NEB&W Guide to Cohoes, NY - St. John's Church

Last Update: 2008-12-18

Cohoes Table of Contents
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The Cohoes Company, which was set up in the early 19th century to utlitize the power of the falls and establish a mill system to make cotton, brought in David Wilkinson from Rhode Island to manage it. Wilkinson was the brother-in-law to Samuel Slater, father of America's cotton mills. Wilkinson was also a devote parishioner of St. John's Episcopal Church in Pawtucket, and helped establish a church by the same name in Cohoes.

The church began meeting in 1831, and two years later a frame building was constructed on Oneida Street. As the congregation grew, a bigger building was needed but there was no extra room at the Oneida St. site. So they purchased a lot just south of the depot. The new building was designed by Richard Upjohn, famed church designer, most notably Trinity church in New York City. The new stone church was constructed in 1871.

In 1894, the church burned to the ground, although the rectory survived. A new even larger building was designed by Halsey Wood of New York City, and opened the following year.

During the 20th century, the number of parishioners slowly declined and the church complex became more than needed. In 1970, a new modern church was opened on Vliet Blvd.

St. John's Episcopal Church is now the home of the Cohoes Public Library. (The parish house on the north side has since been torn down, I believe around 1986.)

The Front

The Side

Parish House

Trackside