Augustinian Friars
In 1905, the Archdiocese of New York invited the Order of St. Augustine to create a new parish in the University Heights region of the Bronx. The Reverend Edward G. Dohan, O.S.A., director of the Augustinian Academy on Staten Island, was appointed the first pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church on December 5th 1905. A small brick garage on North Street, just west of Jerome Ave. had been secured as a place of worship, and the very first Mass was celebrated in the St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in 1906.
It is a testament to Fr. Dohan’s initiative that ground was broken only one week later for a new church. This church had a seating capacity of 500, which was more than enough for the entire parish.
Fr. Dohan was succeeded by the Very Reverend Charles M. Driscoll, O.S.A., who’s stay was less than a year as he was to become the provincial.
The third pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church was the Very Reverend Nicholas J. Murphy, O.S.A., starting in 1910. Father Murphy was responsible for enlarging the parish property. In 1911, the city planned to pave and expand Fordham Road, which meant the parish property would be taken over and would no longer be an option for future expansion. Fr. Murphy obtained two lots on University Avenue, directly in back of the old church in exchange for two lots bordering on Fordham Rd. He also purchased two lots adjoining his property on University Ave. The next pastor was appointed by Fr. Driscoll, who was by now the Provincial of the Augustinian Fathers.
In 1917, he appointed Fr. Blase J. Zeiser, O.S.A., who had already served St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church as an assistant from 1908 to 1912. The end of WWI marked a period of national prosperity. The city’s rapid transit system reached the neighborhood. Property in the area was being purchased rapidly and Fr. Zeiser saw the immediate need to purchase more property. St. Nicholas of Tolentine purchased property comprising the corner of Andrew’s Avenue, Fordham Road, and University Avenue in 1923. With the population explosion, the old church was quickly becoming impractical, even with the addition of a new hall at the rear of the church. During this period, the school was expanded and a convent was provided. In 1926 Fr. Zeiser began planning for a new church that would take care of the current and future needs of the growing parish. In 1927, the cornerstone was laid for a Gothic style structure, with massive twin towers framing the facade, salient buttresses, and rose-windowed transepts forming the sides. This present church was dedicated on April 29, 1928 by Cardinal Hayes. It was, at that time, the largest parish church in the Archdiocese. Father Zeiser continued to guide his flock through the Depression and the lean years of the late 1930s, right on through World War II.
The next pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church was Rev. Eugene A. Mauch, O.S.A, who served from 1946 to 1953. Fr. Mauch oversaw the completion of the interior of the upper church.
The next pastor was Fr. Raymond J. Stengel, O.S.A., who oversaw the building of a new modern rectory, the conversion of the old rectory into an additional convent, and the construction of a new high school. He was pastor from 1953 to 1959.
The next pastor was Fr. James M. Hurley, O.S.A., who helped refurbish the lower church and oversaw the final installation of stained glass windows in the lower church. He was pastor from 1959 to 1965.
The next pastor was Fr. Joseph A. Grifferty, O.S.A., who served from 1965 to 1969.
The next pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine was Fr. John Patrick Hennessy, O.S.A., from 1969 to 1972.
Fr. William Krupa, O.S.A., was the pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine from 1972 to 1978.
Fr. Michael Sullivan, O.S.A., was St. Nicholas of Tolentine’s pastor from 1978 to 1980.
Fr. John Byrnes, O.S.A., was the pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine from 1980 to 1982.
Fr. Robert F. Andrews, O.S.A., was St. Nicholas of Tolentine’s pastor from 1982 to 1983.
Fr. Anthony Genovese, O.S.A., was the pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine from 1983 to 1986.
Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., was St. Nicholas of Tolentine’s pastor from 1986 to 1989.
(Fr.) Brian Frawley, O.S.A., was the pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine from 1990 to 1994.
Fr. John Dello Russo, O.S.A., was St. Nicholas of Tolentine’s pastor from 1994 to 2005.
Fr. Joseph Girone, O.S.A., was the pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine from 2005 to 2015.
Fr. Luis Vera, O.S.A., is the current pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, having started in 2015.
