Wikipedia

Anthony J. DePace

Anthony J. DePace (1892–1977) was an American architect who designed numerous Roman Catholic churches throughout the Northeastern United States area during the mid to late 20th century.

Anthony J. DePace
Holy Cross Church, New Britain CT
BornJuly 13, 1892[1][2]
Italy[1][2]
Died1977
New York City
NationalityAmerican
Known forArchitect

Early life and education

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DePace was born on July 13, 1892, in Italy.[1][2] Shortly thereafter he emigrated to the United States and moved to the Bronx in New York where he lived for the rest of his life. He was educated at Morris High School (Bronx, New York)[1] and studied evenings at the Engineering and Architecture School of New York University,[2] earning a degree there in architectural engineering.

Early career

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Upon graduation, he entered the firm of Alfred C. Bossom where he rose to the position of chief draftsman from 1917 to 1920,[1] or alternatively recorded as 1916 to 1921.[2] He then moved to the firm of Cass Gilbert from 1920 to 1923 and served as project manager for the construction of the New York Life Building in New York City,[1] on the hallowed site of Richard M. Upjohn's Madison Square Presbyterian Church, New York City (1854) and later Stanford White's Madison Square Presbyterian Church, New York City (1906).

The NY Life Insurance Tower was erected late in Cass Gilbert's career when the architect had withdrawn from most aspects of design and client relations, even for important projects. While Gilbert was the lead designer of the NY Life, it has been widely reported in his biographies that he appeared very uninterested in the project when meeting with clients and left most of the work to his staff. This might suggest a greater role for DePace.

DePace and Juster (1923-1947)

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In 1923, DePace left Cass Gilbert and formed DePace and Juster, in partnership with Samuel Juster.[1] The firm continued in practice until 1947 when the partnership was dissolved.[2]

Anthony J. DePace, AIA (1947-1977)

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DePace established his own firm under his own name in 1947 and continued this practice until his death. His office was located at 151 West 46th Street, New York City.[1][2] However, the firm of Anthony J. DePace, AIA was not listed in the third edition of the American Architects Directory, published 1970.[3]

DePace was a registered architect in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania.[2] He considered his principle works to be St. James's Hospital (Newark, New Jersey) (1960), Cathedral High School (Hartford, Connecticut) (1960), Norwalk Cathedral High School (Norwalk, Connecticut) (1960), Pelham Bay General Hospital (Bronx, New York) (1960), Immaculate Heart Academy (Bergen County, New Jersey) (1961).[2]

Legacy

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Over his long career, DePace is remembered as a prolific designer of Roman Catholic churches, schools, rectories and convents. Throughout his career he worked closely with several Roman Catholic Diocese including the Archdiocese of New York (Southern New York), Archdiocese of Newark (Northern New Jersey), Archdiocese of Hartford (Connecticut), Diocese of Brooklyn (Brooklyn and Queens, New York City), Diocese of Bridgeport (Connecticut), and Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts.[2] Although his work was prolific, he never achieved critical recognition.

Honors, awards, and publication

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Works include

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Archdiocese of New York:

Diocese of Brooklyn:

Archdiocese of Newark:

 
Saint Catherine of Sienna, Cedar Grove

Archdiocese of Hartford:

 
Convent at St. Gabriel's, Hazelton, Pennsylvania

Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut:

Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts:

Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts:

elsewhere:

References

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DePace, Anthony. "AIA Architect Roster Questionnaire, 1953". Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2010.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h DePace, Anthony J. (1953). "AIA Architect Roster Questionnaire, 1953". American Institute of Architects Roster. American Institute of Architects. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m American Architects Directory, Second Edition (New York City: R.R. Bowker LLC, 1962)
  3. ^ American Architects Directory, Third Edition (New York City: R.R. Bowker LLC, 1970)
  4. ^ History of St. Teresa School (with photo of Mr. Depace)[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ a b White, Norval; Willensky, Elliot; Leadon, Fran (2010). AIA Guide to New York City (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19538-386-7.
  6. ^ description of the Moller organ at St. Roch Church Archived May 10, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Letter requesting protection of St. Vincent De Paul
  8. ^ "Holy Family Parish History". Archived from the original on 2010-07-25. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  9. ^ St. Thomas Acquinas Parish History
  10. ^ "St. Rose of Lima Parish History". Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  11. ^ "St. Ann, Fair Lawn" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  12. ^ "Liberal Arts Building and Rotunda at Marywood College". Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  13. ^ "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania". CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on 2007-07-21. Retrieved 2012-03-12. Note: This includes Robert Janosov and Lawrence Newman (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: St. Gabriel's Catholic Parish Complex" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-03-05.
  14. ^ "information on St. Gabriel Convent". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
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