THE CATHEDRAL of ALL SAINTS in the City and Diocese of Albany
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THE CATHEDRAL OF ALL SAINTS in the City and Diocese of Albany CONGREGATIONAL PROFILE 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE CATHEDRAL OF ALL SAINTS PROFILE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Catherine Kuubetesuri George N. Baldwin Woodrow Bynum Jacqueline Davis Elizabeth Dumas INTRODUCTION IDENTIFICATION OF THE CATHEDRAL CONGREGATION HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL THE CITY OF ALBANY, THE CAPITAL REGION AND THE COMMUNITY THE CATHEDRAL SERVES THE CATHEDRAL AND ITS TREASURES OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE AND WORSHIP INFORMATION THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CATHEDRAL OF ALL SAINTS STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE 2016 BUDGET CATHEDRAL PROGRAMS AND MISSIONS KEY ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN THE 2016 SURVEY Introduction THE CATHEDRAL OF ALL SAINTS CONGREGATIONAL PROFILE 2016: Page 2 This profile describes the Cathedral; its unique role as an active congregation and a beacon for the Diocese; its relation to the city of Albany community and the immediate neighborhood in which the Cathedral is positioned; its mission and goals; programmatic ministries and assets; financial stability; and, most importantly, the people that participate in the life of the church as regular congregants or visitors. Identification of the Cathedral Congregation The Cathedral of All Saints in the City and Diocese of Albany has been called the “Pioneer Cathedral” because it is the first great cathedral to be built in the Episcopal Church. Founded by the Rt. Rev’d William Croswell Doane, the first bishop of Albany, the Cathedral was chartered in 1872 and the cornerstone was laid in 1884. The Cathedral setting is impressive. As a faith community we believe we are a welcoming presence in the City of Albany. Our Cathedral represents for us a holy place for worship in the finest tradition. Data from the 2015 annual report reveals the average Sunday morning attendance is 150. The cathedral congregation consists of 381 active baptized members and 293 communicants in good standing. There were four marriages, nine burials, and nine baptisms during the year. The Cathedral congregation is diverse. There are people and families from different backgrounds, races, genders, and marital statuses, and they come from a wide range of economic situations. There is a mix of people associated with the cathedral that represent many generations as well as new members to the congregation and the Capital District. Although many people live within ten miles of the church, some cathedralites travel a distance to get to services. Some members have always been Episcopalians; others have come from a variety of faith traditions. They cite the liturgy, music program, architecture and diversity as key factors in their decisions to worship at the Cathedral. Our congregation is fortunate; we have the support from active volunteers that assist in all of the ministries and programs for which we are known. We are proud of the cathedralites who are active in service to the larger community With the hard work and determination of its membership and the help of God, The Cathedral of All Saints can and will be, in the words of its founder, “a cathedral for all people.” History of the Cathedral On June 8, 1872, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Albany consented to the formation of a new church and congregation which was to become the Cathedral of All Saints. The first service was held on All Saints Eve, Oct. 31, 1872, in the former machine shop of the Townsend Brothers Foundry on Elk Street. The barn-like structure was renovated, temporary pews were installed and evensong was sung by the organizer of this budding church, Bishop William Croswell Doane. It was Bishop Doane’s dream to have a cathedral foundation similar to those of the Church of England. His friend and devout churchman, Erastus Corning, donated the block on Elk Street between Hawk and Swan Streets in 1871 as the site of the new cathedral. The foundry at the end of the property was used for worship until the cathedral was erected. On June 3, 1884, an elaborate procession crossed Elk Street to the site of the cathedral and the cornerstone was laid. This was one of the first Episcopal churches in the United States built specifically to be a cathedral. The edifice, a gothic revival designed by architect Robert William Gibson, rose to soaring heights and became part of the grandeur of Albany for decades. On Nov. 20, 1888, the Cathedral, as far as it was completed, was dedicated in the presence of the Presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. John Williams, Bishop of Connecticut. THE CATHEDRAL OF ALL SAINTS CONGREGATIONAL PROFILE 2016: Page 3 In 1902, a gift of $200,000 made possible the resumption of work on the choir. It was completed Nov. 15, 1904. Beginning in 1972, a series of celebrations were held to mark the passing of 100 years as a cathedral church. In 1984 celebrations were held to observe the 100th anniversary of the laying of the corner stone. Throughout its history, the Cathedral has been marked by the faithfulness of a small congregation in a monumental sized building under severe financial pressure. That faithfulness has been rewarded by increased financial support from the diocese. The City of Albany, the Capital District, and the community that The Cathedral of All Saints serves The Cathedral of All Saints is located in the heart of the city of Albany and stands at the center of one of the most interesting cities in the Northeast. Since its beginnings as a Dutch settlement in 1620, Albany known at that time as Fort Orange quickly became a focal point for trade and transportation. It has gained increasing importance in these respects because of its location. All major cities in the Northeast lie no more than 200-300 miles from Albany and all major rail, water, and roadways converge at Albany’s core. Of great importance commercially is Albany’s water trade which has expanded steadily over the years. Many ocean going cargo ships pass through Port of Albany. The population of the city of Albany based on data from the 2010 census was 98,856 According to the Capital Region Statistical Report (Capital District Regional Planning Commission): The Capital Region consists of 79 total communities including the four central cities: Albany (the capital of New York State), Saratoga Springs, Schenectady and Troy. While the 79 communities exist as independent entities, the close proximity among the four central cities and the area’s strong transportation network made it possible for a vibrant, independent region to emerge. The report states that the 2009-13 data summary revealed that: 1 in 5 households in the Region report earning less than 25,000 annually more than twice the regional average; 11.4% of the Capital Region residents reported living below the poverty line. The cities of Albany, Schenectady and Troy have significant populations of children living in poverty. This high percentage of students living in poverty is likely to exacerbate already stressed resources. The Capital Region has numerous public and private colleges, including the State University at Albany, which enriches Albany’s population by attracting students from throughout the state, country and world. Dedication to the performing arts has long been a goal of the “city fathers” and Albany abounds in rich sources of amusement in local and adjacent theaters. The city boasts its own symphony orchestra and a number of choral groups. The Empire State Plaza attracts a wide variety of performers and is home to seasonal cultural events. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, forty minutes to the north of Albany, is host to the New York City Ballet and other cultural events during the year. The Tanglewood Summer music festival and many summer theaters lie within a short distance of Albany. Of all the denominations settling in the area, the Episcopal Church has the deepest roots. The Diocese of Albany is geographically huge and its historic place is one of great prominence in the area’s religious and social life. In addition, four Episcopal churches are located within the city and many others are in the surrounding area. THE CATHEDRAL OF ALL SAINTS CONGREGATIONAL PROFILE 2016: Page 4 A cathedral has been defined as “a microcosm of the whole church…a household of God set in the midst of the world…” Such is the Cathedral of All Saints as it stands surrounded by monumental buildings and commercial enterprises. Externally, even the silent brick and mortar of the Cathedral building speaks of God to those who live and move throughout the city. Albany is rich in many treasures, but this first great cathedral of the Episcopal Church is certainly one of the city’s greatest possessions. This unique sign of Episcopal presence symbolizes the unity of the diocese, the unity of Christ and the unity of the past with the present. With its faith rooted firmly in its past and in its continuous growth, The Cathedral of All Saints looks forward to the future in the hope that the truth and power of Christ will prevail. Such is its purpose and its presence in the city of Albany. The Cathedral and its Treasures The Cathedral building is a treasure in and of itself, but the Cathedral is also blessed to have many treasures and artifacts of value. The Cathedral of All Saints is located in downtown Albany and consists of approximately 1.16 acres. It is surrounded (and many would argue) hidden by state buildings. There are two buildings on the property including the church, itself, and the Guild House which has been unoccupied and unused for many years. In its prime, the Guild House was a thriving center for housing, education, fellowship and recreation. It is a long term goal of the Cathedral to restore the Guild House to its former beauty and function.