Church of the Transfiguration

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Formed in 1836 by Father Varela, who was also associated with St. James’ Church, the church took over the site of where a Protestant church used to be. As the church progressed, it became so wealthy it was able to run free schools, one for girls and one for boys. In less than 10 years of the church’s formation, the schools combined had over 1,200 students from low-income families. Located in the Sixth Ward, home of the Five Points, the church serviced the most dangerous and most needy families. The gangs that roamed the area lived in the poorest of conditions saw no need to obey the laws of the government who let them live in that squalor.

The historic research contained in this Open Green Map is from the book: "Six Heritage Tours of the Lower East Side" by Ruth Limmer, in collaboration with NYC's Lower East Side Tenement Museum.

Irish Heritage-LES
updated 03/2012 by NYU Tourism Maps