First Congregational Church of Albany facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Congregational Church of Albany |
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East (front) elevation, 2015
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | United Church of Christ, National Association of Congregational Christian Churches |
| Leadership | The Rev. James Eaton |
| Year consecrated | 1919 |
| Location | |
| Location | Albany, NY, US |
 Location in New York
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Fuller & Robinson Company; Charles A. Schade |
| Architectural style | Wren–Gibss Colonial Revival, Modern |
| Groundbreaking | 1917 |
| Completed | 1961 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | East |
| Spire(s) | 1 |
| Materials | Steel, stone, brick, asphalt |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| Added to NRHP | February 14, 2014 |
| NRHP Reference no. | 14000259 |
| Website | |
| First Congregational Church of Albany | |
The First Congregational Church of Albany, also known as The Ray Palmer Memorial, is a historic church building in Albany, New York. It is located on Quail Street in the Woodlawn area. The church is made of brick and built in the Colonial Revival style. It was first built in the 1910s and later expanded in the 1960s. In 2014, it was recognized as an important historical site and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The church congregation started in 1850. Just two years later, it hosted an important meeting called the Albany Convention. This meeting helped the Congregationalism movement grow across the United States. The Rev. Ray Palmer, famous for his hymns, led the church in its early years. At first, the church was in downtown Albany. Later, in the early 1900s, the church moved to follow its members who were moving to new suburban areas.
The Fuller & Robinson Company designed the current church. They followed a classic style inspired by architects Wren and Gibbs. It was the first church in Albany built in the Colonial Revival style, which got a lot of attention. Construction was delayed by World War I. The church was officially dedicated to Ray Palmer in 1919.
The church became a social hub for the new neighborhood. After World War II, a Sunday school wing was added. This new part was finished by the early 1960s. Today, the church is still active and is part of both the United Church of Christ and National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.
Contents
Church Building and Area
The church is located in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Albany. It sits on a large piece of land, almost an acre in size. The area around the church is mostly residential, with many two-story homes. Nearby are also the Albany Medical Center and Sage College of Albany.
The church property includes a paved parking lot. There are also lawns with trees and sidewalks.
Outside the Church
The church building has two stories and is made of brick. It has a steel frame and an asphalt roof. A steeple stands on the east side, and a brick chimney is on the west. A two-story brick addition, the Sunday School wing, extends from the north side.
The main entrance on the east side has wide stone steps. Four large columns stand at the front, holding up a wide section with "First Congregational Church" written on it. Above this is a triangular roof section with a round window.
Behind the columns, there are three entrances on the first floor. Each has double wooden doors with decorative glass above them. The middle entrance has "Ray Palmer Memorial" carved into a stone panel above it. The second floor has windows that are simpler in style.
On the south side of the church, there are large arched windows. The middle window has stained glass.
The Sunday School wing on the north side is also two stories. It has a glass entrance at the corner where it meets the main church. The rest of the wing has bands of windows. On its north side, a brick cross design is built into the wall.
The Steeple
The steeple has four main parts. The first part is a square brick platform. Above this is an eight-sided section with windows. The top part is an eight-sided belfry (where bells are kept) with openings. It is topped by a copper bell-shaped cupola and a pointed decoration.
Inside the Church
When you enter the church, you step into a lobby called the narthex. Stairs lead up to the main worship area, called the sanctuary. In the sanctuary, there are wooden pews (benches) and two aisles. At the front is a large wooden table and a baptismal font. The pulpit (where the minister speaks) is on a raised platform.
Large organ pipes are on either side of the front area. The walls have decorative columns and moldings. The ceiling is mostly flat. On the north wall, special lighting makes up for natural light blocked by the Sunday School wing. The front of the sanctuary has a stained glass window showing Christ in Gethsemane.
Below the sanctuary is the church basement. It has a large meeting room, a cafeteria, and a social room with a small stage.
The north wing, or Sunday School wing, has classrooms and meeting rooms. It also has a small chapel. The halls and rooms have modern finishes.
Church History
The First Congregational Church has used three different buildings throughout its history.
Early Years: 1600s–1850
Congregationalism started in the 1500s in England. Local churches wanted more control over their own matters. Many early Congregationalists, called Puritans, moved to North America. For a long time, most American Congregationalists lived in New England. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, as people moved west, the denomination began to grow in places like upstate New York.
In Albany, it took until 1849 for 13 Congregationalists to buy their first church building. It was a former Presbyterian church. The Rev. Ray Palmer became the church's first pastor in December 1850.
The First Church and Albany Convention: 1850–1866
In October 1852, the church hosted the first major meeting of American Congregationalists in a century. This was called the Albany Convention. Over 460 ministers from 17 states and Canada attended. They discussed important issues, including the church's views on slavery. They also talked about how Congregationalism related to Presbyterianism.
For a while, Congregationalists and Presbyterians had often joined together to form churches. However, differences between them grew. At the Albany Convention, they decided to formally end this agreement. This event is seen as the start of American Congregationalism becoming its own distinct denomination. The convention was a big deal for Albany, bringing attention to the city.
The Second Church: 1866–1917
In 1866, Ray Palmer left the church. Soon after, the church started building its own new home. This new building was made of colorful brick and cost $130,000. It was finished in 1869. This building could hold up to a thousand people.
By the early 1900s, Albany was changing. Many church members were moving to new suburban areas. The downtown area around the church became more commercial. The church found it harder to keep up its building. In 1912, the church considered selling its property.
After some discussions, the church decided to move. In 1916, they sold the downtown property to the city for a new municipal building. The church then looked for a new location. The area around Quail and Maple streets seemed best. The land was affordable, and many members had already moved to the growing Woodlawn neighborhood.
Building the Third Church: 1917–1919
In early 1917, the church bought the land for the current building. They hired the firm of Fuller & Robinson to design it. Albert W. Fuller was a well-known Albany architect.
Fuller's design was new for Albany. It was the city's first church in the Colonial Revival style. This style was popular for government buildings and was often used for Congregational churches in New England. The design reflected the idea that the church was as important as the state.
The design was inspired by churches built by Wren and Gibbs in London. These churches had classical shapes and decorations. They also had tall steeples to be seen from far away. Inside, they had high ceilings and large windows to let in light. Many of these features are in the First Congregational Church.
Construction was delayed when the U.S. entered World War I in April 1917. Building materials became scarce and expensive. The church had to reduce its plans, building only the main church and delaying the Sunday school wing. The last service in the old church was in June 1917.
Construction continued slowly. In November, the cornerstone was laid. By late 1918, after the war ended, services could be held in the new church's basement.
Sunday School Wing and Recent History: 1919–present
The church was officially dedicated in April 1919. It was also named the Ray Palmer Memorial. Many furnishings, like the communion table, were donated. The baptismal font and bell were saved from the old 1866 church. This symbolized the church's new beginning.
The move to Woodlawn was a success. The church became a social center for the growing neighborhood. It sponsored activities like youth groups and a bowling team.
The church continued to grow through the 1930s and 1940s. In 1956, it merged with another church, increasing its members. This growth allowed the church to finally build the Sunday school wing that was part of the original plan.
Charles Argow Schade designed the new wing. He created a modernist design, different from Fuller's original classical plan. Schade kept the red brick but used simpler, more functional elements like window bands.
Groundbreaking for the new wing happened in April 1960. It was finished the next year. Schade also updated the main building's basement, heating, and lighting.
In the early 2000s, church membership declined. In 2011, The Rev. James Eaton became the new pastor. The church continues to be active today.
Beliefs and Governance
First Congregational Church believes that "each worshipper has the freedom to develop their own belief as led by God." Their mission is to show "God's love by setting aside differences through worship, inclusiveness, fellowship and service." They aim to build a "vibrant and vital church in an urban environment to praise God."
All members are encouraged to participate in church leadership. The church holds an annual meeting every May. At this meeting, members are elected to different boards and groups, like the church council. The council meets regularly to coordinate church activities.
Programs and Services
The church holds services every Sunday morning, followed by a coffee gathering. During July and August, they have informal services in the Sunday School wing. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of most months. Everyone is welcome to attend, no matter their background. The church is especially welcoming to gay people.
In the community, the church helps a regional food bank and homeless shelter. It also partners with Cornerstone, a Protestant campus ministry at SUNY Albany. The church also works with First Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
See also
- Architecture of Albany, New York
- History of Albany, New York
- List of Congregational churches
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Albany, New York
- St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (Albany, New York), another Register-listed church that moved from downtown Albany to a suburban neighborhood in the early 20th century.
