Sagrada Família Schools the commission of the Devout of San José which was presided over by Josep Maria Bocabella, founder of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. Its principal promoter was Gil Parés, the first parish priest of the Sagrada Familia, who was the school's principal until 1930. At first he followed the pedagogic method of Andrés Manjón, founder of the school of Ave Maria de Granada, but from 1915 on he applied the Montessori method. The schools were inaugurated on November 15, 1909 by the bishop of Barcelona, Juan José Laguarda y Fenollera. It was originally located on ground destined to face
Church of the Incarnation, Episcopal (Manhattan) 20, 1865. The church rectory was constructed in 1868-69, designed by Robert Mook. Except for its tower and walls, the building was destroyed by a fire which began on March 24, 1882. It was rebuilt and enlarged by David Jardine, with a spire added in 1896 by Heins and LaFarge following Jardine's designs. In 1905-06 the church rectory was rebuilt and received a new facade in neo-Jacobean style designed by Edward P. Casey. It is now the H. Percy Silver Parish House. The building was designated a New York City landmark in 1979, and was added to the National Register