The first church building was designed by Napoleon LeBrun, constructed in 1869–1870, and dedicated on April 3, 1870.

The seating is distributed closely around the main altar, supporting the liturgical reforms of Vatican II.

[4] In 2000, the AIA Guide to New York City called this church: "the most positive modernist religious statement on Manhattan Island to date.

Now led by a lay principal and faculty, it was historically staffed by the Sisters of Charity of New York and the Congregation of Christian Brothers.

[6] The current four-story brick rectory was built at 239 East 21st Street in 1936–1937, designed by Robert J.