In December 1st., 1924, Reverend
Edwin M. Sinott, Pastor of Saint Martin of Tours' Church. issued
a statement to the people of the parish in which he declared:
"The time has come for St. Martin of Tours' Parish to build its
school. We know we must have it. Our Faith demands it, our
Parish needs it. Its cost will not be small, its burden must be
borne by all. A few cannot carry it. All lending a hand the task
will, please God, not be hard."
The appeal met a hearty response. In less than a week's rime the
nucleus of a building fund was subscribed, the workers of the
Parish pledging themselves to monthly payments over a period of
twenty months.
His Eminence Patrick Cardinal Hayes sanctioned the project and
the eminent architect Robert J. Reiley, was commissioned to draw
plans for a school and convent.
A few weeks later the Frank A. O'Hare Company, Inc., began the
work on construction. The foundations were blasted out of solid
rock and presently the sturdy steel and concrete framework began
to rise.
It was apparent from the start that the new school was no
ordinary job. Unlike many buildings of our day the new school
was planned and constructed to endure.
While the convent and school constitute two separate buildings
they form one architectural unit in the Gothic style, and
harmonize with the church and rectory. Tapestry-brick,
terra-cotta and limestone lend beauty to the thoroughly
fire-proof structure.
The building has a frontage of 160 feet on l82nd Street and 60
feet on Crotona Avenue. On the street level is an auditorium
with a capacity of 720 persons, principal's office, dressing
room, and girls' lavatory. A large gymnasium, boys' lavatory and
heating and storage plant are located in the basement. The upper
story contains six standard sized classrooms and a teachers'
restroom and will be surmounted by
another story of classrooms as the parish grows in size.
One side of the classrooms is practically all window space. The
other side is fitted with oak-paneled wardrobes controlled by a
series of sliding doors. Over the wardrobes are transoms leading
out to the wide terrazzo floored corridor which runs the length
of the building.
A ventilating system connected with electric exhaust on the roof
insures a steady current of fresh air.
The Auditorium is one of the attractive features of the new
school. Its leaded glass windows, unusually wide and high are
tastefully draped with taupe velour curtains and valances to
conceal the basketball netting which is let down on the occasion
of athletic use.
Radiators are concealed behind a wainscoting of oak with brass
grillwork. Lighting fixtures of statuary bronze are in keeping
with the gothic spirit of the building.
A commodious stage permits the productions of plays with a large
cast and is draped in in taupe whip-cord with a taupe whip-cord
with taupe velour draw curtain.
Beneath the stage are runways for long trucks which are used to
carry off the chairs from the auditorium floor.
