Rockville Centre in Nassau County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Anvil
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 4, 2018
1. Anvil Marker
Anvil
over which the
first Mass
was offered
in Rockville Centre
in the summer of
1887
in the blacksmith shop
of Mr. Walter Johnson
on Centre Avenue
Donated by Mr. Frank Calitri
in memory of
J. J. Strazzeri
Erected by Mr. Frank Calitri.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 40° 39.564′ N, 73° 38.783′ W. Marker is in Rockville Centre, New York, in Nassau County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Quealy Place and Clinton Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre NY 11570, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Agnes World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Saint Agnes (a few steps from this marker); South Side (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 30 Pounder Parrott Gun (about 300 feet away); Rockville Centre World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away); The Church of the Ascension (about 400 feet away); The Suburban Oasis Built by a Thirsty City (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Wreck of the Mexico - January 2, 1837 (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockville Centre.
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is located in front of St. Agnes Church, on the left as one faces the entrance.
Also see . . . Parish History - Part 1 (Parish of the St. Agnes Cathedral). "1887 A group of six Catholic families rent Walter Johnson’s blacksmith shop (located on Centre Avenue north of Jamaica Avenue [now called Merrick Road]) where Mass is celebrated. (The anvil from Mr. Johnson's shop used as an altar is on display on the front lawn of the Cathedral.) Father E. J. Connell of Rockaway Beach was assigned by the first Bishop of Brooklyn, Rt. Rev. John Loughlin, to visit Rockville Centre on Sundays and offer Mass although he could perform this duty only occasionally. From the summer of 1888 until his return to New York in the fall of 1889, Father Thomas Robinson, a Paulist visiting Rockville Centre on sick leave, zealously ministered to the little congregation." (Submitted on August 3, 2018.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 4, 2018
2. Anvil Marker - wide view
Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
