.gif)
St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Albany, New York)
Encyclopedia
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, also known as St. Peter's Church, in Albany, New York
, is a church built in 1859 that was designed by Richard Upjohn
and his son Richard M. Upjohn
. The architecture is French-style decorated Gothic
.
The building was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1980. It is also a contributing property
to the Downtown Albany Historic District
.
In 1980, the church included an important stained glass window by Weaver and a silver communion
service set given to the church by Queen Anne
in 1715.
gave the Anglican community in Albany the right to build a church and granted them land east of Fort Frederick, in the middle of Yonkers Street (today State Street). After many years of conflict in which the city council was dominated by those of the Dutch Reformed faith who attempted to stop construction of the church, Saint Peters was eventually built 1715-17, being opened to the public on November 25, 1717 by Reverend Thomas Barclay. It was the first Anglican church in New York west of the Hudson River, and the first Anglican church north of the city of New York. The first St. Peter's was located in the middle of State Street at the intersection of Chapel Street and it measured 43 by 58 feet.
On March 1, 1731 the church was damaged by a fire. It was repaired but in July 1802 it was torn down and a church designed by architect Philip Hooker
was its replacement at the corner of State and Lodge streets, cornerstone laid May 7, 1802; this second church was finished in 1803. That second church was demolished in 1859.
The third, and current, church was built in 1860. The remains of Lord Howe
are interred under the vestibule
; he is the only British Lord buried in the United States. In 1868 the newly formed Episcopal Diocese of Albany
met in convention at St. Peter's to choose a bishop and William Doane, rector of St. Peter's, was chosen on December 3, he was consecrated as such on February 2, 1869 in St. Peter's. The current rector is Paul Hartt..
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, is a church built in 1859 that was designed by Richard Upjohn
Richard Upjohn
Richard Upjohn was an English-born architect who emigrated to the United States and became most famous for his Gothic Revival churches. He was partially responsible for launching the movement to such popularity in the United States. Upjohn also did extensive work in and helped to popularize the...
and his son Richard M. Upjohn
Richard M. Upjohn
Richard Michell Upjohn, FAIA, was an influential American architect, co-founder and president of the American Institute of Architects.-Early life and career:...
. The architecture is French-style decorated Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
.
The building was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1980. It is also a contributing property
Contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing resource or contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district, listed locally or federally, significant...
to the Downtown Albany Historic District
Downtown Albany Historic District
The Downtown Albany Historic District is a 19-block, area of Albany, New York, United States, centered around the junction of State and North and South Pearl streets . It is the oldest settled area of the city, originally planned and settled in the 17th century, and the nucleus of its later...
.
In 1980, the church included an important stained glass window by Weaver and a silver communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
service set given to the church by Queen Anne
Anne of Great Britain
Anne ascended the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Act of Union, two of her realms, England and Scotland, were united as a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.Anne's Catholic father, James II and VII, was deposed during the...
in 1715.
History
The history of the church goes back to 1704, when Queen Anne founded a "chapel of the Onondagas" to bring missionaries. Queen AnneAnne of Great Britain
Anne ascended the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Act of Union, two of her realms, England and Scotland, were united as a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.Anne's Catholic father, James II and VII, was deposed during the...
gave the Anglican community in Albany the right to build a church and granted them land east of Fort Frederick, in the middle of Yonkers Street (today State Street). After many years of conflict in which the city council was dominated by those of the Dutch Reformed faith who attempted to stop construction of the church, Saint Peters was eventually built 1715-17, being opened to the public on November 25, 1717 by Reverend Thomas Barclay. It was the first Anglican church in New York west of the Hudson River, and the first Anglican church north of the city of New York. The first St. Peter's was located in the middle of State Street at the intersection of Chapel Street and it measured 43 by 58 feet.
On March 1, 1731 the church was damaged by a fire. It was repaired but in July 1802 it was torn down and a church designed by architect Philip Hooker
Philip Hooker
Philip Hooker was at one time the leading architect of New York State outside of New York City. He designed Hyde Hall, the facade of the Hamilton College Chapel, The Albany Academy, Albany City Hall, Hart-Cluett Mansion and the original New York State Capitol building. He is believed to have...
was its replacement at the corner of State and Lodge streets, cornerstone laid May 7, 1802; this second church was finished in 1803. That second church was demolished in 1859.
The third, and current, church was built in 1860. The remains of Lord Howe
George Howe, 3rd Viscount Howe
George Augustus Howe, 3rd Viscount Howe was a career officer and a Brigadier General in the British Army. He was described by James Wolfe as "the best officer in the British Army"...
are interred under the vestibule
Vestibule (architecture)
A vestibule is a lobby, entrance hall, or passage between the entrance and the interior of a building.The same term can apply to structures in modern or ancient roman architecture. In modern architecture vestibule typically refers to a small room or hall between an entrance and the interior of...
; he is the only British Lord buried in the United States. In 1868 the newly formed Episcopal Diocese of Albany
Episcopal Diocese of Albany
The Episcopal Diocese of Albany is part of Province 2 of the Episcopal Church.-History:The Church of Englandarrived in 1674 with a chaplain assigned to the British military garrison at Albany, New York. In 1704 the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel sent two missionaries to the Mohawk...
met in convention at St. Peter's to choose a bishop and William Doane, rector of St. Peter's, was chosen on December 3, he was consecrated as such on February 2, 1869 in St. Peter's. The current rector is Paul Hartt..