St. Cecilia Church and Convent (New York City)

The construction of this church was defined by an unusual degree of hands-on involvement from its second pastor, Father Michael J. Phelan. Known throughout the archdiocese as the Builder of Churches, Phelan bypassed the traditional route of hiring a general contractor and instead assumed that role himself. He personally scouted and hired the bricklayers, carpenters, and plasterers, many of whom were members of his own congregation. This decision allowed the parish to complete the project with significant financial savings, a feat that cemented his reputation for managing complex architectural undertakings on a tight budget.