Jeremiah O'Rourke, FAIA,, was an Irish-American architect known primarily for his designs of Roman Catholic churches and institutions and Federal post offices. He was a founder of the Newark-based architectural firms of Jeremiah O'Rourke and Jeremiah O'Rourke & Sons.
He set up his architectural firm in Newark, New Jersey, where he was Patrick Charles Keely's chief "competitor for Roman Catholic church and institutional commissions in metropolitan New York and northern New Jersey." He became a member and Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1886. O'Rourke was appointed to the office of the United States Supervising Architect in Washington, D.C. on the recommendation of both New Jersey senators in early 1893 at an annual salary of $4,500, succeeding W. J. Edbrooke of Chicago , where he designed several federal post offices. (President Cleveland served two terms, 1885-1889 and from 1893-1897, so he did in fact appoint O'Rourke as Supervisory Architect. He returned in 1894 to private practice, founding Jeremiah O'Rourke & Sons in Newark, New Jersey and New York City with sons William P. O'Rourke, Joseph B. O'Rourke, and Louis J. O'Rourke. O'Rourke and his sons specialized in ecclesiastical designs. O'Rourke died April 22, 1915.
St. John's Church, Completed 1868; Church has 200 foot spire. When interviewed by a New York Newspaper reporter shortly before he died in 1915, O'Rourke commented that "St. John's" was his favorite design
Columbus Hall, Orange, NJ. Built in 1893, in a generally neo-Renaissance style, constructed of buff-colored brick with stone belt courses and ornamental terra cotta trimmings. Built as the home of St. John's School, it included a fully equipped theatre.
Church of St. Paul the Apostle
Hotel Lorraine, 545 5th Avenue, New York City, 13 stories
Sacred Heart Bloomfield, Completed and dedicated on Oct. 16,1892
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Newark, New Jersey, Cornerstone, 1899, Primary Architect 1899-1910
St. Michael's Hospital ca. 1868.--It had a magnificent Gothic Revival chapel. The Newark Archdiocese intended it to be a public hospital, and thought that the City could help support it. The city wasn't interested, however the hospital was built, My Aunt remembers that when Catholics were being canvassed to support it, that anyone who donated to the cause would be assured of a hospital bed. It was staffed for over one hundred years by Franciscan nuns. Also, it is said that at its cornerstone laying, it was the first time that blacks and whites marched together in procession in the United States.
Holy Cross Church Harrison, cornerstone 1886, the spires were never added; A brownstone cathedralesque structure, with virtually intact interior; side porches are additions; aisle
St. Anthony's Church Jersey City was closed, not sure if it has been reopened or demolished -Note date,5.26.2016
St. Mary's Plainfield, New Jersey, cornerstone Immaculate Conception Chapel Completely restored internally and externally. The interior is Liturgically exquisite, the exposed hammer beam roof is beautifully restored and has colorfully painted motifs.
O'Rourke also designed numerous convents, schools, and rectories, Interior has been completely renovated.
