About Saint John Chrysostom · Bronx, New York
St. John Chrysostom is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish in the Longwood/Hoe Avenue neighborhood of the South Bronx, part of the Archdiocese of New York. Founded in 1899 to serve a mostly Irish immigrant community, it has grown with the borough and today ministers primarily to a Latino congregation, with the majority of Masses celebrated in Spanish. The parish operates St. John Chrysostom Elementary School (est. 1914) and is known for its pastoral presence during the "Fort Apache" years of the 1970s–80s, when it stayed open as a safe haven for children.
- Established
- 1899
- Patron
- St. John Chrysostom
- Rector
- Rev. Richard M. Marrano
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New York
Why belong here
St. John Chrysostom is a bilingual parish that takes seriously its identity as "United in Love — Unidos en Amor." Whether you worship in English or Spanish, you will find a full weekly schedule with daily Mass, Saturday Vigil and four Sunday Masses, weekly Confession, and several blocks of Eucharistic Adoration. The parish runs St. John Chrysostom Elementary School (serving roughly 600 students under the longtime care of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill), a Religious Education program, a Youth Group, and a vibrant Sacred Music program — making it a good home for families, school families, and Spanish-speaking Catholics in the South Bronx.
Mass times at Saint John Chrysostom
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM (also available by appointment)
Adoration times
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Parish History
St. John Chrysostom was established in 1899 by the Rev. Bernard F. Brady, who broke the new parish off from St. Augustine's to serve the growing Irish Catholic population of the Longwood neighborhood. The twin-towered brick church opened the following year, and the parish school was built across Hoe Avenue in 1914, staffed from the start by the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill. By the 1940s enrollment had passed 1,000. As Irish, Italian, and Polish families moved on, Hispanic families from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, along with African American neighbors, became the heart of the parish. In the 1970s and 80s, when the surrounding blocks of the South Bronx burned, St. John's stayed open and earned the nickname "Little House on the Prairie." In more recent decades it has become the setting for moments of citywide mourning, including the 2001 funeral of anthrax victim Kathy T. Nguyen and the funeral of NYPD Officer Daniel Enchautegui, presided over by Cardinal Edward M. Egan.
- Founded 1899 by Rev. Bernard F. Brady (separated from St. Augustine parish)
- Church building opened 1900; school built 1914
- Sisters of Sparkill have taught at the school since 1914
- Mid-20th century: Latino and African American families become the core community
- 1970s–80s: "Fort Apache" era — parish remained a refuge for children
- 2001: Funeral of Kathy T. Nguyen held at the parish
St. John Chrysostom Elementary School
The parish school sits at 1144 Hoe Avenue, diagonally across from the church and adjacent to the rectory. Opened in 1914 — less than two decades after the church — it has been staffed since its first day by the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill. By the 1940s enrollment topped one thousand. Today the school serves approximately 600 students across Pre-K through Grade 8, with roughly two sections per grade, and is led by Principal Sr. Mary Elizabeth Mooney, O.P. (phone: 718-328-7226).
- Address: 1144 Hoe Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459
- Founded 1914, originally to give Irish immigrant children Catholic schooling
- Staffed by Dominican Sisters of Sparkill since opening
- Enrollment today: about 600 students, Pre-K–Grade 8
- Principal: Sr. Mary Elizabeth Mooney, O.P.
- Phone: (718) 328-7226
Religious Education and Youth
Faith formation for parish children who do not attend the parish school is coordinated by Ms. Connie Lopez, the parish's Coordinator of Religious Education. The parish also runs a Youth Group (grades 7 and up) with regular gatherings and annual photo highlights posted on the parish website.
- Religious Education program (Coordinator: Connie Lopez)
- Youth Group for 7th grade and older
- Annual youth-group activities and outings
Music and Sacred Liturgy
Music at St. John Chrysostom is led by Ms. Maya Lewis, the parish's Director of Sacred Music, who serves a bilingual congregation. The parish has hosted faith-filled live-music events during its Revivals, including music by Evelyn Moran, Alverlis Music, and Marisel Music, alongside sung Vespers and a Mass of Healing.
- Director of Sacred Music: Maya Lewis
- Bilingual music ministry (English/Spanish)
- Live-music ministry at parish Revivals and special liturgies
Clergy, Staff, and Religious
The parish is pastored by the Rev. Richard M. Marrano, who is described by the Archdiocese and by local Catholic media as the current pastor. He is supported by the Salesians of Don Bosco, who serve as weekend associates. Lay staff run the parish office, religious education program, school, music ministry, and digital communications.
- Pastor: Rev. Richard M. Marrano
- School Principal: Sr. Mary Elizabeth Mooney, O.P.
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Ms. Connie Lopez
- Parish Office Manager: Ms. Elizabeth Reyes
- Director of Sacred Music: Ms. Maya Lewis
- Social Media / Website Administrator: Mr. Angel Madera
- Weekend Associates: Salesians of Don Bosco
Parish Life and Outreach
St. John Chrysostom describes itself as "United in Love — Unidos en Amor," and its public life centers on the bilingual parish schedule, the school, faith formation, and youth ministry. The parish also runs WeShare online giving and live-streams Mass from its website, making it easier for homebound parishioners and Spanish-speaking families across the diocese to stay connected.
- WeShare online giving platform
- Live-streamed Masses via sjcbronx.org
- Weeklong Charismatic Parish Revivals (24-hour Adoration, Vespers, Mass of Healing)
Visiting and Contact
The church is at 985 East 167th Street at the corner of Hoe Avenue in the Longwood section of the South Bronx, with the school and rectory directly across Hoe Avenue at 1144 Hoe Avenue. The parish office can be reached at (718) 542-6164, and the school at (718) 328-7226. Office hours are Monday 1–7 PM; Tuesday–Thursday 10 AM–7 PM; Friday 10 AM–5 PM; Saturday 10 AM–1 PM; Sunday 9 AM–12 PM.
- Address: 985 East 167th Street, Bronx, NY 10459
- Parish phone: 718-542-6164
- School phone: 718-328-7226
- Office hours: Mon 1–7 PM; Tue–Thu 10–7; Fri 10–5; Sat 10–1; Sun 9–12
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bernard F. Brady1899–
First rector; founded the parish by breaking it off from St. Augustine parish for the Irish immigrant community.