St Mary's Parish, in Albany, is the 2nd oldest parish in NYS, founded in 1797. The original Church burned, as did the 2nd Church built at the same site. The 3rd, and current Church, was completed in the 1860's.
Located on Lodge St, in a congested area, there is limited street parking. However, parking is available on weekends directly across the street in the judicial parking lot.
SMC has been on my bucket list ever since a friend, Tiny Tim, mentioned his family are parishioners. On a recent visit, I was thoroughly impressed w pretty much everything... the architecture, stained glass windows, original pipe organ, statues, layout, etc, etc. The footprint is huge. You could probably fit my local Church, also St Mary's, four + times in the Albany structure. The Cantor has a professional-grade voice. The lector, Bernadette, has been doing the readings at the 10:30 Sunday Mass for over 15 years. And she drives from Cobleskill each week, a 45 minute trip (each way) in good weather. The ceiling, which looks painted, is actually a woven tapestry!
I sat upstairs in the balcony. Note that the "kneelers" up there have no cushioning, just solid wood like the old days.
All-in-all, a building that inspires worship and self reflection. I can see why Bernadette makes the trip each week. read more