The first church for Winklers in Schenectady
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The below is taken from a church publication dated April 2003. January 23, 1859, about 75 laymen met in Gottfried Blum’s marble shop next to the Columbian Hotel (what is now the northwest corner of Union and Barrett Streets). This meeting, as well as the ones that followed, resulted in the official organization of St. Joseph’s Church in April 1862. At first, these German Catholics agreed to name the church after Saint Peter. Membership collections started after a meeting in Julius Meyer’s mold shop on Fonda Street (now North Jay Street). |
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In February 1857, the group selected the site of their church. They paid $100 towards the purchase price for a plot of land above Crescent Park between Albany Street and the old Albany Turnpike. Henry Ramsey agreed to sell them the land for $2,000 to be paid within five years. This desirable site was lost within two years due to disagreements over how large a structure should be built and a lack of funds. The first St. Joseph’s Church was dedicated June 27, 1862. Joseph Harrecker, a Bavarian, donated an old frame building on North Center Street at Franklin Street. A new alter was built for $300. Rev. Oderick Vogl was the first pastor. In the 1860’s, St. Joseph’s third pastor, Rev. Pius Kotterer, recognized the need for a new structure. The parish had tripled in size. On the advice of Friars Minor Conventual (the Franciscan Fathers), Father Kotterer negotiated the purchase of the southeast corner of State and Lafayette Streets. The owner, John McEnroe, agreed to a $3,750 selling price. Father Kotterer then sold it back to the parish for $1,900. The cornerstone was laid July 29, 1877. The architect was M. J. Cummings of Troy, NY and the builder was Jacob Van Zandt of Schenectady. The bricks for the church came from Sweet and Johnson brick yard at 59 Lafayette Street, the cut stone from a Utica, NY quarry, and the block stone from Schenectady’s aqueduct quarry. The doors opened Sunday, March 3, 1878. The church occupies 127 by 51 feet of ground space. The main tower is 183 feet tall with an iron cross. Total cost was $7,286 with an additional $14,000 spent on furnishings. In early 1884, the church placed an order with Meneeley Bell Company of Troy for three bells. Total cost of $1,105. The bells were delivered on October 17 that same year. The bells first rang on the eve of All Saints Day, October 31, 1884.
The church has many statues and stained glass windows. Click here for the full church program. It is a large document and may take some time to load. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A review of church records has reveal the 1916 census records for some Winklers. It contains some great information: dates of birth, baptisms, and weddings. Click on the names below to see the census. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Below is a picture of the St. Joseph's Boys Choir. Can you find the Winkler?
Click here for the answer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------Men from the St. Joseph's Parish organized the St. Francis Commandery No. 100, Knights of St. John on February 3, 1903. The St. Elizabeth's Auxiliary No. 93 is associated with the Knight's of St. John and was organized by Josephine Hermans of Albany. The Auxiliary was granted its charter on August 8, 1907. Below is a picture of the Auxiliary Drill Team from 1951.
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