Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Brooklyn, New York)
The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a large major architectural landmark in the southwestern portion the New York City Borough of Brooklyn. It is located at 5th Avenue between 59th and 60th Street in the Sunset Park neighborhood. It is visible for some distance, particularly from the Gowanus Expressway. The Basilica occupies about half of the entire square block extending back to 6th Avenue, with the rectory and ancillary buildings occupying the remainder. It is popularly referred to by its initials, OLPH.
This basilica, founded and still staffed by the Redemptorists, is a Roman Catholic parish church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and serves as a pro-cathedral. The basilica is a double church, i.e., it has two floors of worship (a la the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi in Assisi). The upstairs church was commonly only used to host weddings and special group services such a confirmation and communion, but has come back into more frequent use. For many years, mass in Spanish was held upstairs because of the large number of parishioners in attendance. The lower level is for smaller services. The first floor has been renovated many times in recent years. It new modernized look is more inviting and welcoming to parishioners.
Because of its great size, the Basilica hosts major diocesan services that would otherwise be held at Brooklyn's other, considerably smaller, minor basilica, the Cathedral Basilica of St. James (e.g., ordinations). For the same reason, it also hosts sadder events; it is a venue-of-choice for the larger funerals of those who have fallen in the line of duty while in the service of the New York City Police Department and the New York City Fire Department.
At the time of its completion, the parish was largely Irish in character (as evidenced by the inscriptions on the memorial windows). It was built on what was known as Irish Hill and there is still an Irish presence.Some of the family names are: Wade,Connors,Burns McCaffrey and Healy. Today, it is predominantly Hispanic and Chinese. The Basilica is still grand and receives a huge attendance, particularly on holidays such as Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Christmas.
The parish has an elementary school which is located down the block on 6th Avenue and 59th and 60th Street. The elementary school had it 100th anniversary in 2003. Until recently, there was also a OLPH Commercial High School for girls which opened in 1956,and was dubbed "The friendliest school in town" but it closed in 1999 due to low enrollment. Both schools since their inception have had the Sisters of St.Joseph as teachers.Their convent is located on 59th Street and 6th Avenue.A rectory for the Redemptorist priests is located on 59th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.
It is served by the New York City Subway Fourth Avenue line 59th Street subway station (N and R Lines).
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