5 /5 Ferony Judy “Deadicated”: Im embarrassed to say I lived a few blocks away and never attended mass here, we tend to be loyal to the parishes were brought up in (mine being St. Dominic, which my family helped build). Over the summer I decided to check out St. Raymonds Church and I was pleasantly surprised, their renovation was tastefully done, get this, they have cushioned pews, not the hard wood butt busters we have in all the other local churches. In another review someone wrote "the mother church of the Bronx" very accurate, what one of their priests told me (b/c I voiced my concerns about church mergers which seem to follow me wherever I go) "We can NEVER merge with another church due to the cemetery and schools." Church mergers and the land-grab and greed that ensue over the real estate and out buildings are disgusting, they ruined our Van Nest community and will ruin upper Morris Park too (just give them time).
The other thing I love about St. Raymonds church is that they have a Mass at noon, a fail-safe if you miss 9 AM Mass (or other earlier Masses locally). Father Cruz (pastor) and Father Lorenzo are wonderful, young, relate-able priests with whom Ive enjoyed their Homilies very much. The property surrounding the church is stunning, beautiful graveyard gardens / landscaping; its a presence in the Bronx and will be there long after Im gone. Another nice thing to see is, the school children attend Mass; you can always go to another Mass if that bothers you (there are a few a day, how wonderful is that?).
Lastly, the stained glass windows, marble inlays and other decorative elements are just awesome, I especially LOVE their Rose Windows and other stained glass windows; photographers will not be disappointed, nether will you.
