Rensselaer parish marks its 150th

Rising above a cluster of homes that have housed railroad and mill workers for generations, the church still stands, marking one of the first Catholic parishes in the Capital District.

As the skyline of the city begins to change with a new multi-million-dollar Amtrak station, the parishioners of St. John's are getting ready to celebrate a very special anniversary. Sesquicentennial

According to Rev. R. Adam Forno, pastor, excitement is running high in the parish, with a lot of events pending for the sesquicentennial celebration.

"When the planning committee initially got together to decide what to do in the way of celebrating, many different ideas surfaced," he told The Evangelist. "In order to celebrate one of the oldest parishes in the diocese, and 150 years of faith and service to the community, they decided to pursue more than one way to celebrate."

For one thing, the parish launched a website, www.churchofstjohn.org, designed by parishioner Martin Mahar. Online visitors can learn about the history of the parish, browse through pictures of the church and school, read about the sacraments, and even register as a parishioner and volunteer for ministry service.

Magnetic place

In September, the parish published an album that includes a bit of history, photos of staff and parishioners, and a complete alphabetical listing of members.

This month, a specially designed Christmas ornament was released for sale. It depicts the unique domed steeple of the church, painted in blue and gold on a white ceramic base. A fund-raising ziti dinner sponsored by the St. Anthony Society helped to raise funds to offset the cost of the ornaments.

Sprucing up

"This was a massive undertaking," said Father Forno. "These pews badly needed to be repaired, but the parish wanted to keep them because they are unique."

The parish raised money for the project in a fund-raiser called "Renew A Pew." Local businesses and individuals supported the effort.

Renewals

The tile was replaced with wooden flooring that now covers the altar steps, the area around the altar and the floor throughout the main section of the church.

A local artisan, Bill Ahern of Troy, refurbished and repainted the statuary in the church, returning them to their original colors. About 30 years ago, all the statues -- Anthony, Mary, the Sacred Heart and Joseph -- had been painted white.

Additionally, the large Stations of the Cross were refreshed with new paint. The original mahogany pulpit remains, but the pedestal was removed and set near the altar of St. Joseph. It now acts as a base for the tabernacle. The mahogany wainscoting along the side walls also remains, providing a dark contrast to the lighter, oak-stained pews. The result is an interior that is brightened with natural light reflected through the original stained glass windows of the church.

Celebrating

* On Nov. 2, an Evening of Remembrance will be held in the newly renovated church. "To celebrate the Feast of All Souls this year, we have decided to include all deceased priests and sisters that have served in the parish throughout the past 150 years," said Father Forno. "In addition, we are including in our remembrance all parishioners who have died, especially those within the past year. We also plan to remember the victims of the recent terrorist attacks and their families."

* On Nov. 11, a gala will be held at Wolfert's Roost in Menands. John Buono, president of Hudson Valley Community College and a graduate of St. John's Academy, will be keynote speaker.

* A jubilee Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard on Nov. 30. According to Father Forno, deanery member parishes -- St. Mary's in Clinton Heights, St. Joseph's in Rensselaer, Holy Spirit in East Greenbush and Sacred Heart in Castleton -- will participate.

The Mass will feature, the pastor said, "a combined choir and a special blessing to commemorate our joy in 150 years of faith and service to the community of Rensselaer."

(For further information on jubilee activities, the Christmas ornament or the parish photo album, call 465-0482. It should be noted that The Evangelist newspaper takes its name from St. John the Evangelist Church; 75 years ago, in 1926, the diocesan paper evolved from a mission publication produced by the parish's pastor.)

(10-25-01) [[In-content Ad]]