Father Francis D. Duffy Statue and Duffy Square
Also known as: Father Francis P. Duffy Monument and Duffy Square
Why it's listed
Rising from a stepped green granite podium in the middle of Duffy Square, this over-life-size bronze figure shows Father Francis P. Duffy in his World War I uniform, holding a Bible, with a granite Celtic cross behind him and a granite bench nearby. Sculptor Charles Keck designed the nine-foot statue, which was unveiled on May 2, 1937, before a crowd of more than 30,000. Duffy served as chaplain of the Fighting 69th Regiment, received several American, French and Canadian honors, and later became pastor of Holy Cross Church, serving Hell's Kitchen and the theater district. After his death in 1932, a memorial committee raised funds for the monument, and the triangle was officially named Duffy Square in 1939. The monument is valued as a work of public art by a nationally known sculptor and as a symbol of patriotism and Irish American pride. Later additions, including a George M. Cohan statue, flagpoles, a fence and a ticket booth, do not contribute to its significance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the statue is an outstanding local example of twentieth-century public art and an important work of sculptor Charles Keck. It also memorializes Duffy, the chaplain of the Fighting 69th in World War I and a beloved New York priest. The memorial retains a high degree of integrity.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 01000243, listed March 12, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Triangle bounded by Broadway, Seventh Ave., W. 47th. and W. 46th St., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | March 12, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000243 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1937-1939 |
| Architect / builder | Keck, Charles (sculptor) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals: Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The statue remains unaltered in the center of the square, surrounded by a later non-contributing fence. Other additions include flagpoles, a George M. Cohan statue, planters and a ticket booth. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.75912, -73.98499 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 01000243.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q901251
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.