Salesian Influence

Though Corpus Christi was a mission-church of Holy Rosary Parish until 1925 its development under the leadership of the Salesian Fathers was truly remarkable. The Reverend Peter Mayerhofer, S.D.B., was assigned as the first priest permanently attached to Corpus Christi Church in 1918. In view of its continued growth, His Eminence, Patrick Cardinal Hayes, Archbishop of New York, on January 3, 1925, formally established Corpus Christi Church as a parish and granted permission for the erection of a new and more spacious church on South Regent Street. The cornerstone, which may be seen on the right-hand of the church's façade, was laid on September 27, 1925.

First Holy Mass

Holy Mass was offered for the first time in the new church on Easter Sunday 1927, though the building was not completely finished. In October of 1927, Cardinal Hayes officially dedicated the church and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation.