About Saint Athanasius · Bronx, New York
St. Athanasius Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Longwood neighborhood of the Bronx, New York, belonging to the Archdiocese of New York. Founded in 1907 and dedicated on February 21, 1909, the parish is named for Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, a Doctor of the Church. Located at 878 Tiffany Street, it serves a predominantly Hispanic congregation with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish. The parish has a long history of community activism in one of the South Bronx's historically impoverished neighborhoods.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- Saint Athanasius of Alexandria
- Rector
- Rev. Jose Emeterio Rivas
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New York
Why belong here
St. Athanasius is a bilingual English-Spanish parish rooted in over a century of service to the Longwood and Hunts Point communities of the South Bronx. Its ministries and outreach — from affordable housing through SEBCO to neighborhood organizing and a beloved Catholic school — continue a tradition of faith working hand-in-hand with the surrounding community. For worshippers seeking a welcoming parish with regular confession, adoration, and Mass in both English and Spanish, St. Athanasius offers a long-standing home.
Mass times at Saint Athanasius
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM
History of St. Athanasius Parish
Archbishop John Murphy Farley commissioned the parish of St. Athanasius in 1907, purchasing the entire city block on Tiffany Street for $58,000 to serve a rapidly growing Catholic population in the Longwood section of the Bronx. The cornerstone was laid on May 31, 1908, by Cardinal Michael Logue, Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland, who was visiting New York for the centenary of the Archdiocese of New York. The church was solemnly dedicated on February 21, 1909, and has served the neighborhood continuously ever since.
- Parish commissioned by Archbishop John Murphy Farley in 1907
- Cornerstone laid May 31, 1908 by Cardinal Michael Logue of Armagh
- Church solemnly dedicated February 21, 1909
- Patron: Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church
Notable Clergy and Community Leaders
St. Athanasius has been served by clergy who later rose to national prominence and who dedicated themselves to the surrounding South Bronx community. The parish also produced remarkable lay and religious leaders, most notably Sister Miriam Thomas, whose housing and community work transformed the neighborhood.
- Terence James Cooke — curate in the 1950s; later Archbishop of New York and Cardinal
- Father Louis R. Gigante — longtime pastor; founded Simpson Street Development Association (1967) and co-founded SEBCO (1968)
- Father William Smith — co-founded the Mid-Bronx Desperadoes in 1974
- Sister Miriam Thomas, Sisters of Charity — teacher and community organizer; arrived 1962; organized first South Bronx Halloween parade in 1985
Community Outreach and Housing
St. Athanasius has long been a hub for community organizing in the South Bronx, partnering with St. Anthony of Padua to serve low-income residents. Its clergy and religious helped found two of the most influential neighborhood organizations in the borough — the Simpson Street Development Association and SEBCO.
- Simpson Street Development Association — founded 1967 by Father Louis Gigante
- South East Bronx Community Organization (SEBCO) — founded 1968; converts abandoned buildings to affordable housing using federal Section 8 funds
- Sister Thomas Apartments — 105-unit SEBCO development dedicated 2008 on the last city-owned parcel in the South Bronx
St. Athanasius School
The parish school was opened by the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1913, originally situated adjacent to the church on Fox Street. After outgrowing the original building, the parish constructed a new school at 830 Southern Boulevard in 1965, which continues to serve local families.
- Original school opened September 8, 1913 on Fox Street
- Operated by the Sisters of Charity of New York
- New school building constructed at 830 Southern Boulevard in 1965
Location and Contact
St. Athanasius Church is located in the Longwood neighborhood of the Bronx, between Fox Street and Southern Boulevard. The adjacent plaza is named Father Gigante Plaza, honoring the longtime pastor.
- Address: 878 Tiffany Street, Bronx, NY 10459
- Phone: (718) 328-2558
- Website: http://stathanasiusbx.org/
- Parish is part of the Archdiocese of New York
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Louis R. Gigante
Longtime pastor; founded Simpson Street Development Association in 1967; co-founded SEBCO in 1968
- William Smith
Co-founded the Mid-Bronx Desperadoes in 1974
- Terence James Cooke1950s
Served as a curate; later Archbishop of New York