Information sought on former church

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"St. Leo's Church remains a mystery to us," says historian Kelly Grimaldi of St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands.

Ms. Grimaldi and Colonie town historian Kevin Franklin have been trying to track down information on the former church, now a private residence on Dunsbach Ferry Road in Cohoes, since learning that a huge mural in the early-20th-century building is still intact, as is some hand-carved woodwork.

"We don't know who designed the church or who painted the mural," Ms. Grimaldi told The Evangelist. "With so much focus on the dismantling of our churches, it might be nice for people to know some have been repurposed with important architectural elements left intact."

Even the Albany diocesan archives have provided few clues about the former church, which became a private home in the 1970s. Ms. Grimaldi and Mr. Franklin did learn that the church's cornerstone was laid in June of 1915, with "information related to the formation of the church and other documents placed in a copper box" inside. The church probably opened by 1916.

The Lavender family, who currently own the building, would like to learn about the architect who designed it and the artist who painted the mural, and hope to sell the artwork. The two historians hope to see the cornerstone opened.

In the meantime, any information about the mysterious building is sought. (Contact Ms. Grimaldi at 463-0134 or [email protected].)[[In-content Ad]]