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Parish
History
of Holy Trinity Parish of Cohoes
On February 25, 1998, 324 years of combined history became one with the
formation of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Cohoes, New York. In 1878, the Catholic population of Saint
Bernard’s Parish living in the Harmony Hill section of Cohoes formed a new Parish under the Patronage of Saint
Agnes. For 120 years the parish served this community, being a visible sign
of the gospel and reaching out with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ
to all who sought the consolation of the Word of God.
In 1886, the increasing Catholic population of the Orchard section of Cohoes petitioned the Diocese of Albany for the
establishment of its own faith community, and Saint Patrick’s Parish
became a reality. For nearly a century it provided for the spiritual and
temporal needs of the faithful. A dwindling Catholic population brought about
the merger of Saint Patrick’s with its sister Church of Saint Agnes.
In 1907 the growing French population in the Hill section sought to change
its status as a mission church of Saint Josephs Parish to a separate parish under the patronage of Mary
Mother of Mercy. The request was granted and Mater Misericordiae Parish
(Saint Marie’s) was established. For ninety-one years the needs of the
French-Canadian community and the changing ethnic neighborhood were served by
the parish.
In 1995, the changing population and demographics of Cohoes, coupled with the
increasing shortage of ordained clergy, brought about a three-year process of
prayer, evaluation, listening and study which led to a proposal made to
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop of Albany, by the combined Pastoral Councils
of Saint Marie’s and Saint Agnes/Saint Patrick’s Parishes: Close
the three parishes and allow them to merge into one new entity. After
consultation and prayer, Bishop Hubbard granted the request. On February 22,
1998, the parishes of Saint
Marie’s and Saint Agnes/Saint Patrick’s emerged. Following a
four-month process of input from all parishioners, Bishop Hubbard approved
our choice of the Church of the Holy Trinity as the name of our new
community.
Drawing on 324 years of combined history, and recognizing the realities of
the 21st century, we strive to honor our traditions; to remain rooted in the
Gospel; and to call forth each member of this community of faith to respond
honestly to our Baptismal call to follow the Lord through prayer and faithful
service to our brothers and sisters.
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