Rockville Centre in Nassau County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Anvil

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 4, 2018

1. Anvil Marker

Inscription.
This is the
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: Religion & Religious Structures. 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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the New York City Metropolitan Area

and on Long Island.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

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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); John Michael Ahern (within shouting distance of 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); September 11, 2001 Memorial (about 400 feet away); The Church of the Ascension (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockville Centre.

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

Anvil Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 4, 2018

2. Anvil Marker - wide view

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 Ian Lefkowitz, September 20, 2025

3. Anvil Marker

A close-up photo of the now-weathered anvil.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 681 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on September 21, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.