Brooklyn Heights part VI church: Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral
What is belief? I used to think belief is the believing in one type of religions. But now, I learned from someone that belief can be anything that giving you strength, hope, and energy to keep you striving and living. It could be money, a person, a song, a thing, or a dream. And everyone has belief in fact although still many people don’t think they have one.
I saw many churches at Brooklyn Heights on 8/26/2021, but I would like to talk about Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral among them because of its gorgeous doors with interesting stories.
Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral is a Maronite Catholic cathedral. And the church building was originally the house of “Church of the Pilgrims”. It was established when St. Joseph’s church was founded in Manhattan, New York City. Father Khairallah Stephen was the first priest of the church. He bought a big brownstone house with his own money $2000 and a donation of $600 in 1902. This house was located at 295–297 Hicks Street. On 2/17/1903, the church incorporated as “The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lebanon”. In 1904, the church began to provide services to people. The church was on the first floor. On the second floor, there was the rectory. In January 1906, the church was dedicated after its basement combined its first floor. From then on, it grew into a big church in the following decades. On 12/8/1943, the former Congregational Church of the Pilgrims was bought by Father Khairallah Stephen’s nephew and Father Mansour Stephen with $70000. On 11/26/1944 (Sunday), The new Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral was dedicated. On 12/30/1944, parishioner George Jebaily bought the brownstone house which was behind the church. On 6/27/1977, the Eparchy of St. Maron-USA’s See city was transferred to Brooklyn from Detroit. And on the same day, Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral was designated the cathedral.
Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral was designed by Richard Upjohn in the Romanesque Revival architectural style. It was built for $65000. On 12/22/1844, the cornerstone was laid. On 5/12/1846, the first service was provided. In 1869, Leopold Eidlitz designed the church addition, such as 450 seats, a large lecture room, and other rooms. In 1934, the Church of the Pilgrims and the Plymouth Church merged to Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims.
The doors were originally used as the French luxury liner the SS Normandie. The ten medallions on the doors shows 9 cities in Normandy, and the Normandie’s sister ship SS lle de France. In order to fit the church’s entrance, the doors were altered. Also, the marble pilasters of the narthex and the mahogany doors were from the mansion (located in NYC) of Charles M. Schwab.
In 1953, in France, Swiss artist Jean Crotti created some new windows using the Gemmaux method for the church. In late 1950s. Lebanese artist Sabiha Douaihy created some more windows, and also worked at the old windows for the church.
The marble and onyx floor was from the French and Lebanese Pavillions at the New York World’s Fair of 1939. In the 17th century, in Northern Italy and Southern Germany, the bronze baptistery gates were created. In 1952, Lebanese artist created the mural which is behind the altar. On the mural, Our Lady of Harissa is standing on the top of mountains, and looking down the sea coast.
The pipe organ was originally built in 1870 and rebuilt in 1909. It has 3 manuals, 25 stops, 1525 pipes, and 23 ranks. It was replaced with a new console after the church was turned into the Maronite congregation. In 1987, a relocation of the console becoming closer to the organ was attemptly made.
Below are other churches I saw at Brooklyn Heights — — -
