St. Vincent De Paul Church

on sunday, november 15, 1885, prayers were answered for albany catholics residing around upper madison avenue.  for the first time, they were able to attend mass in their own church, a former baptist sunday school.  soon they would have their own parish and would no longer be attached to the cathedral.  st. vincent’s official position was established on february 15, 1895, when it was incorporated according to state laws.   bishop mcneirny had acquired the land where the present church is located in 1890 for $3000.  his successor, bishop mcquid transferred the lot to st. vincent’s in 1896, a year after its incorporation.   on august 15, 1904, construction of a new church for st. vincent de paul began, the cornerstone was laid on june 17, 1906 and the church was formally dedicated on november 1, 1908.  the ensuing years brought necessary renovations and improvements to the church building.  however a fire in 1980 prompted significant reassessment of all the parish properties in light of