Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (1852)

For my first entry, I figured i'd start at home base. It's the seat of the Bishop, its where priests and deacons are ordained, its the last parish that would ever be closed (theoretically), it's the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the corner of Eagle St and Madison Avenue.

(NB-I don't know when this postcard is from, but by the Automobile design, i'm guessing 1930's-40's)

BRIEF HISTORY:


Built between 1848 and 1852, Immaculate Conception is the oldest neo-Gothic cathedral in the United States. The cathedral contract was given to a young church architect named Patrick Charles Keeley by Bishop (later Cardinal) John McCloskey. This was one of Keeley's first constructions and one of at least 3 in the diocese (the others being St. Joseph's in Albany and St. Bernard's in Cohoes-both now closed) as well of dozens of churches and cathedrals across the Northeast and Midwestern United States. Towers and spires were added in the 1860's and 1880's, with the aspe and sacristies being built onto the front of the church in the early 1890's to complete the current structure (visit http://www.restorethecathedral.org/ go to multimedia and video for an excellent video on the Cathedral)

STRUCTURE:

When I was younger, When I thought of cathedrals, it reminded me of what I saw on TV (St. Patrick's in NYC, Notre Dame in Paris, St. Peters in Rome, The Crystal Cathedral) and these big edifices to the Almighty always struck power, awe, and wonder in me. About seven years ago, I entered Immaculate Conception for the first time...and let say I was extremely disappointed. The pastor of my home parish asked me to go with him and the staff to the Chrism mass (where the Bishop blesses the sacred oils for the year, to be distributed to the parishes in the diocese) and I was all excited! I entered the old sandstone church and my heart sank. I cant remember exactly my words were but I know it contained: "ugly"  and "creepy". It was very dark, not well lit and the pews were very uncomfortable (built for the small Irish immigrants, not big boy's like me.)

Beginning in 1999, the diocese began to renovate the exterior. The first project had the North tower, celestories, and Main Portal completely rebuilt with new red sandstone from England (and cut onsite at the Cathedral stone works) and a new lead roof installed. If you look closely at the picture below, you can see the black meshing over the South tower protecting the stone so it does not fall off and hurt pedestrians (that side has not been completed, due to lack of funds). You can also see the different colors between the North clock tower (the rebuilt one), and the remainder of the Cathedral.

From the Cathedral website: www.cathedralic.org

In 2009-10, they closed the Cathedral for months ( and moved their liturgies to the proto-Cathedral, St. James on Delaware Avenue) and completely gutted and renovated the interior. They painted the faux-stone walls a similar paint scheme from the 1890's (which brightened it up), did some upgrades on the electrical and sound systems, and moved the sanctuary farther out into the crossing. My friends Jay and Michael were the first group to use the Cathedral post-renovation for their ordination to the Diaconate. Here are some pictures of the renovated Cathedral:

Sanctuary from the center isle

Main Altar-The original high altar was removed in the 1970's and a wooden table on wheels was used for many years. Then a wooden "permanent" altar was constructed until the renovation when this square marble and brass was made out of pieces of the old high altar.

The Cathedra (Bishops Throne). This is what makes a church a cathedral. It's a symbol of the teaching authority of a bishop in his diocese. This particular cathedra was given to the sixth Bishop of Albany, the Most Reverend Edmund F. Gibbons by the priests of the diocese (that's his coat of arms on the back of the chair). It was then placed in the chapel at Mater Christi Minor Seminary on New Scotland Avenue where Bishop Gibbons resided prior to his death. It was later moved to the Cathedral and is currently being used by the present bishop, the Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard

The Ambo

Baptismal Font

Blessed Sacrament Altar

Original cornerstone

View facing outwards from the Sanctuary (note the missing Organ in the loft...if anyone has an extra 600k lying around, i'm sure the Cathedral would love to have it!)

COMMUNITY:

The Cathedral parish community is nestled in the Mansion neighborhood in the South End of Albany. Built on the backs of the immigrant community, Cathedral always had a consistently large number of parishioners until the 1960's when its community was largely displaced by the construction of the South Mall/Empire State Plaza project. When I was there today for the 11am mass, the church was not full, maybe half (with no one standing in the back). It really is a shame because the liturgy was very joyful and the music was some of the best I have heard in a long time (with the appropriate mixture of song, chant and even Latin!). The people there were welcoming and made me feel right at home

EDUCATION:


The parish at one time had both a grammar and a high school. I am not sure when the grammar school closed down but the High School was merged in the 1950's with the neighboring south end catholic high schools to form Cardinal McCloskey. Cathedral does offer religious education for children and teens, as well as other faith education programs. They also have a parish outreach program.

OVERALL:


The renovation has returned the Cathedral to the glory deserving of a Mother Church. It is one I would suggest every Catholic to visit, as it is the mother church for the Diocese of Albany. While you're there, say a little prayer to the Blessed Mother for this lowly wanderer, as I move on to my next church. Until we meet again:

Keep on Walking!

Old High Altar (www.restorethecathedral.org)

RECAP:

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany

Church Dedication: 1852 by Archbishop John Hughes of New York
Architect: Patrick Charles Keeley
Style: Neo-Gothic

Additions: (1862-North Tower, 1888-South Tower, 1892-Apse and Sacristies
Pastor: Very Rev. William H. Pape