Father Francis P. Duffy - New York City, NY - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

The Smithsonian Inventory (visit link) describes this work thusly:
"Figure of a man in WWI uniform, holding a Bible in his hands. At his feet is a doughboy's helmet and behind the figure is a huge Celtic cross." It also adds these remarks:
"Father Duffy was a chaplain in the World War I "Fighting Irish" 165th Regiment. He was wounded at the front lines and received the Disinguished Service Cross. The statue was a gift of the Fathe rDuffy Memorial Committee and the W. P. A. provided the setting."

The statue is right behind the half-price Broadway theatre tickets kiosk in Times Square. Perhaps you've been on a line waiting to buy tickets and been wrapped around the 1936 bronze statue.

The artist, Charles Keck (1875-1951) was an American sculptor born in New York City. He is best known for his monuments and architectural sculptures. Read more about him at (visit link)

Wikipedia (visit link) informs us that Duffy was the most decorated cleric in the history of the US Army. He had been born in Canada but immigrated to New York City and taught here for a while. He went on to become a meber of the faculty at of St. Joseph's Seminary. He served in WWI as a chaplain for the 165th Regiment (previously known as "The Fighting 69th") which was composed primarily of first- and second-generation Irish immigrants from New York City. Duffy was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal, the Conspicuous Service Cross (New York State), the Légion d'honneur (France), and the Croix de Guerre.

TITLE: Father Francis P. Duffy ARTIST(S): Charles keck DATE: 1936 MEDIUM: Bronze statue on granite pedestal. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 76003490 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located Broadway & Seventh Avenue, between 46th & 47th Streets, New York, New York DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: No differences in description...but, a typo in remarks "Fathe rDuffy"

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date of your visit, your impressions of the sculpture, and at least ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH. Add any additional information you may have, particularly any personal observations about the condition of the sculpture.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   12/29/2023 eilers1 visited it 01/03/2023 Ariberna visited it 08/12/2022 chrissyml visited it 10/06/2017 Go Boilers! visited it 08/28/2016 The A-Team visited it 08/13/2016 ToRo61 visited it 06/27/2016 bluesnote visited it 03/28/2016 jezevcik visited it 01/31/2015 denben visited it 12/22/2014 Pistache 911 visited it 07/13/2014 Yewbacca visited it 04/25/2014 Ou_Est_Charly visited it 04/05/2014 navy30000 visited it 12/15/2013 jumiki visited it 08/16/2013 Lucky_Al visited it 07/23/2013 GPComd visited it 09/10/2012 pepsi3 visited it 03/19/2012 mumbo jumbo visited it 09/03/2011 TXLoneRanger visited it 08/17/2011 Metro2 visited it 07/21/2011 FLIPPER&CO visited it

View all visits/logs