Browse Items (113 total)

This restored view depicts the Church of the Beloved Disciple's principal Marian statue holding the Christ Child, both crowned with floral wreaths for a feast day celebration. The image occupied a place of honor within the sanctuary and was carefully…

Seen in profile, the church's statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is dressed in elaborate vestments and crowned with flowers in preparation for a public procession. Carried through the streets on the Feast of the Assumption and other Marian…

The Church of the Beloved Disciple's statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was richly adorned with embroidered garments, a lace veil, fresh flowers, and a floral crown prepared for the church's liturgical seasons and Marian feasts. Displayed within the…

This icon of the Virgin and Child, painted by John Darcy Noble, served as the focal point of the Church of the Beloved Disciple's Marian shrine. Drawing upon the visual language of Eastern Christian iconography while reflecting Noble's own artistic…

A side chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary provided a quiet place for personal prayer within the Church of the Beloved Disciple. Centered on an icon painted by John Darcy Noble, the shrine was adorned with candles, flowers, and votive lights,…

Father John Noble (left), Bishop Robert Mary Clement (center), and Father Leo M. Joseph (right) celebrate a special Eucharist in honor of New York City's annual Gay Pride March in June 1975. For the Church of the Beloved Disciple, the Mass was both a…

Father Leo M. Joseph (left) and Father John Noble (right) prepare for the celebration of the Eucharist with two acolytes inside the Church of the Beloved Disciple's permanent sanctuary. The church preserved the richness of the Catholic liturgical…

Father Leo M. Joseph proclaims the Eucharistic prayers vested in an ornate chasuble embroidered with the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) and Eucharistic symbols. The richly decorated vestments, many designed by Father Leo, expressed the Church of the Beloved…

Leo M. Joseph censes the altar during the celebration of the Eucharist in the Church of the Beloved Disciple's permanent sanctuary. The use of incense, richly colored vestments, and traditional ceremonial reflected the congregation's commitment to…

Carved by the noted ecclesiastical sculptor Robert ("Robbie") Robbins, this processional crucifix was commissioned for the Church of the Beloved Disciple and served as one of the principal symbols of the congregation's public and liturgical life.…

This carved wooden crucifix, created by artist Robert Robbins, served as the principal cross of the Church of the Beloved Disciple throughout its history. First displayed at the congregation's inaugural Eucharist in the Church of the Holy Apostles in…

Archbishop Robert M. Clement with Fr. Leo (on his left) and Fr. John (on his right) celebrates the Pontifical Mass of Easter Sunday before a congregation gathered in the Church of the Beloved Disciple's permanent sanctuary. Surrounded by clergy and…

Viewed from the rear of the sanctuary, Archbishop Robert M. Clement processes to the altar with Fr. Leo (on his left) and Fr. John (on his right) before celebrating the Pontifical Mass of Easter Sunday before a congregation filling the Church of the…

The renovated façade of the Church of the Beloved Disciple at 348 West 14th Street, the congregation's permanent home from 1973 until 1983. Purchased and restored through the labor and generosity of parishioners, the building became one of the first…

Following an extensive renovation by parishioners, 348 West 14th Street became the permanent home of the Church of the Beloved Disciple and the center of its ministry to New York City's LGBTQ community. Dedicated in October 1973, the former…

Before celebrating the first Mass in the congregation's newly renovated church, Father Robert M. Clement blesses the entrance to the Church of the Beloved Disciple with the Eucharist. Surrounded by clergy, parishioners, and the church's distinctive…

This New York Times article documents the Church of the Beloved Disciple's public procession through Manhattan to its newly renovated church at 348 West 14th Street. Accompanied by clergy, servers, and processional crosses, the congregation carried…

Explore the history of the West Side Discussion Group Center, one of the Church of the Beloved Disciple’s temporary Manhattan worship locations before the congregation established its permanent home at 348 West 14th Street in 1973.

After being asked to leave the Moravian Church, the Church of the Beloved Disciple found a new home at the West Side Discussion Group, where it celebrated worship in the fall of 1973. The congregation's move reflects the challenges faced by…

On November 1, 1972, the Church of the Beloved Disciple held its first service at the Moravian Church on Lexington Avenue, marking the congregation's second worship location since its founding.