A custodian of the church in the Richmond Hill area of Queens popped out for lunch and when he came back he heard a baby crying but could not see anyone around.
After following the wailing to the front of the church he was presented with a scene reminiscent of the nativity - a newborn boy swaddled in towels, lying in the manger.
New York law allows unwanted babies to be dropped off anonymously at a church, hospital, police or fire station without fear of arrest.
But the Abandoned Infant Protection Act provides that the child must be left with someone, or authorities have to be called.
Because that did not happen in this case, police launched a search to track down the boy's parents.
Detectives are scouring CCTV cameras and knocking on the doors of nearby homes to track down whoever left him at the church.
Surveillance video reportedly shows a woman walking inside the church with a baby in her arms before leaving alone.
The boy was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he weighed-in at 5lb 6oz (2.25kg).
Church pastor Christopher Heanue said: "Let us pray for this child, for his parents, and for whomever will receive him into their home.
"The beautiful thing is that this woman found in this church - which is supposed to be a home for those in need - this home for her child.
"A young couple in our parish would love to adopt this child and keep this gift in our community. It would make a great Christmas miracle."
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