By Bea Peterson
No decision has been made as to the future of Immaculate Conception Church. Repeat… No decision has been made as to the future of the Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls. On Saturday, January 26 members of the Church’s Parish Council, Rick and Beth Ferrannini, Mike Brewster and Fr. Tom Zelker met in the church to dispel rumors that everything regarding the building and its flooding in July has been resolved. It has not. There is no time limit as to when a decision must be made. Estimated costs right now to repair and restore the church are more than a million dollars. Modifications to the structure and what is covered by flood insurance can vary that price. On the other hand, insurance would cover the cost of demolishing the building. Estimated cost to build a new church at St. Mary’s Academy to seat 200 people is less than a half million dollars. An architectural firm associated with the Albany Diocese has shown the parish a variety of plans for what a new church might look like.
The Parish Council has held two meetings with parishioners looking for their input. A questionnaire was given to them asking how they see their faith, how they see their church and how do they want to participate in making their parish community stronger. All of the Church Ministries including Faith Formation, Hospitality, Liturgy, Music, Social Justice, Community, Worship Space and Sacramental Preparation can use help. Communication and Bereavement Ministries no longer exist because no one has stepped forward to lead or serve on them. Though Mike said someone has come forward to help him with Communication. “That is our most important mission,” he added. “To reach out to everyone.” “A way bigger problem than money,” said Ric “is the vibrancy of the parish.” Collectively they agree the population is in spiritual decline. “It’s bigger than us,” said Mike. “We have to remember that our mission is serving the Lord and his people. What we’re doing now isn’t working. We have to be relevant again. Participation needs to be increased. We need to come up with a plan.” Work is currently underway to improve parish communication through a website and monthly newsletter. Beth noted that Fr. Tom has been a tremendous asset to the parish. “He’s a model to emulate,” she said. “He’s the most Christ-like priest I’ve ever met.” And he’s the one who is constantly bombarded with “you should do this” and “you should do that,” at times to the detriment of his health.
Rick pointed out that his great-great-grandparents, great-grandparents, grandparents, parents and he and Beth were all married in this building. Mike can’t go back that far, but his family too has a long history with the church. Beth looked around the structure and admired its sacredness, beauty, openness and opulence. “Nobody WANTS to tear the church down, said Ric. “This is bigger than us,” said Mike. “For me, I have to be here now for my church community in the time of need.” They agreed, if 100 more people stepped forward with their time, talent and treasure, it would shed a different light on the outcome.
Fr. Tom added, “in the 1960s Pope John the XXIII said the church is not meant to be a museum. It’s not to be locked up. It’s to be open, a garden giving light to all.”
Statistically 71% of the town of Hoosick is listed as Roman Catholic. Five hundred families are registered in the parish, yet on average only 327 people attend the weekly Saturday and Sunday Masses. Eight years ago that figure was 427. With an annual attrition (death and relocation) rate of 4.8%, by 2027 it is estimated only 199 people will be attending Masses. The 2010 census lists the population of town and village at 6,924. “Government statistics see no growth for the town in the future,” said Ric.
For at least 17 years the finance committee has stated it takes $4,000 a week to meet the expenses of the church, school and rectory. That seldom happens. Every year the parish runs a deficit and critically needed repairs are neglected because there is no money for them.
“Let’s face it,” said Ric “we have no economic right to exist, yet we do.” Often diocesan support has made the difference.
Drive into Hoosick Falls from Hill Road or High Street and the steeple of Immaculate Conception Church is THE most visible landmark. It’s been a Village landmark since the church was constructed in 1871. That particular steeple has not always been the landmark. The current steeple replaced previous others that people have said were far more attractive. The huge 147 year old stone and brick structure dominates the corner of Main and Elm Streets. It wasn’t always that way.
In the mid-1830s Hoosick catholics held Masses in the Baptist church, in the old schoolhouses on Elm Street and in North Hoosick and often in the High Street home of Patrick Kearney. The population of Hoosick back then was 3,384, with an estimated 200 folks living in Hoosick Falls. In the mid-1860s the congregation was a mission church of St. Patrick’s in Cambridge and came under the care of the Augustinians.
The church on Main Street was built in 1870/71. The population of the town at that time was 5,728 and the church could hold 650 worshipers. In the early 1880s the church proved too small to accommodate the increasing congregation. It was enlarged. The church then easily accommodated 1,050 people. The population of Hoosick and Hoosick Falls reached its peak in 1890 and is recorded as 10,471, with 7,014 people living in the village and 3,457 living in the town. In 1920 the population of the town had declined by more than 3,500 yet Immaculate Conception remains the same size it was then, though countless changes have occurred over the years. Early murals have been painted over or removed and much of the gilt is gone. The altar has changed. Lifelong attendees can list many other changes that have taken place as well. Rows of pews have been removed and the building once again comfortably seats 400, with obviously, plenty of space to spare. The roof, ceiling and windows all need repairs.
“Like all faith based people,” said Ric, “we’re resilient.” When pieces of the ceiling fell, Mass was held downstairs in the church… and attendance remained the same. After the July flood Mass was held in the gymnasium of St. Mary’s Academy… and the people came.
“It will not be a case of what ‘they’ did,” said Mike. “All of us are making this decision. People need to get involved now. God put us here at this moment to do something.” Over the years the church has changed, the worship space has change. “We have to be sure we are not hanging on tightly to things God would say we should hang onto loosely,” said Ric. The Council agrees its goal is to “make sure we make the right decision.”