Last updated: September 19, 2022
Place
Holy Family Church
David Calease, NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
915 North 18th Street
Significance:
Architecture
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places; Omaha Local Landmark
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
MANAGED BY:
Private Property Owner
When the Union Pacific Railroad arrived in Omaha in the 1860s, thousands of people were attracted to the area in search of jobs. Many of these people were natives of Ireland seeking new lives in the United States. The Holy Family Church, listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as an Omaha Local Landmark, functioned as a parish church, school, and rectory, built to serve Irish railroad workers and their families.
Holy Family was organized in 1876, the third Roman Catholic parish established in Omaha. It was the first Roman Catholic parish to serve Catholic families who lived just north of the downtown business district, along 16th and 17th Streets, north of Izard Street. Workers from these families held jobs in Union Pacific’s railroad shops and yards, located nearby. Holy Family was thus established in this area as other Roman Catholic churches were located further away from the Irish enclave.
The two-story brick church was built in 1883 by Omaha architects August and Charles Cleves. It features Gothic Revival details, including a steeply pitched roof, lancet windows, and a large rose window with quatrefoil shapes. An original belfry and entrance porch have since been removed but the church retains a high degree of historic integrity despite this loss.
Holy Family was organized in 1876, the third Roman Catholic parish established in Omaha. It was the first Roman Catholic parish to serve Catholic families who lived just north of the downtown business district, along 16th and 17th Streets, north of Izard Street. Workers from these families held jobs in Union Pacific’s railroad shops and yards, located nearby. Holy Family was thus established in this area as other Roman Catholic churches were located further away from the Irish enclave.
The two-story brick church was built in 1883 by Omaha architects August and Charles Cleves. It features Gothic Revival details, including a steeply pitched roof, lancet windows, and a large rose window with quatrefoil shapes. An original belfry and entrance porch have since been removed but the church retains a high degree of historic integrity despite this loss.