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Welcome To Holy Spirit Church

Holy Spirit is a vibrant Catholic community that is inspired by the spirit of faith, hope and love. We are blessed with generous, talented people with minds that believe, hearts that hope, and souls that love. We encourage you to share in the Spirit.

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info@holyspiritbrooklyn.org
(718) 436-5565
1712 45th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204

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Church of the Holy Ghost

Early Catholic History of Brooklyn Background of the Holy Ghost Church

Brooklyn, or Breuckelen, as The section around Fulton Ferry was then known, with Wallabout Flushing, Flatbush, Flatlands, New Utrecht and Gowanus were originally farming communities founded by the early Dutch Settlers, All these communities, with exception of Flatbush (which became the center and county seat of Kings County) were formerly established near a creek or inlet in order that the inhabitants could obtain fresh fish for their daily menu, as well as for The purpose of easy communication with each other. Gowanus is generally known as the oldest of The Dutch settlements of the communities of Brooklyn, it was named after the Indian Chief who sold the first land to the Dutch in that locality, on the shores of the waters which were named Gowanus Creek or Canal, at the foot of Butler Street. This section is roughly mapped as the Terrain between Breuckelen and New Utrecht, It includes the parts now known as South Brooklyn and Bay Ridge, roughly from 1st Street to 60th Street. Near the wafer’s edge/ along the Creek and the Bay, great tracts of land were cultivated, and these extended to the wild pastures and woodlands on the slopes of the Ridge, two irregular road, one of which was near the waterline, ran across these farms from Brooklyn to New Utrecht. In 1834, Brooklyn Village obtained a charter from The State of New York, over the opposition of The City Of New York, Gowanus was included in the New City of Brooklyn. This was the background of the origin of the first Churches in Brooklyn.

In or about 1816, a size able group of Catholics came to work in the new Federal Navy Yard. At first, they went to Mass in New York every Sunday, by ferry, to St. Peter’s Church, Barclay St. In 1822, a small group of men petitioned the Bishop of New York for a resident Priest for Brooklyn. They banded together and bought eight lots for a church, school and cemetery. In that same year, they invited Bishop Connolly of New York for the breaking of the ground and for The beginning of a new Church, but they were unable to obtain a resident priest until the year 1825, Ten years later, or about 1836, another Church was built on Court Street, and this was known as St. Paul’s in the Field. A Third Church was built in 1841 by an Austrian Priest, Father John Raffeiner, who bought land and built a Church for the German Immigrants in The Bushwick section, at his own expense. Later in 1841, The Church of the Assumption was organized, and from That period the Catholic Church grow by leaps and bounds, In quick succession, St. Mary’s Church was built in the Bushwick section, St. Patrick’s came info being on Kent Avenue, John’s on 21 Street, St. Peter and Paul in the. Williamsburg section, and Holy Cross Chapel in the Flatbush section. Thus we see how the Catholic Faith spread out fanwise to the district known as Parkville, where The Holy Ghost Parish was founded, about 100 years after The first Church was established in Brooklyn.

1921-1946

To the young twenty-five years is a long, long time. To the mature, however, as well as to The Church, if is but a drop of water in the ocean of the centuries. If was a little over 25 years ago that a small group of Christ-loving people under the spiritual leadership of Rev, John Je ONeill formally petitioned The Bishop of Brooklyn to establish a parish in the section of the city known as Parkville, This petition became necessary because of the increase in the Catholic population of the area, and the distance these people had to travel in order to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Besides, the pastor envisioned the many spiritual benefits that would accrue to Catholicity! by bringing the Church nearer to the good people of Parkville, On November 19th, 1919, after prayerful deliberation, Most Reverend Charles E. O’Donnell then Bishop of Brooklyn granted permission to erect a church at the eastern end of the Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Only a few days later! on December 8th, 1919, Reva James J. Coam Secretary of the Board of Consultors of The Brooklyn Diocese, informed Father O’Neill that he could begin to plan the parish of the Holy Ghost, and suggested the purchase of some property on 1 7fh Avenue, between 45th and 46th Street. Father OI Neill was fortunate enough to obtain this property, which included a house for the sum of $30,000. This purchase took place in April 1920.

With the aid of the people of the newly formed parish, the first Mass was celebrated at Holy Ghost on June 20th, 1920 in the ground floor dining room of the rectory, The celebration of Mass continued there while plans for the construction of a suitable church were formulated, The blueprints for the church building were finally drawn up, by Mr. D. W. Chisholm. the architect.

Holy Ghost Parish

To the young twenty-five years is a long, long time. To the mature, however, as well as to The Church, if is but a drop of water in the ocean of the centuries. If was a little over 25 years ago that a small group of Christ-loving people under the spiritual leadership of Rev, John Je O’Neill formally petitioned The Bishop of Brooklyn to establish a parish in the section of the city known as Parkville, This petition became necessary because of the increase in the Catholic population of the area, and the distance these people had to travel in order to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Besides, the pastor envisioned the many spiritual benefits that would accrue to Catholicity! by bringing the Church nearer to the good people of Parkville, On November 19th, 1919, after prayerful deliberation, Most Reverend Charles E. O’Donnell then Bishop of Brooklyn granted permission to erect a church at the eastern end of the Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Only a few days later! on December 8th, 1919, Rev. James J. Coam Secretary of the Board of Consultors of The Brooklyn Diocese, informed Father O’Neill that he could begin to plan the parish of the Holy Ghost, and suggested the purchase of some property on 17th Avenue, between 45th and 46th Street. Father OI Neill was fortunate enough to obtain this property, which included a house for the sum of $30,000. This purchase took place in April 1920.

With the aid of the people of the newly formed parish, the first Mass was celebrated at Holy Ghost on June 20th, 1920 in the ground floor dining room of the rectory, The celebration of Mass continued there while plans for the construction of a suitable church were formulated, The blueprints for the church building were finally drawn up, by Mr. D. W. Chisholm. the architect.

By November 7th, 1920, the basement of the church was ready for use, and the first Mass was read there that day. On January 16th, the superstructure was completed and The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated was on the main altar for the first time. The cost of the new church building was $64,000, and the furnishings, including a beautiful organ which cost $16,000.

Bishop McDonnell did not live to see the original plans completed, for he died in August of 1921. However, the canonical proceedings continued and on October 9th, 1921, the church was dedicated by Most Rev. Thomas E. Molloy, as one of his very first official acts after becoming Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Rev. Joseph Carroll the first pastor of Holy Ghost parish, found here a very energetic group of wholehearted and enthusiastic Catholic people. They worked zealously and with confidence in order to pay the debt contracted for the buildings, the land and furnishings of the newly formed parish, He succeeded in increasing his flock from 500 in number to over a thousand by gathering them from far and near to attend Mass and devotions.

The Parish of the Holy Ghost has had but three pastors since its dedication, Father Carroll was here from 192 1 to 1931. He was succeeded by Rev. John F. Ross, pastor from 1931 To 1945, The present pastor, Rev. Charles J. Hughes is directing the Jubilee celebration.

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