Napoleon LeBrun

Biography

In Philadelphia

LeBrun was born on January 2, 1821, in Philadelphia to Charles and Adelaide (Madelaine) LeBrun. Both parents were well-educated Catholics born in France. His father supported the family by working as an author, teacher and translator. LeBrun's early architectural training began at the age of 15 when he worked in the offices of Thomas Ustick Walter. In 1847, LeBrun designed the St. Augustine Church in Philadelphia. After six years with Walter, LeBrun left to set up his own office in 1841,

As a young man in his twenties, LeBrun found opportunity in the booming industrial development of the Schuylkill Valley of Pennsylvania in the 1840s. His other early work includes the original version of Trinity Episcopal Church, Pottsville (1847), still standing though much altered by later revisions. His design for the church led to the commission for the Schuylkill County Prison (1851) when the county seat moved from Orwigsburg to Pottsville. He also designed the first Columbia County Courthouse in Bloomsburg and the 1854 Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown. Although both were later extensively redesigned and expanded, the notable marble facade of the Montgomery County Courthouse remains his outward and identifying creation.

In Philadelphia, LeBrun was known for his many churches, including not only St. Augustine's and the Cathedral-Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, but also St. Patrick's Catholic Church (1841) on 20th Street and the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany (1848) on 17th Street, now St. John Chrysostom Albanian Orthodox Church.

In New York City

In 1864, LeBrun relocated his office and family to New York City, establishing his reputation there with the Masonic Temple (1870-1875) on West 23rd Street in Manhattan, designed in the Second Empire style;

As in Philadelphia, LeBrun and his firm, often with Pierre as the lead architect, designed numerous churches in New York City, including the Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist (1872) on West 31st Street and the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin (1894–1895) on West 46th Street in the Theater District neighborhood.

Other ecclesiastical commissions included the Seventh Presbyterian Church (1842, demolished), the Scots (or Second) Presbyterian Church (1843, no longer extant), the Church of St. Peter the Apostle (German Catholic) on 5th Street (1843, no longer extant), the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity in Philadelphia (1844, demolished 2013), the Lombard-style Church of the Epiphany (1869–1870, burned down), and St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church on East 12th Street, for which LeBrun designed a French Gothic sanctuary in 1871 which sat behind the original 1847 facade; in 2006 everything but that facade was demolished - it now stands freely in front of a college dormitory built on the site of the sanctuary. His office is also responsible for the current St. Michael's Church (34th Street, Manhattan) church, rectory, convent, and school (1904–1907), which incorporate elements of an earlier church by Lawrence J. O'Connor which was demolished for the construction of the North River Tunnels and Pennsylvania Station.

In 1879, LeBrun served as the American Institute of Architects representative on the Board of Examiners of the Building Bureau of the Fire Department. He became the official architect of the Fire Department of New York and between 1879 and 1895, his firm designed 42 buildings, including fire houses, a fire pier and a warehouse. He also designed some of the earliest skyscrapers, including the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower and the Home Life Building.

Death

LeBrun died in 1901 in New York City, and was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Gallery

File:2013 Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul from across the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.jpg | Cathedral-Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul (1846–1864) in Philadelphia File:2013 Academy of Music from north.jpg | The Academy of Music in Philadelphia (1857) File:Masonic Temple, N.Y, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views crop.jpg | The now-demolished Masonic Temple in Manhattan (1875) which helped established LeBrun's reputation in New York City File:St. John the Baptist Church steeple.jpg | The steeple of the Church of St. John the Baptist (1872) in Manhattan, New York City File:DCTV-DN-firehouse-800x600.jpg|Firehouse, Engine Company 31

References

Citations

Sources

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References

1. "LeBrun, Napoleon (1821-1901) Architect". The Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
2. "Fire Hook & Ladder Company No. 14 (now Fire Engine Company No. 36)". Landmarks Preservation Commission.
3. "Our Parish". Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
4. Langlieb, David. (2009-05-04). "Explorer's Guide Philadelphia, Brandywine Valley & Bucks County: A Great Destination: Includes Lancaster County's Amish Country". The Countryman Press.
5. Thomas, George E.. (17 July 2018). "Schuylkill County Jail". Society of Architectural Historians.
6. (17 July 2018). "Montgomery County Courthouse". Society of Architectural Historians.
7. "Brief History of St. John Chrysostom Albanian Orthodox Church". Saint John Chrysostom Albanian Orthodox Church.
8. Hildebrandt, Rachel. (2016-12-09). "Church Demolition By The Numbers: More Questions Than Answers".
9. ''[http://www.stmichaelnyc.org/multimedia/church-of-st.-michael-centennial-book Church of St. Michael Centennial Book] {{webarchive. link. (2014-05-17 '' (1957))
10. (4 April 2009). "Laurel Hill, a hidden cemetery, gets new look". The Philadelphia Inquirer.