Second Avenue Church that burned down hides a secret

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — There are new developments in the catastrophic fire that destroyed a historical church in Albany’s South End. NEWS10 spoke with the Albany County Historian and a woman who is closely linked to the church. She shares more on some secrets and treasures that are coming out of the woodwork since last Thursday’s blaze.

The Elijah Missionary Baptist Church on Second Avenue has been a church since 1880, getting its start as the first German Catholic Church to hit the Albany skyline. “I’m not quite sure what year it [photo] was taken but you can see a lot of the side altar,” said Our Lady of Help Christian Church member, Ann Moot.

Ann welcomed our news crew into her house to show them some of the beloved pictures she has of the church telling NEWS10’S Reporter, James De La Fuente, of the beholden memories they carry. “Our Lady of Help Christian Church, and my grandfather’s family was there prior to my grandmother, because my grandmother was direct from Germany,” said Moot.

Her mother, also named Ann, at the age of eight years old had been bestowed the honor of unveiling the blessed statue. A statue which Bishop Avery Comithier hopes to save. “The Mary with the baby Jesus, that statue there above the door I want that,” stated Comithier.

Moot explains, “My mother Ann, she did the unveiling of the Blessed Mother.” She went on to share her memories and photographs of her family as she explained the family’s relationship to the church. Particularly how her mother became the church organist after the original organist had to go away to work on the railroad after World War II broke out.

“There was nobody. Immediately my grandmother said you’re going to be the organist and so she did at the age of 15. She became the organist of the church and was there until it’s closing,” said Moot.

Bishop Comithier would like to recover one other special item from the church. “I told them I want the cornerstone, which was laid at the time that it was erected,” said Comithier.

Albany County Historian, Jack McEneny, explains that cornerstones are much more than the date the building was built. “Buildings that are built for the generations, that are making a statement, and usually recognizes this is not, it’s not just ours. It’s going to go to one, to two, or hopefully more generations. So, at the time the foundation was laid usually that’s when you put in a hollow Stone and in that it has memorabilia.”

He says any number of treasures may exist in the time capsule and because one of the original Aldermen for the area was a German Colonel and in the Civil War, “I would be surprised if there wasn’t something there that would reflect the Union,” stated the historian.

It is unclear when the time capsule will be removed. The Albany City Mayor’s office say the church is a complete loss and the rest of the building will have to come down sometime next week. “I’m hoping they’ll get a second or third opinion to see that tower can be saved because it’s not just a building it’s the skyline of Albany,” said McEneny.