Rod and I just sent an email to the executive director of Historic Albany Foundation asking permission to have our wedding on July 3rd 2012 at the former church they are trying to save-St. Joseph's located in Arbor Hill in Albany.
"St. Joseph's was Albany's third Catholic parish, founded to serve the
Irish population associated with the construction of the Erie Canal.
This building was designed by Patrick Keely of Brooklyn, one of the
most prolific nineteenth-century architects in the United States, and
was completed in 1860. For over one hundred years, it served a thriving
congregation in the Arbor Hill neighborhood."
"As the population of Arbor Hill changed, so too did St. Joseph's
parish. As a result, the local Catholic population dwindled to numbers
unable to sustain the church. It was sold to an individual in 1981 and
leased back to the parish.
In 1993 the church held its last service and was sold to a private
owner, eventually becoming the property of the City of
Albany. By the end of that transitional decade, the church
building had deteriorated considerably and faced demolition."
"The charm of St. Joseph's and the Ten Broeck neighborhood provides the
downtown revitalization plan with a unique opportunity to solicit
creative development concepts for any number of potential business
uses. It is a significant architectural gem with quality features and
in a beautiful downtown location."
Because they are raising money to make improvements on the church we are offering to use our wedding as a fundraiser for this beautiful building that we were introduced to at a couple art events that have taken place there. We want to do awesome things with lighting and have a beautiful ceremony and reception here.
So here's hoping we receive an interested response from them.
