St Raphael's Roman Catholic Church

Built in 1900-1902

Photographed in 2012

The Church of Saints Cyril & Methodius and St. Raphael. is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, located at 502 West 41st Street in Hell's Kitchen / Clinton, Manhattan, New York City, near the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel. It was established in 1974 from the parish merger of St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church and SS. Cyril & Methodius and is staffed by the Franciscan Friars. The church is located in the former St. Raphael's Church. It is the city's Croatian American parish.

The church building and "dwelling house" (used as a rectory) was built between 1900 and 1902 ("in marble" according to some) as the Parish Church of St. Raphael to the designs by the New York architect George H. Streeton for $90,000 (for the church) and $25,000 (for the dwelling house). The twin-towered design and front facade is composed of Manhattan schist trimmed with limestone; the rest of the church is brick trimmed with stone.
(Source: Wikipedia)

The Christ Memorial Church, Philadelphia

4233 Chestnut St. (43rd and Chestnut Sts), Spruce Hill, West Philadelphia
Build in 1887, Photographed in 2009
Designer: Isaac Purcell (1853-1910)

This is an impressive church with wonderful gothic architecture. It was considered as one of the best
features of the West Philly skyline about a century back. The church (and neighborhood around it) have
seen better days. Now the church is under a threat of eventual demolition, due to many decades of neglect.
The property, in fact, is on market for sale for $96,000 (May, 2010).

Further reading:
Church needs millions to fix collapsed tower