St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church
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Church in 2012
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4th Ave. and 24th St., Watervliet, New York |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1906–1908 |
| Architect | Noack, Bernhardt |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000288 |
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 2004 |
St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is a special old church in Watervliet, New York. It is also known as St. Nicholas Greek Catholic Church. This church is important because it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a historic building worth protecting.
Contents
History of St. Nicholas Church
Early Beginnings in South Troy
In 1897, the first Ukrainian Catholic Church started in South Troy, New York. It was a simple meetinghouse. Soon, more and more Ukrainian families moved to the area. This meant the church needed a much bigger space.
Building a New Church in Watervliet
In January 1900, people officially started the St. Nicholas Greek Catholic Church. They began making plans for a new building. Watervliet was chosen as the best spot. It was central for families in Watervliet, Cohoes, and South Troy.
In 1905, a fundraising effort began. They raised over $4,500 for the project. In February 1906, they bought land and an old building for $1,650. This was at 4th Avenue and 24th Street. The old building was then taken down to make way for the new church.
Construction and Challenges
Bernhardt Noack designed the new church. Construction likely started in late 1906. By May 1907, the main walls were going up. The cornerstone was also placed.
However, by late 1907, the money ran out. Families from Cohoes and South Troy stopped helping. There was also a money problem across the country called the Panic of 1907. The people in Watervliet asked for help. They reached out to Thomas Burke, a Roman Catholic Bishop in Albany. The church was able to get a $20,000 loan. It then became part of the Albany Diocese. The church building was finished in early 1908.
Changes Over the Years
In the late 1940s, the inside of the church was updated. New plaster was added, and new religious pictures were painted. The original roof, made of slate, was replaced with copper. More work happened in the 1950s and 1960s. The basement was made more modern. A large dome in the center of the church was removed. Also, the trim and main steps were replaced.
Recognized as a Historic Place
The church was nominated to be on the National Register of Historic Places. This was because of its important architecture. It was called the "most important building" of the Ukrainian Catholic community in Watervliet. The church was officially added to the National Register on April 15, 2004.
Church Design and Location
Unique Architecture
St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is a large building. It has one main story and a raised basement. The outside is made of light brown bricks. It has limestone details. The church looks very unique because of its Eastern European style. This comes from its special onion-shaped towers. It also has round-arched windows.
Surroundings of the Church
The church is located in a neighborhood with homes. Next to the church is the parish house. This is where the church leaders might live or work. It is also set back from 4th Avenue. The parish house has been changed a lot over time. Because of these changes, it is not considered part of the church's historic importance.
See also
