Diocese offers use of St. Francis of Assisi Church to Elijah Missionary Baptist

Congregation suffering from devastating fire that destroyed their church

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany has invited Bishop Avery Comithier from Elijah Missionary Baptist Church and his congregation to hold their service this Sunday, Nov. 24 in St Francis of Assisi Church on Fourth Avenue in Albany. Their service is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. This church is still being used by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and the Catholic Mass will continue as scheduled that morning.

A fire at Elijah Missionary Baptist Church in Albany’s South End destroyed the church on Nov. 14. This past Sunday, Elijah Missionary Baptist held its service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. 

Efforts will continue to find ways to help Bishop Comithier and his congregation as they continue to recover from the devastating fire at their church. 

“This concerns everyone,” said Bishop Edward Scharfenberger. “These are our neighbors; they are part of our community. Our local churches want to help in whatever way they can.”

Father David Mickiewicz, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, has been in close contact with Bishop Comithier. Both serve as chaplains for the Albany Police Department. The two continue to discuss ways that the Catholic church can help Bishop Comithier and his congregation.

The church, formerly known as Our Lady Help of Christians, was closed by the Roman Catholic Diocese in 2002 due to low enrollment.