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The 1st Catholic Church of New York gift from Spain
Thanks to the decisive contribution of Spain to the independence of the 13 colonies, the exception was made and a Catholic church was allowed to be built in New York. In 1786 his first mass was celebrated.
+ Hispanic Roots
Help from Spain
The Hispanic community in New York did not have a public place to celebrate Masses. That is why it was done in private homes. Help was requested from Spain for the construction of the first Catholic church in the city.
Church in New York
St Peter and the 1,000 Spanish silver coins
Financed by Carlos III of Spain, at the request of the Spanish delegation and the merchants who had to spend time in the city.
Gift from Spain
The First Catholic Church was built as a gift from the King of Spain
The Spanish Dollar coins allowed their construction to begin in 1785. In 1786 it was completed and inaugurated. King Carlos III sent the 1,000 silver coins necessary and within 2 years it was possible to celebrate mass there
Protestant opposition
The decisive contribution of Spain to its Independence allowed it
Had strong opposition from Protestants
The church was to be built in the center of the old city. A protest movement led to pleas for it to be built outside the center. In this way, instead of starting the works on Broad street, its current location began in Barclay.
The Bishopric of Mexico City collaborated with a portrait of Saint Peter. The Mexican artist Vallejo also collaborated.
The Ambassador of Spain
On the day of the Victory Parade, the Spanish Ambassador was next to and to the right of George Washington. Gardoqui at the independence victory parade
Spain’s relations with the recent United States of America could not be better. Spain had made a decisive contribution to the American victory.
Spain’s contribution to the new country was not only weapons, clothing, financing. Spain’s control of the Mississippi River was also decisive, which allowed the patriots to supply during the war. The defeats that Spain inflicted on the English in the Gulf of Mexico and the occupation of the Bahamas were decisive.
Spanish coins
Coins of Carlos III under the first stone
In 1785 the first stone was laid, in gratitude to its sponsor, Spanish coins of King Carlos III were placed under it. In 1800 the first Catholic school in New York was installed there
St Peter’s Church
At Barclays
It was rebuilt in 1836 in the Greek Revival style with Ionic columns. In it there is always a seat reserved for the Ambassador or the King of Spain.
There was no Catholic church in New York
Masses were held in private homes
Every new country, more merchants from New Spain came to the new-born country. The Ambassador of Spain himself could not hear mass, as there was no Catholic church. That is why it was improvised and celebrated in private homes.
Help was requested from the Spanish Crown to build a Catholic church. King Carlos III collaborated through Bernardo Gálvez by sending 1,000 silver coins, the Spanish Dollar strong currency of the time.
The decisive aid of Spain in the victory of the U.S
Spanish aid to the War of Independence of the 13 colonies was decisive
The outcome of the war was decided thanks to Spanish help. Shipments like the 25th cannon, 30,000 rifles, 13,000 grenades, 300,000 pounds of gunpowder, 30,000 uniforms.
The independent United States of America were grateful to Spain as their help was vital to the outcome in their favor of the war of independence against England. For this reason, despite having a majority of the population of Protestant religion, Spain could not be denied the construction of a Catholic church.
