Catholic churches and organizations publications and ephemera
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The Catholic churches and organizations publications and ephemera consists of newsletters, bulletins, church histories, anniversary publications, programs from church services, and financial statements dating from 1866 to 1976.
Historical note
From the mid-19th century to the present day, Catholics have remained the largest religious denomination in New York City. Catholic mass was first held in Manhattan in 1683, though parishes and churches were not established until the end of English persecution of Catholics, and after the American Revolution, in the late 18th century. In the then-village of Brooklyn, a Roman Catholic Society was founded in 1822, which oversaw the establishment of St. James' Roman Catholic Church in 1823. St. James', located on Jay Street in present-day Downtown Brooklyn, was the first Catholic church built on Long Island. The influx of European immigrants--especially Irish, German, and later Italian--lead to rapid growth of the Catholic church in New York City. To address needs of an increasing number of churches in Brooklyn, the Diocese of Brooklyn was established in 1853. It remains as of 2010 one of the most populous Catholic dioceses in the United States.
Sources:
- Sharp, John K. History of the Diocese of Brooklyn, 1853-1953. New York: Fordham University Press, 1954.
- Shelley, T. J. "Catholics." In The Encyclopedia of New York City, ed. Kenneth T. Jackson, 190-193. New Haven: Yale University Press; New York: New-York Historical Society, 1995.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by name.
Scope and Contents
The Catholic churches and organizations publications and ephemera consists of newsletters, bulletins, church histories, anniversary publications, programs from church services, and financial statements. Churches represented in the collection include Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Church of the Sacred Heart, Our Lady Help of Christians Church, St. Boniface Church, St. Charles Borromeo Church, St. Francis Monastery, St. Francis of Assisi Church, St. Michael-St. Edward's Church, and St. Patrick's Church. Also included in the collection are issues of the Primitive Catholic newspaper as well as items from Franciscan Brother events in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Catholic Historical Society, and Trinity Church in Manhattan.
Subjects
Organizations
Genres
Topics
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Catholic churches and organizations publications and ephemera, 1986.016, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was formally accessioned in 1986; source and date of the majority of the materials is unknown. When known, provenance is noted at the file level.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Originally minimally processed to the collection level, this collection was rehoused and the finding aid revised to the file level by Dee Bowers in 2024. At that time, it was renamed from "Catholic churches of Brooklyn publications and ephemera" to "Catholic churches and organizations publications and ephemera."
Sponsor Note
Repository
View Inventory
Catholic Historical Society, 1901
Scope and Contents
One bound copy of Catholic Historical Society Records No. 1.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Rev. John K. Sharp, date unknown.
Church of the Assumption, 1960
Scope and Contents
One newsletter dated July 3, 1960.
Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1909
Scope and Contents
One souvenir edition of the Mammoth Fair Official Bulletin.
Church of the Sacred Heart, 1881, 1885, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Financial expenditures, 1881; list of contributors, 1885.
Downtown Brooklyn Parishes, 1975-1976, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Downtown Brooklyn Parishes consists of St. Michael-St. Edward and St. Boniface. "State of the Parish," 1975 and 1976.
Franciscan Brothers, circa 1950s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Centennial dinner program, 1959; "Day in the Life" booklet, circa 1950s.
Our Lady Help of Christians, 1974-1975, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Several copies of the monthly "Church Bulletin."
The Primitive Catholic newspaper, 1890
Scope and Contents
Two issues, September and November 1890.
St. Charles Borromeo, 1924, 1960, 1974, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Diamond Jubilee materials, 1924; Church Bulletin, 1960; Reunion program, 1974.
St. Francis of Assisi, 1972
Scope and Contents
Several issues of the "Tell A View" parish newspaper, January-June 1972.
St. Michael-St. Edward, 1974-1975, inclusive
Scope and Contents
"The Tower" newsletter, "State of the Parish," various programs.
St. Patrick's, 1873-1874, inclusive
Scope and Contents
One sheet detailing church finances.
Trinity Church (Manhattan), 1880, 1946, inclusive
Scope and Contents
"History of Trinity Church and its Graveyard," 1880; Ascension Day program, 1946.
Trinity Church (Manhattan) - St. Paul's Chapel, 1866-1901, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Centennial publication, 1866; "Recollections of St. Paul's Chapel" by Rev. Morgan Dix, 1867, inscribed by Dix to LIHS; "Old St. Paul's Chapel," 1896, gift of Frederick E. Haight; "Historical Handbook No. 1: St. Paul's Chapel," 1901, gift of Alfred T. White.
