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St.
James Church - A Historical Perspective At the age of 91, St. James Parish rejoices in its past and walks sure footed into its future. With the impetus of local residents of rural Delaware Avenue, the parish was born at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and St. James Place (previously called Revere Place) in 1911. St. James has been immersed in dramatic demographic changes in the City of Albany which are so common to urban development throughout the United States. Its parishioners have:
In 1911, the elder James Warren father of well known parishioners, James (deceased), Helen and Mary Warren (deceased), traveled about the area on horse and carriage gathering names on a petition to be sent to the Diocese. This petition stimulated interest in forming a parish as far away as people living along the Normanskill Creek. The parish roots sprouting in 1911, grew and grabbed hold in firm footings in an area where many German, Irish and Italian people had emigrated from the South End. Members of the parish sacrificed and shared their time, talents and treasure over the next 86 years to make St. James prosper andbecome a vibrant spiritual and community force in the City. A succession of seven pastors served over the years:
Birth
and Adolescence of St. James Parish: 1911 Over 100 people signed a petition to establish a parish closer than Our Lady Help of Christians on lower Second Avenue. With the sanction of Bishop Burke, a few acres of farm land between Delaware Avenue and St. James Place (originally Revere Street) was purchased from Jacob Stein. And so, in this predominantly rural hill section of Delaware Avenue, St. James parish was established with 356 people mainly German, Irish and Italian who moved from the South End. 1913 A modest one story red brick chapel with a deep basement was constructed when Father Patrick Scully was named as first pastor. St. James became the 16th. parish in the City of Albany. "The first mass at St. James was said on the last Sunday of October, 1913, in a building that would become the latter-day parish hall." (O Albany by William Kennedy, p.89) The brick rectory was constructed at this time. In March 1913 one of Albany's most damaging floods, 20 feet above sea level rushed along the streets of Albany's waterfront and south end. 1917 The annual income for the parish was recorded at $10,690; Coal costing $446 and insurance $6.25. 1923 Father Edward Riley, second pastor, had the old church actually moved several feet toward Summit Avenue and added a second story with the top floor housing three classrooms. A new foundation was laid; both a new annex and a new front entrance were constructed. So in the roaring 20's, prohibition reigned, the Radio played a prominent place in the daily routines first with battery run crystals with earphones, the stock market crash of 1929 known as the Great Depression, the trolley car strike of 1921, Charles Lindbergh flew solo across the Atlantic in June 1927 and made a visit to Albany, unemployment reached 25% of workers in Albany in November, 1930. A time of testing the nation and the people of Albany. 1926 The parish school began with first three grades on the second floor. Close to 100 children registered. The church on the first floor provided the site for worship and was visited by Brother Andre of Montreal once a year (declared as Blessed). Because there were no traffic signals at that time, the firemen in the firehouse across the street took complete charge of traffic and crossing of youngsters four times a day. (In the 1920's annual picnics supplemented the mass offerings to finance the parish) On September 7, a spacious private house adjoining the church at the back on a quiet tree-lined street was opened as the convent at St. James. Three Sisters of St. Joseph took up residence at 58 Summit Avenue. St. James Matures Through Adulthood With Facilities Provided By Its People 1927 On June 26th, Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons laid the foundation for the new church. 1929 The present site of the church included a small pond which was a favorite play area. When it flooded and froze in winter, the children and neighbors had a fine skating rink. At the same time, Mr. Marinello was building a series of two family houses on both sides of Summit Avenue. Also the name Revere Street was changed to St. James Place. The new church was completed with seating capacity of 750. Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons dedicated it on May 12, 1929. Father Edward Riley led the drive and construction program. The church is Gothic style, Tennessee marble and Indiana limestone, harmonious, with exquisite detail including hand carved back wall and pulpit and two gorgeous stained glass windows (the rose window above the sanctuary and the Ascension window above the choir loft in the rear of the church). The main altar is flanked by wood carvings of St. Joan of Arc and St. Michael the Archangel. The church has been acclaimed by some as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture on the Eastern Seaboard. "The exquisite detailed work portrays a harmony that includes the arcade, the ends of the rows, the rear screen supporting the choir, the reredos of the altars and even the sculptures." A simple organ costing $30,000 was included, later replaced with the beautiful pipe organ at a cost of $500,000 now housed in the church. The architects were Maginnis & Walsh of Boston and the Rose Window and Choir Window were designed by Mr. Connick of Boston who became famous for the color "blue" known as "Connick Blue" 1930 The debt stood at $447,000 reflecting part of the cost of the construction. This was a substantial burden that had to be settled before considering a School building program. A debt of $447,000 in today's dollars is equivalent of a $5.0 million debt in 1997. 1932 The first graduation class from St. James. Enrollment had ranged between 340 and 350. 1934 On Father Riley's death, Father Joseph Dunney became pastor. The parish had 1012 families, 335 pupils and 8 Sisters of St. Joseph. The annual operating budget was $24,721. The Sisters of St. Joseph were stationed in the school in 1926 and have continued their service both in the school and in active ministries for the next 70 years. Father Dunney was founder and first editor of the Evangelist in 1926 and a former Superintendent of Diocesan Schools. 1939 The debt was $372,000. The annual operating budget was $64,176. 1945 In recognition of the dozens of parishioners who served in the second World War, the service windows in the main part of the Church were dedicated. Some 900 people contributed to the cost of purchase and erection of the stained glass windows. 1949 The debt had been reduced to $175,000, a formidable obligation. 1953 Monsignor J. Norbert Kelly became pastor and began planning for a new school. The garages were purchased out of parish funds. Exterior stonework to the Church cost $300,000. The organ was repaired at a cost of $46,000. 1955 The debt was cancelled out. The annual operating budget was $133,690. 1958 The present school building was constructed at a cost in excess of $522,353 or $17.65 per sq.ft. It was blessed in April 1958. General construction cost was $361,739, plumbing and heating $109,995, Electrical $50,611. On the first day of the campaign, March of 1956, $350,000 was secured in cash and pledges. 1530 people made pledges to fund the new school. Monsignor Kelly was pastor. Parish campaign leaders were James Warren and John Varden supported by 469 workers. The old school had been converted from the building that housed the church which was now overcrowded and outmoded. Many parishioners remember the principals of the School:
1958 Various repairs to the buildings cost $158,000 and an additional 4 classrooms were added to the School. 1950's and 1960's Father Dunney obtained parish support to install the beautiful stained glass windows in the higher level of the church as well as the Western Hemisphere windows near Our Lady's altar. 1969 The interior of the church was completely restored and painted. 1970 Father Anthony Sidoti was appointed pastor of St. James 1971 The debt was paid off. The parish had savings of $186,000. 1972 The assessed values of properties at that time were estimated at $1.8 million including: Church $972,000 Rectory $101,000 Convent $45,000 School $511,000 Parish Hall $246,000 Garages $21,000 1974 The Gym/Auditorium was dedicated costing $340,000. A loan was taken for $175,000 and parish savings of $120,000 in the bank and other funds in the Diocesan Finance Account were used. It was about this time that Father Sidoti established the School Board and the Home School Association. The first church and school building was demolished when the gym/auditorium was constructed. 1979 Sister William Francis Lane wrote a history of the parish; this source was used for the bulk of the information on this webpage. 1986 The parish engaged in a Preservation Restoration Campaign to raise $500,000 of which $407,000 was for the Church. The theme was 'Preserving A Proud Tradition". The annual operating budget was $241,930. At an age of 86, the parish can claim the rights and privileges of being a Senior Citizen, In fact, the parish is young at heart and ministers to many young families, young adults and children as well as those of us who are of retirement years. 1990 Father Dominic Ingemie was appointed pastor. He has concentrated both energies and resources on developing the ministries and involvement of parishioners. Presently there are # families registered in the parish with # of people. 1996 The following table indicates the extent of commitment of the people of the parish in helping each other and all others in some need.
New initiatives were launched and others expanded including: FAITH FORMATION CHRISTIAN SERVICE PRAYER AND WORSHIP Christian Initiation Visitors To Nursing Homes Greeters Children's Liturgy Visitors To Homebound Lectors Baptism Preparation Visitors To Homes Eucharistic Ministers Marriage Preparation Transportation Help Contemporary Music Scripture Study Group Food Pantry Children's Choir Youth Ministry Support Group For Care Givers Funeral Choir Singles Support Group Support Group For Grieving Hospitality Group Jail Ministry Family Liturgy Funeral Liturgy Group Welcoming Committee Father Ingemie has enlisted the full time services of three Sisters of St. Joseph to provide the leadership coordination and energies to make parish programs stand out in the City of Albany and beyond. The Sisters
are: The Sisters of St. Joseph have been a main stay in the Parish for all 86 years of its history. In 1934 for example, there were 8 Sisters stationed at St. James (And at hardly any cost to the Parish by the way. History proved that the Sisters needed reasonalble stipends and benefit to compensate the Order which carries responsibilities for the physical well being of its Sisters. Note: that past practice of non compensation led to the shortfall in retirement financing for the Sisters). 1997 According to our insurance company, the following are the replacement values of our buildings:
The offertory collections and other fund raising efforts have helped dramatically to finance annual operations. But they have not been sufficient to keep pace with the unbudgeted maintenance and repair costs over the last seven years nor have they bee adequate to finance the program initiatives that benefit all parishioners. Operating expenses in 1990-91 totaled $516,800 reduced to $465,965 in 1995-96. The offertory collection in 1990-91 totaled $318,600 raised to $388,000 in 1995-96. The pastor and staff, principally Sister Kate Arseneau and Mr. Richard Gibson, have reduced the parish debt the last few years from $295,000 to $100,000. We like to think that the parish has expanded its programmatic efforts dramatically since 1990, while keeping a check on unnecessary expenses and reducing the debt, so that the parish is poised to mount a capital fund drive to finance much needed major rehab and repairs of the buildings valued at $11 million in replacement costs. Interesting comparisons: ITEM OF INTEREST 1947 1997 McDonald's Hamburger $.14 $.59 First Class Stamp $.03 $.32 Gallon of Gas $.23 $1.39 St. James Income $94,000 $497,000 Salaries $7,600 $294,453 Debt $447,000 $100,000 Insurance Costs $2,543 $73,600 |
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