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 |
The St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is a very old and important church located in Watervliet, New York. It is also known as St. Nicholas Greek Catholic Church. This beautiful building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized for its special history and design.
Contents
Why Was This Church Built?
In 1897, the first Ukrainian Catholic Church started in South Troy, New York. Many Ukrainian families lived in the area. Soon, the community grew too big for the small meetinghouse. They needed a much larger place to gather and worship.
In January 1900, the church officially became "St. Nicholas Greek Catholic Church." Plans began for a brand new building. Watervliet was chosen as the best spot. It was easy for people from Watervliet, Cohoes, and South Troy to reach.
How Was the Church Funded?
Building a new church costs a lot of money. In 1905, the community started a fundraising effort. They managed to collect over $4,500 for the project. This was a lot of money back then!
In February 1906, they bought a piece of land and an old building. It was located at 4th Avenue and 24th Street. The old building was taken down to make space for the new church.
Who Designed the Church?
A talented architect named Bernhardt Noack designed the new St. Nicholas Church. Construction likely started in late 1906. By May 1907, the main walls were going up, and the cornerstone was placed.
However, by late 1907, the money ran out. This was a tough time because of a financial crisis called the Panic of 1907. The church members from Cohoes and South Troy could no longer help. The remaining supporters in Watervliet asked for help.
They reached out to Thomas Burke, who was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Albany. He helped the church get a large loan of $20,000. The church then became part of the Albany Diocese. Finally, construction finished in early 1908.
Changes Over the Years
Over time, the church building had some updates. In the late 1940s, the inside walls were redone. New religious paintings were added. The original roof, made of slate, was replaced with copper.
More work happened in the 1950s and 1960s. The basement was updated. The central dome on the roof was removed. Some of the decorative trim and the main steps were also replaced.
What Makes the Church Special?
The St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is a large building. It has one main story with a raised basement. The outside walls are made of light-colored bricks. These bricks are laid in a special pattern. The building also has stone decorations.
The church looks very unique because of its Eastern European style. It has special towers with rounded tops, called onion domes. The windows are also rounded at the top. These features make it stand out in the neighborhood.
The church is located in an area with many homes. Next to the church is the parish house, where church leaders might live or work. This house is also set back from the street.
Why Is It on the National Register?
The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 15, 2004. It was recognized for its important architectural design. Experts described it as the most important building showing the Ukrainian Catholic community's presence in Watervliet.
See also
Images for kids
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Church in 2012
