Celebrating New York City Image 12

Just months after the Civil War ended in 1865, a group of veterans, with the help of the Reverend Robert Shaw Howland, founded the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest as a memorial to those who had served and fallen in that terrible conflict. The first services were held in 1865 at the original location at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 45th Street.

In 1925, the parish acquired its present location at 90th and Fifth Avenue from Mrs. Andrew Carnegie, who lived across the street. The new church was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1929. This elegant, Art Deco-style, limestone-clad church is one of only two religious structures on Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side. 

The boldly massed structure was erected with a modern steel frame and has austere limestone façades distinguished by large pointed-arched openings and sculpted figures that seem to grow organically from the stonework. This is especially evident at the entrance with its figures of Moses and John the Baptist and its pair of winged angels.

This is angel on the left side of the front of the Church of the Heavenly Rest. The way it comes right out of the building gives it a certain strength as well as its Art Deco style. The very angular style made interesting shadows. The fact that it is such an unusual angel really made me want to draw it.