REPORT ON THE HISTORICAL & ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FORMER CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS 275 NORTH PEARL STREET ALBANY, NEW YORK

Compiled by Paula S. Lemire www.gardenalley.net [email protected] November 2015 Updated May 2016 “The Holy Innocents Church, on Pearl st., a gem, pure in conception, should be seen by tourists and lovers of art.”

– Henry P. Phelps, The Albany Hand-book: A Stranger's Guide and a Resident's Manual, 1884. By 1850, Albany lumber baron William H. DeWitt had lost all four of his young children. Their dates of death were not recorded in the burial registry at the Albany Rural Cemetery. Only their names, causes of death, and ages were listed:

William Henry DeWitt - Disease of Lungs - aged 6 years, 4 months Frances Ann DeWitt - Scarlet fever - aged four months, 25 days Edward Clark DeWitt - Croup - aged 1 year, 9 months Catharine Clark DeWitt - scarlet fever - 4 years, 7 months, 15 days

Catherine Clark DeWitt's death was reported in the Albany Argus as occurring on July 19, 1837. At the time, she was referred to as an only child.

These children were originally laid to rest in the municipal State Street Burying Grounds, but were moved to the Rural Cemetery where DeWitt erected a spectacular white marble monument. The intricately carved pedestal is topped by an marble angel (or, according to Henry P. Phelps. a winged figure representing Faith) bearing a bronze processional cross. Small, matching headstones mark the graves of the children.

William DeWitt was among the first Trustees of the new Rural Cemetery and, as a memorial to his children, imported four white swans from Europe to grave the Cemetery's now-drained Consecration Lake. One swan, unfortunately, did not survive the trip, but the remaining three were said to be a popular attraction along the Cemetery's original Tour road.

In addition to the monument and the swans at the Rural Cemetery, DeWitt also erected a little stone church in their memory; the Church of the Holy Innocents.

Built at the corner of North Pearl and Colonie Streets, it was a short walk from the DeWitt mansion on Broadway to the new church. It was designed by English-born Frank Wills and, in 1866 a matching chapel was added to the south side. This addition designed by Edward Ogden and William L. Woolett. The building was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 which described the church and attached chapel construction as a two T-shaped two-and-a-half-story structures of coursed bluestone rubble masonry trimmed with Portland stone. The church and chapel are connected and both topped by steeply pitched gable roofs covered with slate.

The stained glass windows were produced by John Jay Bolton, a glass firm that Wills often used.

A carved marble plaque, originally on the south wall of the chancel, also commemorated the DeWitt children. Dedicated on July 20, 1873, it was later moved to the nave and it is not immediately clear if it still exists. Apparently, a second and different plaque in honor of DeWitt himself was also placed in the church, but again the location and condition of this plaque is also unknown at the moment.

In 1872, De Witt also gave the church an organ (Albany Morning Express, May 11, 1872).

Holy Innocents served as an Episcopal church until the late 1940s. In the early 1950s, the parish merged with Grace Church. Until 1980, Holy Innocents was home to a Russian Orthodox congregation which erected the distinctive blue "onion dome" in place of the original bell-cote around 1960. (See enclosed newspaper clipping). The fifth parish is the Holy Innocents, organized February 15, 1850. The corner stone was laid in 1850 and the church consecrated September 3, 1850, by Bishop Whittingham. The Church was built by William H. Dewitt as a memorial to his children. The Rev. Sylvanus Reed was the first Rector from 1850 to 1861. He was succeeded by the Rev. Wm. Ross Johnson, who served the Parish in 1862-3. The Rev. Wm. S. Boardman became Rector in 1865 and resigned his charge in 1865. The Rev. Royal Marshall became Rector in 1869, and resigned in 1874. He was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Smith in 1875, who served the Parish successfully until his death in 1882, when the Rev. Ralph Kenyon became Rector in 1883, serving the Parish until 1887. He was succeeded by the present Rector, the Rev. Richmond Shreve, in 1888. The Parish property consists not only of the beautiful Church, but of a very beautiful Sunday-school building, the whole making a most picturesque group.

– from Historical and architectural guide to the Cathedral of All Saints, Albany, with short sketches of the church history in the state and diocese, Albany, Published by the Women's Diocesan League, Riggs Printing & Publishing, 1891?

The Holy Innocents' Church society was organized February 15, 1850, and the handsome church, corner of North Pearl and Colonie streets, the gift of the late William H. De Witt, was consecrated in September of the same year. During the rectorship of Rev. Richmond Shreve, which began in 1888, the parish added to its property by the purchase of a rectory on Ten Broeck street*. Rev. Mr. Shreve resigned July 31, 1896, and was succeeded by Rev. A. Randolph B. Hagerman. the present rector.

– from Landmarks of Albany County, New York. Edited by Amasa J. Parker. Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason, 1897

* This refers to the distinctive five-sided house at the corner southeast corner of Ten Broeck Street and Livingston Avenue (formerly Lumber Street). Built in 1873.

The northern part of Albany was uncared for until 1850. Then Mr. De Witt, a member of St. Paul's church, built the Church of the Holy Innocents, as a memorial to his four children, whom the Lord had given and taken away. To the gift of the church building, he added by will a partial endowment; and in 1885, after the death of Mrs. De Witt, the Sunday school chapel was deeded to the corporation. It has since been enlarged and improved, and so made better able to do the hard and important work of caring for the large, changing and varying population of North Albany.

– from Albany bi-centennial. Historical memoirs. A. Bleecker Banks, chairman printing committee. Albany and New York, Banks & Brothers, 1886 MR. DE WITT'S OBSEQUIES

Albany Evening Times

Wednesday, July 24, 1872 (Second Edition)

Funeral Services this Afternoon - Resolutions of Respect

This afternoon all that was mortal of the late William H. De Witt was deposited in its last resting place in the beautiful home of the dead, the Rural cemetery, beside the remains of his four children, who preceded him a number of years ago. It is not saying too much to assert that it falls to the lot of but few mortals in these days to be so sincerely and generally mourned as was Mr. De Witt. Few there are in Albany but have heard of his many deeds of charity and of love, and in other cities he had large circles of friends who loved him for his quiet, unobtrusive manners and Christian virtues. Therefore it is not to be wondered at that upon this occasion, when those who had known him, were to take a last look at the face of the benefactor or friend, that a general sadness should prevail.

This morning the body was prepared for burial, attired in customary dress suit. The remains were place in an elegant but plain rosewood casket, lined with white satin. Upon the coffin was a very large solid silver plate in the form of a Greek cross. The cross was one foot long, and the staff 2 1/2 inches wide. The inscription was:

Entered into Rest, WILLIAM HENRY DE WITT Aged 73 years, July 21, 1872

The casket was placed upon a dais in the centre of the front parlor. At the head of the bier upon a draped stand was an immense crown of natural flowers, while upon the casket were a beautiful cross of immortelles and one of autumn leaves. The features of the deceased presented a very natural appearance, and as many who had known the deceased in life looked upon them, they were much affected.

Shortly after 8 o'clock, the funeral cortege consisting of a closed hearse and some twenty-five carriages drew up in front of the mansion of the deceased, on North Broadway**, and after a prayer by Rev. Mr. Marshall, the lid was closed, and the coffin was borne to the hearse. The pall-bearers were governors of the Albany hospital, as follows: Thomas W. Oclott, A. McClure, Robert H. Pruyn, I.W. Vosburgh, S.H. Ransom, W.G. Thomas, J.J. Austin, J.M. Crapo.

The cortege moved to the Church of the Holy Innocents, which had been draped for the occasion, and the coffin placed in the outer chancel. The edifice was filled with the Sunday school scholars (Mr. De Witt) was superintendent of the school), members of the church and congregation, clergymen, vestrymen of the church, and friends of the deceased. The beautiful funeral service of the Episcopal church was read by Rev. Mr. Marshall, and Rt. Rev. Bishop Williams of Connecticut, made a brief and touching address, eulogistic of the good man whose remains were about to be consigned to the tomb.

The services at the church being over, the sad cortege re-formed and proceeded to the Rural cemetery, where the body of William H. De Witt was forever hidden from sigh. Delegations from the different corporate bodies of which the deceased was a prominent officer, were present. The entrance to the hospital was tastefully draped in mourning out of respect to the deceased.

Resolutions of respect to the memory of Mr. De Witt have been passed as follows:

CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS

IN MEMORIUM. - At a meeting of the vestry of the church of the Holy Innocents, yesterday afternoon - the death of W.H. De Witt having been announced - the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:

Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to remove our greatly beloved Senior Warden, Mr. W. H. De Witt, whose long life has been devoted to the church, and whose generous and kind heart, his many noble Christian virtues endeared him to every member of the parish; therefore,

Resolved, That while we deeply lament the loss of our departed friend and benefactor, and our hearts are filled with sorrow, we mourn not as those without hope, for he died as he had lived, a devoted and consistent Christian, leaving behind him monuments to his liberality and love for his Divine Master which shall ever be held by us in everlasting remembrance.

Resolved, That we tender to his bereaved widow our heartfelt sympathy in this her hour of deep affliction, and commend her to Him who loveth whom He chaseteneth, and upon whom she can lean for support and comfort in her declining years.

Resolved, That the church and chapel be draped in mourning, and that the vestry attend the funeral in a body, and that a copy of these resolutions be published and sent to the family of the deceased.

At a meeting of the officers and teachers of the Holy Innocents Sunday school, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:

Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father to take to himself our beloved superintendent, William H. De Witt, in the full fruition of the time for which man is appointed to live; be it

Resolved, That while we sincerely and deeply mourn our irreparable loss, we grieve not as those who are without hope, trusting and believing that in the general resurrection in the last day our kind and faithful friend may be found acceptable in the sight of his dear Saviour, and receive that blessing which shall then be pronounced on all who love and serve the Lord.

Resolved, That our tenderest sympathies are given to the widow of our late superintendent in this her great affliction, and that we earnestly pray our Heavenly Father to send his holy spirit to comfort and sustain her in her hour of need, granting her that peace which passeth all understanding.

THE RURAL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

At a meeting of the trustees of this association, held yesterday, the death of William H. De Witt was announced by the president, whereupon it was Resolved, That we mourn the loss of an associate trustee, who has labored long and contributed largely in beautifying the sacred grounds where his remains are rest; and that in bearing testimony to the beautiful consistency of his well-spent life, we would assure his bereaved wife that our hearts are in sympathy with her in this afflictive dispensation.

THE DUDLEY OBSERVATORY TRUSTEES

The trustees of the Dudley observatory having learning of the death of William H. De Witt, a member of the board, at a meeting yesterday it was

Resolved, That in the death of William H. De Witt this institution has lost a liberal patron and its trustees a reliable friend and associated. That the sympathies of this board be respectfully tendered to the bereaved family of the deceased.

THE GOVERNORS OF THE HOSPITAL

At a meeting of the governors of the Albany hospital, held on the 23d inst., the following action was had:

The governors of the Albany hospital discharge a melancholy duty, joining in the general expression of sorrow occasioned by the death of their associate, William H. De Witt, who has left an impress in the social circle, the marts of trade and the church of God which cannot be effaced.

This institution, during nearly its entire existence, has been benefited by his intelligence and sympathy, careful supervision and generous liberality. The governors direct that this minute be made as a memorial of their high appreciation of the honorable christian character of the deceased and the magnitude of their loss; and a further token of respect, will attend his funeral in a body.

The secretary of the board will transmit a copy of the above to the respected widow, and cause the same to be published.

THE MECHANICS AND FARMERS' BANK

At a meeting of the board, yesterday convened, it was

Resolved, That in the death of William H. De Witt the directors of this bank have lost one of their oldest members, endeared to them by the warmth of his heart, the amenity of his manners, and the integrity of his character; and that our cashier be requested to convey to the widow of the deceased our warmest sympathies and most affectionate regards.

A TRIBUTE FROM NEW YORK

The New York Express of last evening, in speaking of the death of Mr. De Witt, says: "Towards the parish church (the Holy Innocents) his affections ever centered -- Though one of the humblest of its worshipers, he never permitted a want or need to go unsupplied which mortal was equal to. Of its Sunday school, he was superintendent. In this work he was eminently useful. But while all the qualities and deeds to which we have adverted, and more too, claim our thankfulness and admiration, yet his meekness, his humility and his childlike disposition especially secured our affection and love. You could not hold converse with him, though for a brief while without feeling yourself drawn from the clash and clamor of life into the sweet communionship of charity and heavenly purity. His departure was as meek and submissive as had been his living. He expressed no other wish during his painful and prolonged sufferings than to submit himself most lovingly and thankfully to the Lord's will. He was enabled most graciously so to do. His was ministered to by the most able and faithful of physicians; all of his family who survive were gathering around him, and that wife whom he always more than loved was ever by his side. With every comfort, and joy, and solace that earth could afford, and with comforts, and joys, and solaces greater by far that come from above, this child of heaven, after having left the pathway of life brighter by far than it was before he trod on it, went home to join the communion of the Holy Innocents."

**The DeWitt mansion was located at 745 Broadway, approximately on the site of the present USPS Carrier Annex.

William's widow, Ann Covenhoven DeWitt, survived him by twelve years and passed away on May 16, 1884. The Last Will & Testament of William Henry DeWitt

In a Last Will & Testament proved and recorded on August 26, 1872 (and now on file at the Albany County Hall of Records), William H. DeWitt left the sum of $20,000 to the Church of The Holy Innocents to be “properly and securely” invested and held in trust for various purposes beneficial to the church. See attached will and excerpts attached.

Miscellaneous notes

Well after his death, he was described in the Albany Evening Journal as "one of the handful of dealers who went to make up the Albany [lumber] district half a century ago, and who retired from the business many years ago, the lucky possessor of a large fortune." (Albany Evening Journal, June 18, 1887)

“The designs for a very beautiful mural tablet, to be place in the Holy Innocents Church as a memorial to the late William H. DeWitt, has been completed by Architect Norman, and McMurray & Weidman are now engaged on the stone for the purpose. It will be placed in position with appropriate dedicatory services, on the third Sunday of July. It will contain an appropriate inscription.” (Albany Morning Express, May 12, 1873)

In 1848, he won a "gratuity of $1" for "five varieties of beautiful dahlias" as judged by the Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society (Albany Evening Journal, June 20, 1848). On the same occasion, he exhibited five varieties of roses (including York and Lancaster), Sweet Williams, Canterbury bells, and peonies.

In 1890, Mrs De Witt gave $500 towards the erection of a mortuary chapel at the Rural Cemetery. Albany Morning Express, June 14, 1880

A "large quantity of staves belonging to William H. De Witt were consumed" in the fire of October 21, 1841 (started in the stove foundry of McCoy and Clark on Montgomery St)

William De Witt also left $10,000 to establish a Children's Ward at the Albany Hosptial. (Albany Morning Express June 24, 1883) From the Albany Cemetery Association interment records for the plot deeded to William Henry DeWitt, Lot 16, Section 4

De Witt, Ann Covenhoven.* Place of death: Albany Late residence: 745 Broadway Date of death: May 16, 1884 Date of interment: May 19, 1884 Cause of death: Inf of the Kidneys Age: 79 years, 8 months In whose lot interred: William H. De Witt

*Wife of William Henry DeWitt

DeWitt, Catharine Clark* Cause of death: Scarlet Fever Date of interment: October 16, 1845 Age: 4 years, 7 months, 15 days In whose lot interred: William H. De Witt From Dutch Church Burial Ground

*Daughter of of William Henry DeWitt and Ann Covenhoven DeWitt

DeWitt, Catharine Marin* Place of birth: Hudson, NY Date of interment: October 16, 1845 Cause of death: Consumption Age: 33 years, 6 months In whose lot interred: William H. De Witt From Dutch Church Burial Ground *see next record – likely same individual

DeWitt, Catherine Maria Date of death: January 13, 1842 Age: 33 years, 1 month, 18 days In whose lot interred: William H. DeWitt

*Daughter of Henry DeWitt and Dorothea Heermans DeWitt. Sister of William Henry DeWitt

DeWitt, Dorothea* Place of birth: Red Hook, N.Y. Place of death: Albany Late residence: Albany Date of death: January 22, 1852 Cause of death: Dropsy Age: 82 years In whose lot interred: W.H. DeWitt

*Wife of Henry DeWitt, mother of William Henry DeWitt and Catherine Maria DeWitt DeWitt, Edward Clark* Date of interment: October 16, 1845 Cause of death: Croup Age: 1 year, 9 months In whose lot interred: William H. De Witt From Dutch Church Burial Ground

*Son of of William Henry DeWitt and Ann Covenhoven DeWitt

DeWitt, Frances Ann* Date of interment: October 16, 1845 Cause of death: Scarlet Fever Age: 4 months, 25 days In whose lot interred: William H. De Witt

From Dutch Church Burial Ground

*Daughter of William Henry DeWitt and Ann Covenhoven DeWitt

DeWitt, Henry Date of death: October 29, 1808 Age: 39 years, 8 months, 24 days Interred at Hudson, NY, but listed on monument in lot of William H. De Witt

*Husband of Dorothea Heermans DeWitt, father of William Henry DeWitt and Catharine Maria DeWitt

DeWitt, William H. Place of birth: Red Hook, NY Place of death: New York Late residence: 745 Broadway, Albany Date of death: July 21, 1872 Date of interment: July 24, 1872 Cause of death: Cancer & Kidneys Age: 73 years, 7 months, 11 days In whose lot interred: Wm. H. De Witt

*Son of Henry DeWitt and Dorothea Heermans DeWitt. Brother of Catherine Maria DeWitt. Husband of Ann Covenhoven DeWitt.

DeWitt, William Henry Date of interment: October 16, 1845 Cause of death: Disease of Lungs Age: 6 years, 4 months In whose lot interred: William H. De Witt From Dutch Church Burial Ground

*Son of William Henry DeWitt and Ann Covenhoven DeWitt About the designers of Church of The Holy Innocents

Frank Wills, Primary Architect

Born in England in 1822, Frank Wills trained under John Hayward and was a member of the Exeter Architectural Society. His early church work included a Gothic-inspired canopied tomb near the high altar of St. Thomas Church, Exeter. He emigrated first to New Brunswick before taking up residence in New York City where he started an architectural firm in 1847.

Best know for early Gothic Revival churches, his notable works include Christ Church Cathedral (New Brunswick), St. Peter's Church (Milford, Connecticut), Chapel of the Cross (Madison, Missippi), St. Mary's Church (Abingdon, Maryland), St. George's Church (Flushing, New York), and St. Michael's Church (Sillery, Quebec). Locally, his works included The Church of The Holy Innocents and Grace Church in Albany, as well as St. John's Church in Troy.

Wills' promising and already prolific career was cut short by his sudden death at the age of thirty-five on April 22, 1857; at the time, he was at work on Christ Church in Montreal which now sits atop that city's Promenades Cathedrale underground mall.

Edward Ogden and William M. Woollett, Architects

The names Edward Ogden appears frequently in the architectural history of Albany, mainly in connection with the firm Ogden & Wright. His work included the John G. Myers department store on North Pearl Street, the Kenmore Hotel, the Albany Business College at North Pearl and Columbia Streets. Among surviving designs by Ogden during his partnership with Woollett is the Emmanuel Baptist Church on State Street.

The Bolton Brothers Stained Glass

The stained glass windows at the Church of the Holy Innocents were the work of John Jay Bolton, a native of England and brother of William Jay Bolton. John assisted his brother in designing the windows for The Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn. The work of their studio (one of the earliest in the country is considered some of the figural and painted stained glass in the United States. Recent photos taken by urban explorers and others show that at least portions of the Bolton windows survive, the condition of the windows is unclear. One surviving window depicts a pelican piercing its own breast to feed its young, an ancient and not too common Christian symbol. The pelican window makes lavish use of jewel colors, particularly red, blue, and gold.

See also: Ralph, Elizabeth K. (1978-01-31). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Church of the Holy Innocents" Additional information: http://albanynyhistory.blogspot.com/2015/05/seriously-endangered-church-of-holy.html http://albanynyhistory.blogspot.com/2015/11/redevelop-and-save-church-of-holy.html http://albanyruralcemetery.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-dewitt-children-and-church-of-holy.html https://www.facebook.com/ARCbeyondthegraves/posts/856197867822167 http://savethepinebush.org/holyinnocents/ https://grainoncescattered.org/2015/10/24/holy-innocents-the-chapel-of-ease-that-never-was/ Above: View of The Church of Holy Innocents prior to 1866 (the chapel has not yet been added). Above: Grace Church, also designed by Frank Wills. This church stood at the corner of Washington Avenue and Lark Street and later moved to Clinton Avenue. These two parishes would merge ca. 1951. Ca. 1918. Family photograph from the collections of Mrs. Weldon J. Vail. Photo obtained by @AlbanyArchives. Probably ca. 1915. Bell-cote is intact. May be the same photo in the Albany Institute of History and Art collection? From: A history of the diocese of Albany, 1704-1923, by George E. DeMille. With foreword by the Bishop of Albany. (Philadelphia, Church Historical Society c1946.) Interior view ca. 1859 Floor plan with notations regarding 2015 damage provided by John Wolcott Interior view of Bolton stained glass window ca. 2015 Interior view of Bolton stained glass window ca. 2015 Interior view of Bolton stained glass window ca. 2015

Photo of exceptionally beautiful Bolton stained glass window taken by Chuck Miller in 2015

Times Union clippings ca. 1961 discussing the replacement of the original belfry with the present Russian “onion dome”

DeWitt family monument at Albany Rural Cemetery ca. 1858 Boys outside Holy Innocents at Easter, ca. 1918.