CULTURE COMMUNITY COMMERCE

Italian Harlem

A major influence in East Harlem’s religious history was the influx of Italian immigrants in the late 1800’s.  These Italians, mostly from Southern Italy, held Roman Catholicism as a fundamental part of their lives and culture.  The Italians arriving in the area displaced much of the Irish community, who despised being pushed away.  The Irish Catholic Church would not accept the Italian community, and thus they were forced to form their own congregations and celebrations. Featured on the left is a photo of a traditional festa honoring the Madonna that took place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel circa 1920.

Religion served as a way to link the Italians in East Harlem with the life they had left behind in the home country.  Italian immigrants often adorned their homes with sacred relics and statues of popular Italian saints, such as St. Anthony of Padua.  Often in a ceremony of departure, they would receive a sacred image, which was brought with them to the New World.  The image acted as a protector and companion for them. It is said that the Madonna used in the annual Italian Harlem festa was brought to New York in this way.

Madonna statue

Two Roman Catholic parishes became important to the Italian community:

St. Cecilia’s Parish The cornerstone of St. Cecilia’s Parish was laid on September 9, 1883.  Reverend Monsignor William P. Flannelly served as the first pastor of the Church and oversaw the completion of the upper Church in 1887.  Saint Cecilia's Church is located at East 106 Street, between Lexington and Park Avenues.   Featured on the right is the parish of Saint Cecilia as it is decorated for the advent season.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Work on this church (located at 115th Street) was completed in 1884 and Our Lady of Mount Carmel became established as the first Italian Parish in New York City.  Many festas in celebration to Italian saints have been held within the Church and outside of its’ walls.  The most popular of these festas includes Italian Harlem’s festa to La Madonna de Monte Carmelo. Holding up the statue of La Madonna, Italian Catholics processed throughout the streets of Italian Harlem, as if marking boundaries and consecrating the ground as holy.

Religion Home Spanish Harlem Top of Page