Bishop John Dubois decided to establish a parish on 117th Street and asked Rev.

Curran had been a missionary in the mountains of Pennsylvania and had come highly recommended by Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin.

Maguire's tenure the church was substantially enlarged and rededicated by Archbishop John McCloskey on July 9, 1871.

The demographics of the area, which had been predominantly Irish, gradually changed to reflect more Spanish speaking Catholics.

[6] In 1870 Father Eugene Maguire established the parish school, which was under the care of the Sisters of Charity of New York.

The Carmel Hill Program, established by philanthropist Aiden Ruane provides tuition assistance to over 30 students.