St. Jean de Baptiste
In 2022, St. Jean de Baptiste church at 230 Second Street, just south of Washington Park, was torn down to be replaced by an office building. While the parish for the city's French and French Canadian residents closed in the 1970s, the building remained as a physical reminder of its connection to the growth of Troy and its diverse communities.
In creating a Historical Marker for the site where the Church once stood, the following information was gathered to properly reflect St. Jean’s long-lasting influence on this community. Stay tuned for more content!
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1850: Rev. Peter Havermans of St. Mary’s Church holds services in French at Moulders Hall, State and River Streets, and later Apollo Hall, River and Congress Streets.
1867 March 10: St. Jean de Baptiste was incorporated, 230 2nd Street Troy NY.
1868: Cornerstone laid; October 24, 1869, St. Jean de Baptiste church dedicated.
1871: L'Avenir National established, manager Albert Page. Weekly French language newspaper, located at #18 Watkins Block, first corner of Congress Street.
1880s: French Canadians numbered 3-4,000 and were employed in boot and shoe manufacturing in the Greater Troy Area.
1885: A school building and convent were constructed and opened.
1968: Centennial celebration serving 3500 souls from Troy, Watervliet and Green Island.
1970: Parish was merged with St. Mary’s due to dwindling enrollment.
2021: St. Jean de Baptiste church was demolished.
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St. Jean Baptiste was organized as a potential parish in 1850, at which time Rev. Peter Havermans held services in French for the newly formed group.
The first services were held in Moulders Hall at State and RIver Streets. Later services were conducted in Apollo Hall at River and Congress Streets.