Where in the world is Corpus Christi?

Where is Corpus Christi really located? The Evangelist decided to investigate; and, although we discovered that there is no Ushers, Corpus Christi Church and its offices are still intact, and the parishioners there are alive and well. They have not disappeared.

But the question remains: Where is the parish actually located?

Where's Ushers?

But if you get in your car and try to drive there, you end up in Clifton Park, Round Lake, Half Moon or Mechanicville. But not Ushers.

When Rev. Edward C. Pratt, pastor, was asked where his parish is, he responded that he refers to his parish as "Clifton Park's other Catholic Church" (St. Edward's parish is also located in Clifton Park).

In search of Ushers

If one travels down that road, a cluster of four or five buildings appears. Tabor, Cary, Ushers and Staniak Roads surround the cluster. Could this place once have been known as Ushers?

It's anybody's guess. Father Pratt thinks that this is the closest one can come to finding what used to be known as the farming community of Ushers.

Zipping around

The exact location of the parish buildings was not an issue until recently when the U.S. Postal Service sent a notice to Corpus Christi, insisting that it must use the zip code for Round Lake, 12151, on all correspondence.

"What was happening," explained the pastor, "is that people were sending mail to Corpus Christi at the zip code for either Clifton Park or in care of Ushers. There is no zip code for Ushers."

Not there either

Father Pratt said that the location causes delivery of church mail to be delayed as many as three days or, in some cases, returned to the sender. Once the Post Office notified the church staff that they were to use the Round Lake zip code, they happily agreed.

"However," Father Pratt added with a chuckle, "the area we're in has always been known as Ushers."

Where's the fire?

Father Pratt said that if there is an emergency at Corpus Christi parish, either of these two fire departments may -- or may not -- respond. Since he is a volunteer fireman, he knows that things can get very interesting when the alarm goes off.

"Basically, which fire department responds depends upon who is notified by the dispatcher when the call comes in," he said. So far, there has been no problem with quick response from either company.

Location, location

Each one, of course, has its own zip code.

Now that it has been confirmed that Corpus Christi parish still exists, how does a person actually get there? According to Helen Marone, faith formation director at the parish, when she gives directions, she always advises people to "take the Northway to exit 10 in Saratoga County. Get off there and take Ushers Road." And when people ask, "Is that in Ushers, Clifton Park or Round Lake?" she never worries that they will get lost. Her directions get them there -- wherever "there" is -- every time.

(06-21-01) [[In-content Ad]]