This massive gray church, with its majestic towers and entranceway, was built on a scale usually associated with cathedrals. The construction was by William H. Fissell.
It is an adaptation of the Baroque style simplified with Art Deco details, typical of the 1920s when it was designed and constructed. In some accouints, the style is called “Italian Renaissance.” When opened in 1929, it was the largest parish church in the United States, seating 2,480. The preacher at the dedication ceremony was Rev. Fulton J. Sheen.
The muted gray interior, designed by John Earley, is illuminated with spectacular stained glass. According to parish accounts, they were designed by and/or fabricated by local artists Charles hodge and John Farrell. In the nave, Old Testament heroes face saints of the New Covenant. Prominent are Saint Patrick and St. Boniface, testifying to the Irish and German heritage of the congregation that built this edifice.
The striking rose window features a crucifix that divides it in a three dimensional manner. The soft glow in this window is produced by alabaster, not glass.
The two transept balconies are an unusual feature in this churhc, and add to its distinctiveness. Much of the decoration utilizes what is called “applied mosaic,” a style popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It can be seen in the figures in the apse, done in Art Deco style. This method used common stone rahter than glass or marble and produced a soft effect.
The Baroque main altar is rare Algerian onyx decorated with little pineapples. Details in the church include pietrasanta marble. The main altar and the side altars were made by Daprato of Chicago. A lengthy Cararra marble and bronze altar rail depicts the faces of the Twelve Apostles, whose features are copied from those in the “Last Supper” by Leonardo DaVinci. On either side of the altar are twin raised pulpits, a rarely seen feature. Flanking the main altar are eight-foot high Art Deco bronze urns for flowers. They were manufactured in Dublin in the early 1950s.
About The Building
Architect(s)
- Neil Convery
Architectural Style
- Baroque Revival
Interior Designer(s)
- John Earley
Fabricator(s) of Windows
- Charles Hodge, John Farrell
Bells
Notable Works of Art
- Kilgan Organ designed by PietroYon Algerian Onyx altar Cararra Marble Altar Rail Applied Mosaics Alabaster Rose Window
Renovations
Current Status: Closed
Current Owner and Use: Leased by a Baptist congregation.
Interior Pictures
Exterior Pictures
Commentary: The sanctuary suites of the main altar and the side altars will continue to serve in the Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Apostle in Leesburg, Virginia. The altar rail will be repurposed for decoration in the same church. http://www.saintjohnleesburg.org/
Year Opened: 1929
Year Closed: 2010
It’s a little blurry looking at the computer screen through my wet eyes. We lived at 50 Hazelwood Ave, 4th house up from the Sacred Heart block. I was born in 1951 and attended the old brick school through 5th grade. The last day of school, 5th grade, I walked to our new home at 120 South Kingman Rd, South Orange, 0.6 miles further. I still attended Sacred Heart in the new 2-story, modern school, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Hugs, Kisses, Hi-5’s, and bro-slaps to everyone! If I had to do it all over again, I would have walked, talked, held hands with, hugged and kissed the half dozen or more so-cute girls who liked me. Shyness and lack of social skills held me back. My biggest regrets.
I share the thoughts and feelings and memories of the other commenters. My father was born close to there in 1910, so he was 19 when that beautiful Church was built, and he lived there his whole life until 1979. I always wondered why he went to West Side High School, and I guess Sacred Heart Elementary wasn’t built until The Church was, in 1929. He got a job with AT&T in Manhattan when he was 18, in 1928, so he witnessed the construction of The Empire State Building, Sacred Heart Church, and other iconic buildings. How exciting for a young man!
Did anyone else used to buy Streissel buns (crumb buns) and other pastries on the way home from Church on Sunday? Anybody go to CYO Day Camp after 5th and 6th grades? Remember Boylan Street Pool? Little League Parade, Vailsburg Park, Ivy Hill Park, sledding on the hill in Cameron Park? Dave Scully ’64 915 228-8032
RIP to my uncle, Rev. MIchael Jerome Feketie, 9.21.1931-10.15.2023. Sacred Heart Vailsburg, Seton Hall Prep, Seton Hall College, and Immaculate Conception Seminary at Darlington. Ordained on May 25, 1957, his First Solemn Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Vailsburg the following day. 66 years of priesthood serving the Spanish speaking communities of the Archdiocese of Newark at St. Augustine, Union City; St. Joseph of the Palisades, West New York; St. Mary’s, Rahway; and St Mary’s, Plainfield, where he retired in residence in 2005. St. John’s in Leesburg is a beautiful church and extremely vibrant parish community. The altar is now named for him in honor of his ministry.
RIP Padre,
“John Peter” – as he liked to call me.
I loved Sacred Heart Church n both the original old school and the new one that was built. I was at mass with our class and also sang in the choir. I and my brothers have had all our sacraments in this beautiful church. I was married in Sacred Heart June 29, 1974. I wish Sacred Heart was still open. St Theresa’s statue and the base are in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington , NJ. Also, St. Anthony and some stain glass with saints, and other items were placed in the third masoleum chapel.
I vividly remember walking with my paternal grandmother, Eileen Smith, from 60 Longfellow Avenue to attend Mass at Sacred Heat Church. I was only about five and wore a veil and of course fasted prior to Mass. It was in Latin. I was mesmerized by the light streaming in through the gorgeous, stained glass windows onto the marble floor. The experience filled me with an other worldly feeling I have never forgotten. After Mass of course my grandmother would cook a huge breakfast for everyone! My mother was married in this historic church on May 23, 1953. She said they rang the church bells prior to her coming to the church to be wed and people all over the neighborhood threw their doors opened, because they had not played the bells since WWII! Because of the fond memories with my grandmother and to honor my mother I chose to have my wedding there on June 25, 1994. I designed the bridesmaids dresses in silk, lavender taffeta reminiscent of the 1890’s and they carried ostrich feathered fans in their lavender, gloved hands walking down the long isle to “The Theme from Romeo and Juliet!” The groomsmen all wore black tux with white gloves and my husband even wore an ascot, top hat and white gloves for our picture on the front steps. We drove off in a 1960’s, silver Rolls Royce to our reception at “The Mansion” at Fairleigh Dickinson in Madison (where I graduated with my BSN). The mass was so beautiful and so meaningful to me being in that holy, historical church. To honor my Irish heritage I also had the bag pipes played. When he played “Amazing Grace” I think everyone was crying! I am so glad I have my video of the beautiful inside of this grand Church. Next Sunday will be my 29th wedding anniversary. God blessed us with a son and two daughters that we adore! I am sad that it is no longer a Roman Catholic Church, but grateful for all the beloved memories that I cherish.
Went to sacred heart school for nearly ten years. We had weekly mass at the church. Fond memories of a beautiful place!
Grew up in that parish. Wonderfull memories of what a beautiful church both inside and outside.
. Made all the sacriiments in SH
Beautiful church. We were married there on October 2, 1966. The church was being renovated so it looked like the pictures you see when Michaelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel. The altar was completed just prior to our wedding.
My parish growing up, my Dad’s and his Dad’s. Made all our sacraments there, married there…went to the very last mass there Best parish around…best people.
My parish growing up. Such a beautiful church.
Went to Sacred Heart School. Married by Fr. Varley on 6/14/1975. Beautiful church. Thank you for the history of our great church that was.
this was a beautiful church I am so glad to told of the history of the church I never knew any of this history and I am happy to say that on October 4 1975 my husband and I were married in that beautiful church
Went to school there married at Sacred Heart Msgr. Murphy was our pastor ….
A lot of fond memories….