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The cornerstone of the fire-ravaged Elijah Missionary Baptist Church - the former Our Lady Help of Christians Church of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Albany - was opened on Nov. 24.Elijah Missionary Baptist Church, the former Our Lady Help of Christians, was destroyed by fire on Nov. 14. (Amy Brozio-Andrews photos)

Father Robert Hohenstein, who was pastor for 27 years at Our Lady Help of Christians after spending five years there as assistant pastor, was joined by Father Leo Markert and Bishop Avery Comithier from Elijah Missionary, as well as Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Albany Historical Foundation President Matt Malette, and other curious onlookers as workers from the demolition crew brought the box from the cornerstone to a table in front of the church. The box had newspapers, some coins, photos and a booklet with names of the original congregation when the cornerstone was laid on June 27, 1880. Demolition of the building, which began soon after the fire, continued this week.Father Robert Hohenstein (c.) and Bishop Avery Comithier look over the contents of the box that was in the cornerstone.

The Diocese of Albany has been in close contact with Bishop Comithier since the fire, offering space for service as Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger said, “This concerns everyone. These are our neighbors; they are part of our community. Our local churches want to help in whatever way they can.”Father Robert Hohenstein (from l.), stands with Bishop Avery Comithier and Father Leo Markert.

Since then Elijah Missionary Baptist has held services at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and St. Francis of Assisi, both in Albany. Our Lady Help of Christians was closed by the Roman Catholic Diocese in 2002 due to low enrollment.

Editor's note: The Evangelist would like to thank Amy Brozio-Andrews, diocesan archivist, for taking the photos and videos associated with the story. 

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