ABOUT THE CHURCH » Church History

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WHAT IS THE "HOLY INNOCENTS"?

Our beloved church and parish is named after the December 28th Feast of the Holy Innocents which commemorates the boys of Bethlehen aged two or under who were murdered by King Herod the Great, according to Matthew chapter 2, in a futile attempt to ensure that he was rid of the Christ-child. The feast day was once called 'Childermass' in England. The Innocents symbolize those who are ready to die for Christ at any age and in any time: they died instead of Christ, and thus for him. In earlier ages of high infant mortality, the Church used this feast to console parents whose children had died very young. The glory of Jesus is offered to those who resemble the 'holy babes'.

BUILDING AND PASTORAL HISTORY:

We are delighted to have you with us on cyberspace. This is the very first webpage ever created for Holy Innocents Church. We guess you could say, "It's about time!" Computers though, have not been around for a long time, but Holy Innocents has been flourishing in Brooklyn, New York since 1909, the year of its founding. Our very first pastor was Rev. William J. Costello. The first Mass was celebrated across the street from the church in what is now our a lot dedicated to the devotion of our Blessed Mother. On the present site of the church stood a temporary wooden structure. The cornerstone was laid in 1914, and you can clearly see it today. Several years later, the building was completed.

PASTORS OF THE PARISH:

MUSIC HISTORY:

By then, an organ was needed to make the liturgies beautiful. A grand pipe organ manufactured by the Ernest M. Skinner Organ Company was purchased. It consists of 25 ranks (approximately 1,200 pipes), and a 3-manual keyboard. Mr. Johnson was hired as the first Director of Music. He had a daughter named Justine, who also played here. In 1947, Mr. Michael A. Greene was the Director. He was a gifted musician and composer. Anyone who saw him perform was in awe. His compositions are still used today. (The "Gloria" you may have linked to in our home page, is one of his many compostions.) Mr. Greene had two assistant organists and one associate.

His two assistant organists were Mr.John Sweeney and Mr. Matthew Belacio. 1972 brought his prize student and Associate Organist, Mr. Patrick J. Marvello, as his successor. Dr. Alfred E. Cresci was Mr. Marvello's associate and he played his first Mass here in November, 1975. When Mr. Marvello left us this past September, Dr. Cresci who had been playing here and at Sacred Heart (Adelphi Street), returned "home" to his boyhood parish and assumed the duties of Director of Music on Feb. 2001.