St. Vincent de Paul

Our Story: A Parish Since 1885

St. Vincent de Paul began on November 15, 1885, when Catholics living around upper Madison Avenue gathered for Mass in a former Baptist Sunday school — the first time they could worship in their own neighborhood. St. Vincent's was canonically incorporated as a parish on February 15, 1895. Bishop McNeirny acquired the current Madison Avenue lot in 1890 for $2,500, and his successor Bishop Burke transferred it to the parish in 1896. Construction of the present church began August 15, 1904; the cornerstone was laid June 17, 1906, and the church was formally dedicated November 1, 1908.

The 1985 Rededication and 2015 Award-Winning Renovation

A fire in 1980 forced a wholesale reassessment of parish property, and the church was remodeled and rededicated on September 29, 1985 — almost exactly 100 years after the parish's founding. By 2014, the building needed another renewal, and the parish reimagined its worship space to place the ambo and altar at the center with the assembly encircling both Word and Sacrament. The 2015 renovation received the Faith & Form/IFRAA Religious Art and Architecture Award for outstanding religious architecture and design.

• 1980 fire prompts parish-wide reassessment
• September 29, 1985 rededication
• 2014-2015 worship-space renovation
• 2015 Faith & Form/IFRAA Religious Art and Architecture Award

Leadership of St. Vincent de Paul

Since 2006 the parish has operated under a Parish Life Director model, with Sacramental Ministers (priests) providing the sacraments while a lay Parish Life Director manages parish operations. Current Parish Life Director Elizabeth Simcoe has served since 2016.

• Rev. John J. Hanlon (1889-1902)
• Rev. Michael L. Walsh (1902-1913)
• Rev. William R. Charles (1913-1944)
• Most Rev. Edward J. Maginn (1944-1972)
• Rev. Leo P. O'Brien (1972-2006)
• Sr. Joan Ann Byrne, SNJM (2006-2007, 1st Parish Life Director)
• Ms. Elizabeth Rowe-Manning (2007-2016, Parish Life Director)
• Mrs. Elizabeth Simcoe (2016-Present, Parish Life Director)

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry

St. Vincent's parish school of religion serves children in grades K-5 with weekly Sunday-morning sessions (September through May) and offers a separate Youth Ministry program for grades 6-12 that gathers on Youth Sundays once a month for learning, lunch, and service. Adult Faith Formation is coordinated by an intergenerational advisory committee, and Children's Liturgy of the Word brings the readings to children in grades K-4 during Mass. Summer programming includes Vacation Bible School (scheduled for August 3–7, 2026).

• Elementary Faith Formation (K-5), Sunday mornings Sept.-May
• Youth Day for grades 6-12, one Sunday per month
• Adult Faith Formation
• Children's Liturgy of the Word (K-4)
• Vacation Bible School (August 3-7, 2026)
• Contact: Ellen Kueterman, [email protected]

Food Pantry: Service Since 1983

Founded in 1983 and housed in the Parish Center at 984 Madison Avenue, the St. Vincent's Food Pantry serves hundreds of neighborhood households each month. It is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (line forms at noon) and serves guests who live in the Pine Hills and Eagle Point neighborhoods. The pantry receives weekly deliveries from the Regional Food Bank, supplements with home-delivered groceries for the homebound, and welcomes community gardeners who dedicate a row to the pantry's fresh-produce shelves.

• Founded 1983
• Open Tue/Wed/Thu, 12:30-2:30 PM at 984 Madison Ave.
• Serves Pine Hills and Eagle Point neighborhoods
• Home delivery for elderly, disabled, and parents of small children
• Weekly Regional Food Bank delivery
• Director: Jeff Vigliotta, [email protected], 518-694-3153

Social Justice & Outreach

The Peace & Justice Committee leads St. Vincent's social-justice apostolate, organizing direct service to those in need locally, nationally, and internationally; advocacy on political, economic, and social issues; analysis of issues through a moral lens; and education in the social teachings of the Church. Active sub-groups include a Social Concerns Group and a Gun Violence Prevention group.

• Peace & Justice Committee
• Social Concerns Group
• Gun Violence Prevention group
• Direct service, advocacy, and Catholic social teaching education
• Contact: Tess Thapalia, [email protected]

Pastoral Outreach

A dedicated Pastoral Outreach ministry (staffed by Amy Walsh-Malamood and Natalie Criscione) accompanies parishioners in need of care, visitation, or connection — extending the parish's hospitality beyond the church building.

• Pastoral Outreach: Amy Walsh-Malamood
• Pastoral Outreach: Natalie Criscione
• Email: [email protected]

Music, Liturgy, and Volunteer Opportunities

Music and Liturgy at St. Vincent's is led by Marie Bernadett, supported by a Parish Life Director-led liturgical ministry program. The parish relies on volunteers for catechists, classroom aides, youth ministry team members, gate keepers, Children's Liturgy of the Word leaders, and special-event helpers. Anyone 16 or older who ministers to children or youth must complete VIRTUS training, a background check, and sign a Code of Conduct.

• Music & Liturgy: Marie Bernadett, [email protected]
• Liturgical Ministries coordinator: Meg McCarthy
• Catechist and classroom-aide roles (K-5)
• Youth Ministry Service Team and Youth Day facilitators
• Children's Liturgy of the Word prayer leaders (K-4)
• VIRTUS training required for adults working with minors

St. Vincent's Preschool

St. Vincent's Preschool operates out of the Parish Center at 984 Madison Avenue, with its own entrance from the parking lot. It is directed by Eileen Jaklitsch and is part of the parish's ministry to neighborhood families.

• Location: 984 Madison Avenue (enter via parking-lot door)
• Director: Eileen Jaklitsch, 518-482-5346
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.stvincentspreschool.com
• Teacher: Sarah Sheehan

Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved

Parish Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed 12:00-1:00 PM for lunch). The office phone is 518-489-5408 (fax 518-489-5474) and the general email is [email protected]. For after-hours pastoral emergencies, call 518-369-3502. Sacramental records can be requested online through the Contact page.

• Office: 900 Madison Avenue (at Partridge Street), Albany, NY 12208
• Phone: 518-489-5408 | Fax: 518-489-5474
• Office hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM - 3 PM (closed 12-1 PM)
• After-hours emergencies: 518-369-3502
• Parish Center / Preschool / Food Pantry: 984 Madison Avenue
• Sacramental records request available online