On Sunday, June 6, St. Mary's RC Church in Troy celebrated its last Mass and closed its doors forever. Across the river in the City of Watervliet, the RC bishop has closed 5 of their 6 parishes. To compound matters, the remaining church has proved too costly to maintain and the diocese will soon tear it down.
In the midst of this decimation, a beacon of light continues to shine. By the grace of God, the small community at St. Ann's Catholic Church (Maronite Rite), is flourishing. Like the loaves and fishes, our pastor was able to multiply a few dollars and acquire an abandoned Methodist/Episcopal church and rectory (the RC diocese would not sell him one of their closed churches). After 5 years of intensive labor, much of which was done by 5 parishioners, the Maronite bishop 2 months ago, announced that he needed our pastor in a different parish. With 40% to go on the restoration of the old church, we wondered how this would be accomplished. The bishop sent us a new pastor, a deeply spiritual priest who wants to welcome the lost sheep into this church. He is now offering daily Mass and will soon begin Eucharistic Adoration.
The following blog article was written on the day when the two pastors concelebrated Mass. A follow up article will appear in the print edition this week.
Restored windows and exterior masonry
The long vacant Methodist Episcopal Church at 1921 Third Avenue in Watervliet, will soon become the home of Saint Ann Maronite Catholic Church.
The parish, which is currently located at 184 Fourth Street in Troy, acquired the historic church in 2005 for 80,000 dollars. Over the past five years, they have invested over 700,000 dollars in renovating the building and adjacent parish house.
Funding for the rennovation has come from parish donations and a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. The majority of the labor has come from the hands of parishioners.
To date, a new roof has been installed as well as an elevator. The stained glass windows have been restored along with the buildings brick exterior.
Still to come is the installation of the heating and air conditioning, along with the restoration of the interior worship space. “We are trying to keep everything original,” says Organist Douglas Franke.
Franke says that the parish was able to receive items from churches in the area that have recently closed. The solid marble baptismal font for example, came from Saint Joseph’s Church in Cohoes.
The structure, built in 1850, is on the State and National Register of Historic Places.
According to Pastor Elie Kairouz, who will be moving to a new parish in Buffalo, the congregation has simply outgrown their current building. “We have been blessed, God’s hand has touched our parish,” he said.
Parishioner Florence Hayes of Troy, says that they plan to reach out to the Catholic population of Watervliet who have recently had their church closed. “We hope they will come,” she said. “We are looking forward to meeting new people.”
Rev. George Bouchaaya, who will be taking over at Saint Ann, says that they hope to be in their new building sometime this year. “Our new building is a landmark and will once again be a witness to the worship of God.”
For more information about Saint Ann, go to their website at www.sainteann.com
Interior
Phase two is the interior. With very limited resources, we are hoping to complete the work with grant money, but that will take a long time. Meanwhile, whenever Father is outside, passersby ask him "When will the church open?" Father smiles and assures them that it will happen in God's time.
Please pray for the lost sheep in the RC Diocese of Albany and the successful completion of this church. If you find it in your heart to do so, we accept donations, no matter how small, at our web site Donations to St. Ann's
God's blessings on all of you and your families!
