St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church
Religion, an important component of traditional Italian culture, is another way to track the changing population in Bensonhurst. St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church on Bay Parkway serves as a good marker. The parish was founded in 1913; the large church on the site was completed in 1963. The church basement features a traditional Neapolitan Nativity scene, the work of Italian immigrant Antonio Vigilante. Although this scene remains as a sign of the Italian presence in the neighborhood, the everyday life of the parish reflects ethnic change. Monsignor David Cassato, pastor of St. Athanasius church, also noted that the church has endured a few significant changes along with the population of Bensonhurst. According to the monsignor, the parish now has three weekend masses in Spanish – while there are only two in Italian. This is a result of the large influx of Mexican and other Latino immigrants to Bensonhurst.
