Within these Sacred
Walls
By The Very Reverend William H. Pape, Rector
Welcome to the
historic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. People from all over
the world have crossed the threshold beneath the old sandstone portals
of this cathedral church.
From
its lofty pedestal atop Madison Avenue hill overlooking the Hudson
River, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception today stands watch
over the City and Diocese of Albany. The Cathedral's spires have become
a symbol of New York's capital city. For one hundred and fifty years the
Cathedral has served as a beacon of hope, reassuring us of God's
enduring presence in an ever-changing world.
Cathedral beginnings:
The Albany Diocese was erected by Pope Pius IX on 23 April 1847.
Immigrants from Ireland, German principalities, Italy and other European
countries were mostly Catholic. These immigrant people arriving in such
great number stirred the pastoral concern of the Bishop of New York,
John Hughes. His fast growing congregation needed closer shepherding.
The coadjutor bishop of New York, the Rt. Reverend John McCloskey, was
installed as the first bishop of Albany on September 9, 1847.
John McCloskey; Shepherd of Exiles
The majority of Bishop
McCloskey’s immigrant Irish flock came to America from Ireland during
the harrowing Potato Famine. Being poor and uneducated, they became the
object of much ridicule and scorn from the Yankees establishment. The
“Know Nothing Movement” at the time was strong in its attacks on
immigrants, especially Catholics. Bishop McCloskey realized that his
first task was to help Catholics take their rightful place in their new
country. One way for this to be done was by building a great cathedral
of which all could be proud. Bishop McCloskey commissioned a young Irish
architect; Patrick Charles Keely, ( 1816 – 1896) of Brooklyn, New York
to design and build Albany’s cathedral. Keely emigrated to New York in
1842 at age 25.
Dedicated November 21, 1852
Bishop McCloskey of Albany
and Bishop John Hughes of New York laid the cornerstone of the Cathedral
on July 2, 1848 with over ten thousand people watching in the rain.
Bishop McCloskey campaigned throughout the United States and the world
for funds to build this cathedral. The Cathedral was built for
$250,000.
($6,000,000.00 in 2002 dollars).
In just five years the nave and towers
of the Cathedral were built by an immigrant work force, which included
many volunteers. The Cathedral was dedicated by Bishop McCloskey,
Archbishop John Hughes of New York and other major church leaders, on
November 21, 1852.
When the Cathedral doors opened to the public in 1852, the structure was
somewhat different than it looks today. The Cathedral's trademark spires
had not yet risen above the north and south towers. The Cathedral's
western wall stood where the present altar now stands and the Lady
Window was set over the altar. The magnificent ornate plasterwork, faux
stone walls, carved ribs, ceiling bosses, vaulting and statuary dates
from the original construction.
Construction
of the Cathedral Spires
The Cathedral’s
graceful north and south spires were built approximately twenty – five
years apart. The north tower spire was completed in 1862. The
Cathedral’s south tower spire was constructed in 1888.
The Cathedral’s bells were blessed by Bishop
McCloskey on November 16, 1862. They were placed in the north tower and
rang for the first time on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception, December 8, 1862. The bells were cast in West Troy (Watervliet),
New York in the legendary Meneely Bell Foundry.
The historic clock in the north tower, originally kept time in the First
Church in Albany Reformed on North Pearl Street. The clock was made in
1801 by John Thwaite of Clerkwell, England. It was removed from the
First Church when its two steeples were remodeled in the 1850s.
Later additions:
Between 1891 and 1892, during the reign of Bishop Francis McNierney,
the apse and adjoining sacristies were were added, completing the
Cathedral structure. On November 16, 1902 marking the fiftieth
anniversary of its dedication, the Cathedral was consecrated by Bishop
Thomas M. A. Burke.
The
Cathedral through the 20th Century
Throughout the twentieth century until
the mid 1960s, the Cathedral served as a parish church to some 3,000
households. The Cathedral served as the parish church to Governor Alfred
E. Smith. His daughter Catherine was married here in 1928. The Cathedral
has witnessed many historic events: the consecration of bishops, the
ordination of priests, deacons, the visits of Cardinals, the visit of
the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Michael Ramsey.
In the mid 1960s the construction of the Empire State Plaza reduced the
parish congregation to about three hundred households, threatening the
very existence of the Cathedral itself. Due to the vision and foresight
of Albany’s seventh bishop, The Most Reverened William A. Scully and
Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, the Cathedral was not razed. The Most
Reverend Edwin B. Broderick, the eighth Bishop of Albany was the first
to propose a major restoration of the Cathedral. In 1977 the Rev. Howard
J. Hubbard became the ninth Bishop of Albany. Bishop Hubbard was the
first native of the Albany Diocese to become Bishop of Albany.
Portal
In 1986 the Cathedral became the site of the first ever service of
forgiveness between Christians and Jews on Palm Sunday 1986. This event
is commemorated by the sculpture "Portal" which is located outside the
Cathedral just west of the sanctuary.
Restoration & Renewal
In 1999 Bishop Howard Hubbard
launched a major program of “Restoration and Renewal” to address long
needed repairs and enhancements to both exterior and interior. The
Cathedral’s exterior stone in certain areas had deteriorated posing a
serious threat to public safety. The entire 210 foot north tower was
re-clad in new St. Bees Red Sandstone imported from England. New stone
was also placed on the east, west and south clerestories and a lead roof
was installed to ensure the watertight integrity of the structure. The
project was completed in 2004.
The spacious and majestic interior of the Cathedral will be renewed to enhance its inherent artistic beauty. Enhancements will include plaster repair, restoration of the historic Keely paint scheme, improved seating, better lighting, new electrical systems and relocation of the altar platform extending further into the nave. While respecting the sacred heritage of the past, the Cathedral’s interior worship space will be renovated to bring a new vitality to the Cathedral as Diocesan Mother Church, civic landmark and artistic treasure.