St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church

552 West End Avenue

Date: 1901-1902

NB Number: NB 1351-1901

Type:  Church

Architect:  Haight, Charles Coolidge

Developer/Owner/Builder: Church of St. Ignatius, 43 West 39th Street

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District and National Landmark

Landmark Designation Report:Riverside Drive – West End Historic District Extension I

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Gothic Revival

Primary Facade:   Stone

Stories: 1; 3

Window Type/Material: Stained Glass/See Structure

Roof Type/Material: Pitched

Structure:  Significant Architectural Features: Rock faced granite ashlar, pink at basement, grey at upper stories; Tudor arched single and double windows with segmental and flat lintels at basement; side aisle with crenellated parapet; gables with crosses; Parish House: arched entrance; small lancet window; triple cinquefoil windows set within flat headed stone surrounds and arched stained glass windows; sloped roof, gabled dormers and octagonal vent; possibly historic light at entrance; possibly historic wood sash at basement; Special Windows: Stained glass windows (church and parish hall); Decorative Metal Work: Areaway fence

Building Notes: The church entrance is on West 87th Street, Parish House entrance on West End Avenue. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Site Features: Concrete paved areaway with possibly historic fence; stone steps to basement and metal grille on the north side; change in elevation, metal ladder, two metal grilles and gooseneck pipe on the west side; non-historic pamphlet boxes and wood boards attached to fence

Notable History and Residents: St. Ignatius was founded in December 1871 by Dr. Ferdinand C. Ewer, a devoted Anglo-Catholic, and similarly minded members of his former congregation. The parish of St. Ignatius had several homes in mid-Manhattan before the parish, under Fr. Arthur Ritchie, purchased the corner property at West End Avenue and West 87th Street. The parish hired Charles Coolidge Haight, who designed the overall plan and many of the buildings at the General Theological Seminary, to design the building. The firm of John Hardman and Company of Birmingham, England manufactured the pictorial stained glass windows.

West Facade: Designed (historic) Stoop: Historic Door(s): Replaced primary door Windows: Mixed (upper stories); historic (basement) Security Grilles: Not historic (upper stories); not historic (basement) Roof: Pitched – asphalt tile (replaced) Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete Curb Material(s): Stone Areaway Wall/Fence Materials: Historic metal fence Areaway Paving Material: Concrete

South Facade: Partially designed (historic) (partially visible) Facade Notes: Exposed wall of Parish Hall covered with standing-seam metal siding; rock faced granite on church

North Facade: Designed (historic) Facade Notes: Gabled porch with cross, stone stoop, arched entrance, blind arcade and stained glass and blind windows; arched stained glass windows in the side aisles, nave and transept; crenellated parapet on northwest corner of side aisle; basement fenestration similar to west facade; cornerstone at basement entrance; door and stoop railings replaced; non-historic display box; possibly historic light at entrance; flag pole; Episcopal Church sign on metal brackets at corner; safety glass on window nearest porch; metal door at basement with intercom and non-historic light; one basement window and the under stoop opening infilled; building number stenciled on wall; basement windows covered with mesh grilles and/or plastic sheeting; non-historic lights and conduits at basement; roof replaced; concrete sidewalk and curb

Historic District: Riverside Drive-West End HD Extension I

Alterations: Display case and signage; lights with conduits; door replaced; intercom, doorbell, and signage; stained glass window altered for air conditioner; dormer windows replaced; grille in basement altered for air conditioner; metal vent under Parish Hall landing

References: “Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church: History of Saint Ignatius’ Church” (http://www.saintignatiusnyc.org/history, accessed February 7, 2012).