Williamsbridge

This neighborhood was an Italian stronghold at the end of the 1800’s and early part of the 20^th century. The center of the community was The Church of the Immaculate Conception, at Gun Hill Road and Holland Avenue. The first church was built in 1903 and was destroyed by a fire in 1923. The present structure has a Capuchin monastery attached to it (St. Bonaventure). There is a structure which exists at 740 East 215^th Street just east of White Plains Road. This is a chapel which was built in 1905 by a gentleman named Francesco Lisanti, a baker. The chapel is replete with stained glass windows, an altar, statues and even an organ. The chapel still stands although all of the Italians have left this area. There are practically no indications that this was once an Italian enclave.