Hudson Falls parish sports new look -- and new sounds

Five years and a lot of money were required to make the dream a reality.

Parishioners recently gathered to hear the long-anticipated sounds emanate from the historic organ, which was built during the Depression.

Features

* a state-of-the-art console and digital division that was named the LaFarr/Cosgrove Memorial Organ in honor of Ray LaFarr, organist at St. Mary's for nearly 30 years, and Naomi Cosgrove, organist at St. Paul's Church for almost 40 years;

* an antiphonal division, installed in the front gallery of the church and named in honor of Betty Hogan, a long-time benefactor;

* the new Golden Jubilee carillon, a gift from parishioners that marks the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year of 2000; and

* the great pipe division, a gift from benefactor, Veronica Clute.

Pipe dreams

"The new sound is clear and very pure," said Elaine Altizio, the current organist who is the daughter of Mrs. Cosgrove. "We've been waiting a long time for this organ to be restored."

The parish had been trying to raise enough money to restore the organ since it broke down in the 1990s. Three years of memorial gifts went into the fund. Recently, several benefactors completed the fund-raising efforts.

Complex instrument

"It's so sophisticated," she said, adding that she cried when she first saw it. "It is such a beautiful organ, and the sound is wonderful! I never thought I'd be playing such a magnificent organ."

In addition to the organ, the interior of the church has been given a fresh facelift. Lighting has been increased, statues have been cleaned and repainted, the stained glass windows were repaired, and a new credence table (the small table that holds the gifts for the Offertory) has been fashioned from some of the old, replaced pews.

"This church has been called 'the mother church of the North Country' because it was the first Catholic Church to be built between Montreal and Albany," Father Lonergan said. "With the renovation and the new organ, we have a facility that meets the needs of our parish. It is something we're all very proud of."

(09-05-02) [[In-content Ad]]