Sacred Hearts–St. Stephen Church stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Carroll Gardens, reflecting the neighborhood's rich Italian-American heritage and the broader narrative of immigrant resilience in Brooklyn.
A neighborhood grows from working class roots with a history as deep as it's iconic brownstones' front gardens
Carroll Gardens isn’t just defined by its brownstones and deep front gardens. It’s a neighborhood shaped by centuries of immigration—by the people who came here seeking stability, community, and a chance to build something lasting. If you want to understand that story, you could do worse than to start with the parish of Sacred Hearts & Saint Stephen Church.
Though religious in function, the church has also been a mirror—quietly reflecting the hopes, struggles, and transformations of Carroll Gardens across generations. From Irish beginnings to Italian traditions, and through the disruptions of modern urban planning, its history tells a story that resonates far beyond its walls. It’s a story about assimilation, identity, and how neighborhoods absorb change without losing their soul.
The first arrivals and shifting ground
The earliest waves of European immigrants to settle in what is now Carroll Gardens were predominantly Irish, many fleeing famine and hardship. By the mid-19th century, they had established roots here, building homes, founding churches, and shaping the early Catholic identity of the neighborhood. One of those institutions was St. Stephen’s Church, opened in 1866 to serve a growing Irish Catholic population.
But as the 19th century gave way to the 20th, another wave of immigrants—this time largely Southern Italian—began arriving in Brooklyn in greater numbers. Their arrival was not always welcomed. Cultural, linguistic, and even theological differences created tension between the older Irish population and the newer Italian arrivals. The Irish, having already fought for a foothold in American society, were sometimes wary of these newer neighbors, while the Italians—deeply communal and family-focused—often felt marginalized or misunderstood within Irish-dominated institutions.
In response, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church was founded in 1882 as the first parish in Brooklyn specifically for Italian Catholics. It was more than a place of worship—it was a cultural haven. And it soon became the spiritual and social center for countless Italian-American families planting roots in South Brooklyn.
For more on the neighborhood today—including current listings and local insights—visit the Carroll Gardens page on my website.
Mother Cabrini and the work of uplifting new immigrants
The church also played a key role in education and support for new arrivals. In the 1890s, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, later canonized as the first American saint, established a school for Italian immigrant children right where Mother Cabrini Park sits today. Her mission was clear: to help Italian families integrate into American life while maintaining their cultural and spiritual identity—her story and theirs recently told again in the award winning film Cabrini.
For many, that little school on President Street was the first step on the road to citizenship, prosperity, and belonging.
The highway and the merger
By the 1940s, the Irish had largely moved out of Carroll Gardens, many following jobs and opportunities to the suburbs or other parts of Brooklyn. The Italian community, now firmly rooted, became the defining cultural thread of the neighborhood.
But no neighborhood stays untouched by external forces. In one of the most disruptive acts of 20th-century urban planning, Robert Moses carved the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) through the area. His plans demolished homes, businesses, and most notably, the original Sacred Hearts Church. The final Mass took place on December 7, 1941, the same day Pearl Harbor was attacked—a painful historical coincidence for a community already in mourning.
With the destruction of their building, Sacred Hearts merged with the nearby St. Stephen’s parish, forming the Sacred Hearts & Saint Stephen Church we know today. The merger, though born of loss, became a symbol of how communities evolve—blending histories, identities, and spiritual traditions into something lasting.
Tradition, procession, and quiet continuity
Today, Carroll Gardens is known for its classic Brooklyn character, its townhouse-lined streets, and its unspoken reverence for heritage. Italian-American culture still permeates the blocks—whether in the aroma of espresso from Court Street cafés or in the annual Maria Addolorata procession, where neighbors gather to honor Our Lady of Sorrows, continuing a ritual brought from Mola di Bari generations ago.
In the background, the church remains—less dominant than it once was, but still central in ways that matter. It stands as a witness to the layers of history beneath every stoop and every street corner.
A lens into something larger
While this post reflects one historical thread in the story of Carroll Gardens, it is by no means the whole story. Today, the neighborhood is home to a diverse mix of residents—people of all backgrounds, cultures, and identities, drawn to its architecture, walkability, and strong sense of community. The legacy of immigrant resilience remains, but it now lives alongside many other voices and perspectives that together define what makes this corner of Brooklyn so special.
Further reading:
Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Guide on comitini.com
Sacred Hearts & Saint Stephen Parish
Robert Moses and the BQE on Brownstoner
History of Mother Cabrini Park on NYC Parks Department
Film:
Cabrini (movie trailer)
Cabrini (first 18 minutes of the film)
