Our Lady of Angels seeks to name street in honor of parish’s 125th anniversary

Our Lady of Angels Church (OLA) has begun the process of co-naming the corner of 73rd Street and Fourth Avenue “Our Lady of Angels Way.”

The proposal was announced by Jayne Capetanakis, chair of CB 10’s Traffic and Transportation Committee at Community Board 10’s monthly board meeting, held on Monday, March 20 at the Norwegian Christian Home. She said that the committee had been contacted by OLA’s pastor Monsignor Kevin Noone, who explained that the church would be celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

Noting that OLA had been described as a “beacon of faith and service” for the Bay Ridge community, Capetanakis said that the parish, “Serves the community as a house of worship, as a neighborhood center with numerous charitable ministries to help those in need and for their elementary school, now Holy Angels Academy, which has served generations of children.”

Noone wants the parish to be recognized not only for its religious presence but also for work that it has done as part of its civic duty and for the community.

“The Ragamuffin Parade emanated from here in 1967 due to the work of our parishioners, and our school has educated thousands of students. We are also blessed with a great auditorium and gym that local leaders have used for town halls and various health drives,” Noone said. He also noted that Boy Scout Troop 23 has called OLA home for over 100 years, and is the oldest troop sponsored by the Catholic church.

Noone does not, however, want to give the impression that OLA “thinks they are better than any other parish. ” Rather, he explained, the parish simply wants recognition of its continued presence in the community.

Capetanakis informed those in attendance that per CB 10 procedural rules, the committee will vote on its recommendation next month and that this item will be brought to the full board’s next meeting in April. Assuming the board approves the co-naming, the request will move to the City Council, which will vote on it and then forward the legislation authorizing the co-naming, if it is approved, to the mayor for his signature.

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