Church Of Our Lady Of Solace, 1924.

The building which would eventually house the Church of Our Lady of Solace was originally built as the Palm Garden dance hall. Built for recreational purposes, by 1900 the structure was abandoned and in disrepair. Discovered by members of the congregation of St. Finnbar's in neighboring Bath Beach, the church was converted to religious use by a newly arrived pastor, Reverend Joseph Francis Brophy, D.D (who was later nicknamed “The Apostle of Coney Island”) and the religious community. Young boys cleared out the critters who had been occupying the building, saloon screens where used as room dividers, and a discarded refrigerator was turned on its side to serve as a temporary altar. The church had it first mass in November 1900.

The pastor quickly realized that the location of the church was not ideal and after securing plots of land on Mermaid Avenue and 17th Street, the move of the church was planned. Completed in two section because the first attempt was paused due to engineering issues and the church had to be placed in a temporary location. Eventually the church was fully moved and dedicated once again in 1902. On the day of the church's reopening, a nearby amusement the Flip-Flop Railway was destroyed by strong wind. The wood from this fallen ride was saved by Steeplechase Park founder and owner George C. Tilyou and was given to the church, where is was used to build a small tower and belfry. This dance hall converted into a church survived until 1924 when it was demolished for the construction of a new brick church.