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The
original architectural drawing for St. Mary's Church had two spires in the blueprints. The
spires were to be erected at a later date one assumes due to lack of finances. On a trip
to Germany, Father Walworth saw a church with an open bell tower erected over the main
entrance of the church. The tower doubled as a pedestal for a weathervane in the form of
an angel. Father Walworth, himself a man of discriminating taste, knew it would fit atop
St. Mary's in Albany. So, in the late 1870s, Father Walworth had an architect design the
present tower from the ground up. Based on a medieval order, it was raised 175 feet from
the street, the whole being crowned by a colossal statue of the Angel of Judgment, the
image of Angel Gabriel. He ordered it to be so constructed that it would carry the image
of the Angel Gabriel with his horn, which also would serve as a weathervane. The original
base for the weathervane is still intact and serving even yet. Angel Gabriel is not only a
traditional Albany landmark, it has become St. Mary's logo. The tower and the angel were
illuminated in 1983. Located in the bell tower is a beautiful set of chimes which could
have been played from the organ. They have ceased playing, but still remain in the tower.
- The bells were re activated in 1980 by Kehn's Bell Service of
Troy, New York.
- The large bell was cast by Aspinwall of Albany, New York, in
1936 and weighs over two tons.
- The small bell was cast by Meneeley Bell of Troy, New York in
the early 1920s. It originally rang at St. Phillip's the mission church
of St. Mary's.
- The large wheel for the bells was cast in
Watervliet, New York
in 1979 by Strecks Iron Works. In 1986, because of extensive vibrations, these bells were
electrified and now remain stationary. In 1997 to commemorate the Bicentennial of St.
Mary's, a brand new electronic organ was installed and is capable of playing
the
outdoor chimes.
- The foundation is cut blue stone. The walls are pressed brick
trimmed with white Berkshire marble. The protective glass over the stained glass is
Lexan,
manufactured by the General Electric Company and installed in 1982.
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The first Cornerstone of the first or old St. Mary's
Church which occupied the same site as the second and third, was laid in 1797. It is still
visible and present in the church sacristy |
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