Troy parish notes 175 years of faith

Names like Shanahan, O'Reilly and Walsh fill the pages of the St. Peter's anniversary book, and its current pastor, Rev. Thomas Flanigan, considers himself fortunate to be among that group as the parish marks its 175th anniversary, making it older than the Albany Diocese itself.

"It's been very enjoyable and fulfilling to be here, where I was brought up," said Father Flanigan, pastor since 1968.

Early times

In October 1828, John Dickenson and several other grantors deeded to the trustees, for the consideration of six cents, a lot at present-day Hutton Street and Fifth Avenue. The deed came with a few stipulations: The lot was to be used for a meeting house for religious worship, and a clock and bell were to be placed upon this building. If these stipulations weren't met, the property was to revert to the original grantors.

Before construction of the new church was completed, Rev. John Shanahan had become pastor; at the time, the only other Catholic churches in New York State were St. Mary's in Albany and St. Peter's in New York City. The first St. Peter's Church building in Troy was completed in 1830, followed six years later by the original parish house.

Historic moments

Stones were thrown, windows broken and guns fired, with three people being shot and seriously wounded, but Father Shanahan convinced the Trojans to end the rioting.

After 15 years as pastor, Father Shanahan was succeeded by Rev. Peter Havermans, who also established the Troy parishes of St. Joseph and St. Francis de Sales, Troy Hospital and St. Mary's Cemetery during his years as pastor. In 1843, Father Havermans saw the need for another church, south of St. Peter's, and its trustees purchased a lot at Washington and Third Streets where St. Mary's Church would be built. He became its pastor while living at St. Peter's, but moved to St. Mary's in 1846 when its rectory was completed.

Rev. Phillip O'Reilly served as pastor from 1846 to 1849. Fire destroyed St. Peter's and construction of a new church began during his term. The project was completed under the next pastor, Rev. John Corry, he was succeeded by Rev. Michael McDonnell, who served until 1855. He established a parish school and raffled personal possessions to get a fund started.

Other pastors who served at St. Peter's include: Rev. Thomas Daley, 1855-58; Rev. Clarence Walworth, 1858-1860; Rev. James Keveny, 1861-1880; Rev. Patrick Ludden, 1880-1887; Rev. John Walsh, 1887-1919; Rev. William Walsh, 1920-1942; Rev. Michael English, 1942-59; Rev. Matthew Brennan, 1960-68; and Rev. Thomas Flanigan, 1968-present.

Growing parish

In 1871, Bishop John J. Conroy divided St. Peter's into two parishes, and St. Patrick's Church was formed.

Father Ludden, the future first bishop of the Syracuse Diocese, built a new St. Peter's School for $30,000; he also installed the high marble altar and purchased most of the stained glass windows in the church. In 1885, the Lyceum was organized as a young men's sodality and became famous for its sports teams, theater and music.

Building faith

In 1896, St. Peter's 10-bell chime was placed in the bell tower; the bells were cast by the Meneely Bell Company of Troy.

For his successor, Father William Walsh, becoming pastor of St. Peter's was a homecoming; he had received first communion and celebrated his first Mass there. The Lyceum was damaged by fire in 1930, but the men of the Holy Name Society made all of the repairs. The St. Vincent de Paul Society was actively bringing relief to needy families.

Father English served as dean of Rensselaer County priests and was elevated to a domestic prelate in 1957. His health was poor for much of his term, but he and Rev. Charles Smith managed to clear the parish debt.

Changes

After Father Brennan left for St. Thomas Church in Delmar, Father Flanigan returned to his hometown and became St. Peter's pastor. Known as "T.K." to hundreds of graduates from Keveny Academy in Cohoes, where he had served as assistant principal, Father Flanigan was pastor of St. Ann's Church in Fort Ann and chaplain of Great Meadow Correctional Facility before coming to St. Peter's.

Father Flanigan has seen the neighborhood around his parish deteriorate, but it seems to be on the upswing in recent years, he said. The parish school and convent were closed during the 1970s; the school is now St. Peter's Residence, a single room occupancy facility, and the convent is used by the Council of Economic Opportunity.

Celebration

"It's encouraging to think there are so many people who are interested in the parish and have come back," he said. "Everybody seemed to have had a good time."

(The 175th anniversary celebration continues Oct. 31 with 12:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, followed by dinner at the Franklin Plaza.)

(10-28-99) [[In-content Ad]]