| Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Cathedral_of_the_Immaculate_Conception_Panorama_1.jpg) East elevation and north profile, 2011 | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:USA_New_York_location_map.svg)  Location within New York | |
| 42°38′51″N 73°45′35″W / 42.64750°N 73.75972°W | |
| Location | 125 Eagle St. Albany, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Founded | 1847 |
| Consecrated | 1902[1] |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | NRHP #76001203 |
| Designated | June 8, 1976[2] |
| Architect(s) | Patrick Keely[3] |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1848[3] |
| Completed | 1852[3] |
| Construction cost | $250,000[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 2,500[4] |
| Length | 195 feet (59 m)[4] |
| Width | 95 feet (29 m)[4] |
| Number of spires | Two |
| Spire height | 210 feet (64 m)[4] |
| Materials | brick, sandstone, plaster |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Albany |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Most Rev. Edward Scharfenberger |
| Rector | Very Rev. David Wm. Mickiewicz |
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic church near the Mansion District in Albany, New York, United States. Built in the period of the 1848-1852, it is the mother church of the Diocese of Albany. In 1976 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It has several claims to architectural and ecclesiastical history. Designed by Irish American architect Patrick Keely to accommodate Albany's growing population of Catholic immigrants, it is the second-oldest cathedral in the state, after St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. It is also the third oldest Catholic cathedral in the United States, and the first American Catholic cathedral in the Neo-Gothic architectural style.[5][6]
The interior features the original stained glass windows, imported from England, and award-winning Stations of the Cross statuary. When completed, it was the tallest building in Albany. It has hosted visits by cardinals and leaders of other faiths, including one Archbishop of Canterbury, and the weddings of two Catholic governors' daughters. In 1986, it hosted the first-ever service of forgiveness between Catholics and Jews on Palm Sunday, an event commemorated by a sculpture outside the building.
Construction of the cathedral, at the behest of the diocese's first bishop, John McCloskey, took four years. Its south tower took 40, and it was not consecrated until its 50th anniversary in 1902. The construction of Empire State Plaza, the nearby New York state government complex, threatened the cathedral in the 1960s when it required the demolition of most of the surrounding neighborhood. It has been through several renovations in its history, including a $30 million restoration early in the 21st century.
- ^ a b Pape, The Rev. William F. (2012). "Within these Sacred Walls". Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ a b c Ralph, Elizabeth K. (1976-06-08). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception". Archived from the original on 2011-12-10. Retrieved July 30, 2011. See also: Accompanying seven photos, exterior and interior, 1976 Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d Howell, George Rogers; Tenney, Roger (1886). Bi-centennial History of Albany: History of the County of Albany, N.Y., from 1609 to 1886. Vol. 2. W. W. Munsell & Company. p. 754. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
- ^ Hubbard, Howard (2012). "Built of Living Stones—Your Cathedral Today". Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2012.. See embedded audio file, 0:20–0:24.
- ^ "Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception". Fodor's. Retrieved November 17, 2012.