The Churches of a Small Town

I live in a small town just north of Albany; a place where you can get across town in five minutes and everybody knows everybody. For such a small town, it’s quite remarkable that there are 6 different buildings that are, or formerly were churches. Mechanicville NY is an old town that was settled in the 1700s and back in the day was the place to be because of it’s location on the Hudson River and the railroad tracks passing through. What is really strange about the presence of six churches is how I have a special connection to each one, even though only 2 are churches of my given faith. 

The first two churches are located within 100 feet of each other and they represent where I spent a lot of time as a child. As it was called when I was younger, Assumption Saint Paul was where I made my first communion, attended church school, played basketball, socialized and grew. As shown below, these two churches played a big role in shaping the person I am today and although I don't spend as much time there as I used to, it still warms my heart to walk inside these buildings.

            The third church was not only a place of worship, but a preschool too. It is here that I started my education and made some of my very first friends. It is no longer a functioning preschool but many of the kids from my generation went through the system and it was a great place to grow up.

            Every year before graduation, my high school has a baccalaureate service in one of two places. The year I graduated (2010), it was held in the Methodist church on Main Street, which is right across from our old elementary school. So after a beautiful service, my lifelong friends and I went across the street and took photos together at the place where we became friends as we all prepared to leave and go our separate ways.

            The next church also located on Main Street, St. Lukes, is important to me because it is the church where my great-grandmother and my grandparents attended mass and where my Girl Scout troop met after school for many years. It has since been transformed into an art center. Although it is no longer a functioning church, it still is a beautiful building with a great new purpose. And even though it now has a different meaning, my oldest cousin was still able to get married there in October of 2011.

            Since the St. Lukes in town was converted to the art center, it has been relocated into a beautiful location, which I can see from my back porch. This modern and beautiful new building is probably most special of all. Although it is so close to my house, I have only been in this building once since it has been built. My great-grandmother, who lived walking distance from this building, attended mass here regularly. Once she passed away a few years ago, her wake and funeral services were held here. Although it was one of the saddest days of my life, together my big family grew even closer after that day (even when we didn’t think it was possible) and we’re still blessed with the memories of the lady who loved this building probably more than anyone.

            Churches in my small town are not just beautiful architecture and immaculate stained glass. Churches represent the different kinds of religions that may reside in any given community. Religion can be many things for many different people- hope, love, belonging, answers. Whatever the reason for religion any person may have, they participate together in a community sense. In these churches reside memories, hope, faith and happiness, no matter which faith you come from and no matter how much time passes since the last time you entered.