Chinatown in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Our Father
Photographed By Larry Gertner, February 5, 2019
1. Our Father Marker
The ‘Mandorla’ surrounding the bronze statue of Felix Varela is an anodized aluminum “almond-shaped” frame. The mandorla signifies the holiness of Varela: it commands a three-block long perspective by which draws the viewer into the meaning of Our Father put into action in the works of Fr. Varela.
Felix Varela
A victim of political persecution and a beacon of religious freedom, the mandorla is intended to be a scrim for the projection to offer a voice to those who suffer religious and political persecution
First Vicar General of Diocese of New York
Founded Transfiguration Parish
Advocate for the Immigrant
Champion of Cuban Independence and Emancipation of Slaves.
Installed 2014 November
Art concept: Fr. Andrew More O’Connor
Architect: Hans Roegele
Realization: Chris Knight, SI Applied, Sheffield, UK
Framing: Christopher O’Connor
Base: “But deliver us from evil” Black South African granite from the lot used for the 9/11 Memorial.
Funding: People of Transfiguration Parish and Fr. O’Connor
Erected 2014 by People of Transfiguration Parish and Fr. O’Connor.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion
this page online
Location. 40° 42.887′ N, 73° 59.937′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Chinatown. Marker is on Mott Street near Mosco Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29 Mott Street, New York NY 10013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Church of the Transfiguration 1801 (here, next to this marker); Church of the Transfiguration (here, next to this marker); Padre Felix Varela Morales (a few steps from this marker); Roll of Honor (a few steps from this marker); In the Future Our Asian Community Is Safe (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Sun Yat-sen (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 銀記故事 / The Story of Yinji Rice Noodle Roll (about 400 feet away); Gateway to Old Chinatown (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Regarding Our Father. A mandorla, from the Italian language name for the "almond" nut, is a frame that surrounds the figures of Christ and the Virgin Mary in traditional Christian art.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, February 5, 2019
2. The "Our Father" mandorla
surrounding a statue of Felix Varela
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 2006
3. The Venerable Fr. Felix Varela statue, 2006
before the mandorla - the Church of the Transfiguration to the left, the school building to the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 3, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
