Walking through New York, it’s impossible not to look up in awe at the city’s architecture. Among the skyscrapers and glass towers, you can still find unusual Catholic churches — one of them is the Holy Family Church.
At first glance, it’s hard to believe this is a church. Built in 1965 by architect George J. Sole, the building looks like a strict dark granite monolith with no windows. Without its crosses and spire, one might mistake it for a bunker or an industrial facility.
A Parish for Immigrants and Innovators
The parish’s history began more than a century ago, originally serving Italian-speaking Catholics. Yet it quickly became known throughout New York. Archival records show more than 9,000 parishioners registered at its peak.
Its popularity stemmed from an unusual approach: the church established an altar dedicated to St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers — something highly valued by immigrant taxi drivers. The parish even blessed cars right on the street, a practice so striking that President Franklin D. Roosevelt himself noted the initiative in 1931.
The “United Nations Parish”
After the new church building was completed next to the United Nations headquarters, it earned the informal nickname “the U.N. Parish.” Beyond being a spiritual home for Catholics, it became a historic venue for interfaith encounters.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI visited Holy Family Church during his first trip to the U.S. There, he held an ecumenical gathering with Protestant, Orthodox, and Jewish leaders. Later, in 1979, Pope John Paul II also came to the church, offering his blessing to parishioners after addressing the U.N. General Assembly.
Architecture and the City
In 1998, Holy Family Church sold its unused air rights to Donald Trump for $10 million. He combined them with air rights purchased from the Japan Society and other nearby property owners to build the Trump World Tower, which now rises at the eastern end of the block along First Avenue.
📍 Address: Holy Family Church / 315 East 47th Street, New York, NY
