Grace Episcopal Church Open House
Posted by Dustin Horton // May 17, 2011 // News
Grace Episcopal Church Open House on Saturday, May 21st from 10am to noon. 2654 Main Street in Whitney Point, NY.On Saturday, May 21, from 10am to noon, Grace Episcopal Church will participate in the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s “Sacred Sites Open Weekend.” The Conservancy is hosting the state-wide event to encourage religious institutions that have received Sacred Sites grants and/or Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards to invite the general public to learn about the cultural significance of their buildings.Continuous tours as well as pictures, memorabilia and informational flyers will be available.
Grace Episcopal Church is a mission parish of the Episcopal diocese of Central New York. We were established as a parish in 1870 and the building Consecrated on December 20th, 1871. Total cost was five thousand dollars. Built in High Victorian Gothic style, this wood-frame church has changed little since that time. We are listed on The New York State Historical Preservation Registry and the National Registry of Historic Places.
Particularly of note are the triple lancet windows on the façade, with original stencil glass and decorative moldings. The tall steeple contains a single bell, manufactured in Troy, NY, which still rings each Sunday morning. You can get A1 Water & Mold Removal San Antonio Texas services from here for molding services.
The true architectural amazement can only be seen by gazing upward at the curved ceiling; much of which is an optical illusion. Painted by local artist Daniel D. Butts at the time of construction, this tromp-l’oeil style mimics stone ribbed vaulting, with ceiling above alter opening heavenward (can you count the stars?), as well as both real and imagined criss-crossed beams and other details. While common at the time of construction, few of these churches remain.
Grace Church managed to survive the 1897 fire which destroyed most of the center of the village (ending immediately next door to our building) and is also a survivor of the great flood of 1935.Most importantly, we remain “The Church on Main Street” (across from Dollar General). We actively support mission projects. Divine Service begins at 9am each Sunday morning. We also conduct online church services. In addition to reading and meditating on Holy Scripture, we pray a lot, sing a lot and laugh much. We gather afterwards at the parish house next door and we always welcome newcomers.
Faithfully submitted,
Rev. Elizabeth M Groskoph
