Brooklyn Church Marks 170 Years of Resilience in the Face of Adversity

In November 2025, the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Brooklyn, New York, celebrates its 170th anniversary. The historic house of worship has weathered numerous challenges over the decades, including fire, flood, recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic, yet it remains a steadfast pillar of the community.

The church's origins date back to 1854, when it was established as a small meeting house by Irish, German, and Italian dock and factory workers. As the neighborhood's shipping and manufacturing industry boomed, the congregation quickly outgrew the initial space, leading to the construction of a larger church in 1876. Tragically, this second building was destroyed by a fire in 1896, prompting the congregation to begin building the Gothic-revival structure that stands today.

The current church, made of dark Manhattan schist, is a landmark in its own right. Its clock tower was among the first sights that immigrants spotted upon arriving in New York Harbor, serving as a symbol of hope and freedom. "The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of America, the land of opportunity and freedom. Now there is the Freedom Tower," says the church's pastor, Father Claudio Antecini. "In some places, you can see from the sea, the steeple with the clock. (Arriving immigrants) said, 'Wow, there is hope.' The church is a landmark, a landmark of freedom."

Today, the church continues to serve a diverse congregation, primarily comprising low-income immigrants, many of whom are Latino. Despite the challenges posed by the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda, the church remains a haven for the community, providing food, youth programs, and a place of worship. The church's resilience is a testament to the enduring spirit of the people it serves.