In the 1860's it was difficult being a Catholic in New York. There were not enough churches to adequately serve the needs of the faithful. Four Manhattan parishes in particular, St. Mary's on Grand Street, St. Ann's on East 12th Street, Immaculate Conception on East 14th Street, and St. Stephen's on East 28th Street, were truly "bursting at the seams".

The Roman Catholic Church of the Epiphany of Our Lord was founded in 1868. Its first church was erected on the site of Rose Hill, the mansion of Horatio Gates, the Revolutionary War general who won the Battle of Saratoga, arguably the most important victory of the war.

The Church of the Epiphany has had a long and proud 150 year history. At times it has been a dynamic spiritual, social, and missionary presence in our Gramercy neighborhood. It has served thousands of good people and their families, and we are grateful to stand on the shoulders of wonderful parishioners, clergy, nuns, and teachers who made Epiphany a point of light for so many.