2 churches in Orleans included in NY’s ‘Sacred Sites’ open house
File photos by Tom Rivers: St. John’s Episcopal Church in Medina is one of two churches in Orleans County that will be featured May 19 in a Sacred Sites open house, a state-wide effort that includes about 200 churches. The church opened in 1832.
Historic churches around the state, including two in Orleans County, are opening their doors to showcase the architectural wonders inside the buildings on the weekend of May 18-19.
There are about 150 churches, synagogues or meeting houses on the “Sacred Sites” tour, including St. John’s Episcopal Church in Medina and the Cobblestone Universalist Church in Gaines.
Those two local churches will have an open house on May 19. The Cobblestone Universalist Church will be open that day from 2 to 5 p.m. The church, built in 1834, is located at 14389 Ridge Road West, Albion.
St. John’s Episcopal Church was completed in 1832. It is located at 200 east Center St. It will be open for the Sacred Sites tour from 1 to 3 p.m.
This is the ninth annual “Sacred Sites” tour in New York, an event aimed to raise public appreciation for the churches as community treasures with stained-glass windows, pipe organs, ornately carved pews, and decorative paintings and murals.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy is spearheading the Sacred Sites tour. The organization provides grants to churches in New York. The two churches in Orleans on the tour are among the recipients of Sacred Sites awards.
The Cobblestone Universalist Church in Gaines is the oldest cobblestone church in North America. The building was constructed in 1834.
This year’s event has a theme, “Medieval to Modern: Celebrating New York’s Religious Art and Architecture.” New York Landmarks Conservancy wants to highlight the broad spectrum of historical periods, faith traditions, and styles of religious architecture found in communities throughout New York State. Participating congregations will showcase their buildings and histories via lectures, musical performances, and special guided tours as well as highlight other cultural and social service programs offered throughout the year.
For more on the Sacred Sites tour, click here.
