The present Southern Sicilian Romanesque-style brick church at 193 Tenth Avenue was built 1930 to the designs of John Van Pelt of Van Pelt, Hardy & Goubert. Plan were filed in 1929, and it was likely begun that year. Stylistically, it is similar to Van Pelt's other churches in Manhattan and the Bronx. The church design "is reminiscent of the early Romanesque sculpture at the abbey of Moissac. Both churches have a scalloped profile that seems to incorporate a bit of Moorish influence. Both the human and animal forms are treated with the same incredible flexibility...." The AIA Guide to New York City writes "The church's simple brick and limestone Southern Sicilian Romanesque facade merges with the Tuscan village forms of auxiliary buildings to the north in a well- related group." AIA Guide to New York City describes the church as "lush brick and limestone, Italian Romanesque, backed up snug against the High Line. Despite the obvious difference in style and materials, the two were built around the same time."
Parish history
The parish was founded in 1888 by the Rev. William A. O'Neill, who remained pastor until 1895 when he was transferred to St. Ann's as rector. The first church was dedicated June 10, 1888 by Bishop Conroy. The address for the first church was located at 513 West 23rd Street, as recorded in 1892. The parish was founded to minister to workers at the bustling waterfront piers on the nearby Hudson River. A new church was completed in 1910 to the designs of George H. Streeton also at 513 West 23rd Street, replacing the 1888 church building. "In 1911, a parochial school was opened." In 1914, the following was reported: "The Catholic population numbers 3,000, and the church property is valued at $60,000, all out of debt." That area's redevelopment in the 1930s with the construction of the elevated freight railroad, the High Line, by the New York Central Railroad necessitated the church's removal. Similar to the story of nearby St. Michael, the church's demolition and removal for redevelopment in the interests of a railroad were allegedly paid for by that developing railroad, which in this case was the New York Central. The architecture of the new church both seemingly ignores and stands in stark contrast, almost antagonistically to that of the High Line, perhaps reflecting this early relationship. Although threatened with closure, the Archdiocese announced on January 19, 2007 that Guardian Angel would retain its parish status.
Pastors
1888-1895: Rev. William A. O'Neill, transferred 1895 as rector of St. Ann's
1895-1909: Rev. John C. Henry, former pastor of St. Mary’s Church., he had been assisted until 1904 by the Rev. Anthony J. Morgan, replaced by the Rev. Francis A. Kiniry.
1909-1930: Rev. James F. Raywood, a former assistant at St. Columba, a pastor of St. Mary’s Church, and founding pastor at a Monticello, New York, parish. In 1914, Fr. Raywood was assisted by the Revs. Timothy J. O'Brien and Daniel J. Fant.
Rev. Francis X. Quinn, assistant pastor in 1939 and 1940 who was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for bravery
1971-1983: Msgr. Thomas J. McGovern, pastor of Guardian Angel Church and chaplain for the Port of New York. Ordained 1950. Ref: New York Times Obituaries 6-20-1986.
The school was founded in 1911 and has always been run by a professional lay staff and the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh. "In 1911, a parochial school was opened; its school roll in 1914 shows an attendance of 132 boys and 130 girls." Five Sisters of St. Dominic ran the school, as reported in 1914. Along with the church's relocation in 1930, the school relocated to its current location at 193 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10011. The style of the schoolhouse is the same as the church, indicating that the complex was built by Van Pelt concurrently with the church building in 1930, or thereabouts. The current principal is Miss Maureen McElduff.
