, the site is occupied by a school.

The large gold crucifix that was at the rear of Saint Lucy's sanctuary today hangs high above the sanctuary at Saint Ann-Saint Lucy. 

The Story of Saint Lucy

Saint Lucy, known as Santa Lucia in Italian, was born in the year 283 in Syracuse, Sicily. She came from a wealthy and noble family, and from a young age she devoted her life to Christianity. Lucy was particularly inspired by the story of Saint Agatha, another martyr from Sicily, which fueled her desire to remain chaste and serve God.

Early Life and Vision

Lucy’s mother, Eutychia, was suffering from a serious illness when, in a bid to find a cure, Lucy took her to the tomb of Saint Agatha. There, Lucy prayed for intercession, and her mother was miraculously healed. Grateful for the miracle, Lucy decided to give away her family's wealth to the poor. This act of charity incited the anger of her betrothed, who was a pagan and reported her to the authorities.

Persecution and Martyrdom

In the face of persecution, Lucy refused to marry and remained steadfast in her faith. Her refusal to renounce Christianity led to her arrest. According to legend, she was subjected to various tortures. One popular story recounts how she was condemned to a brothel, but she remained unharmed; her faith rendered her invulnerable.

Another famous tale tells of her eyes being gouged out by her captors, which is why she is often depicted with her eyes on a plate. Despite this, Lucy continued to proclaim her faith until her eventual execution, believed to have taken place in 304.

Legacy and Feast Day

Saint Lucy is celebrated as a martyr and is the patron saint of the blind and those with eye problems. Her feast day, December 13, is marked by various traditions, especially in Scandinavia, where she is honored with processions and festivities.

Lucy’s story symbolizes unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution, making her a beloved figure in Christian history.