Watervliet in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Saint Patrick's Church Bell
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, December 4, 2013
1. Saint Patrick's Church Bell Marker
The bell was manufactured by the Meneely Bell foundry of Watervliet for the former Saint Patrick's Church in 1906. They were the master bell maker at the time. Perched in the tower at an altitude of 125 feet, the bell could be heard throughout the city. Its sweet toned sound is in the key of Bb international pitch i.e.. the bass clef. The instrument weighing 11,000 pounds mounted is made of the purest metal, 78% copper and 22% tin. The bell, a gift from the Holy Name Society cost $3500. It was made and delivered within 60 days of the receipt of the order.
In 1890 the former St. Patrick's church located on the southwest corner of 23rd Street and 4th Avenue become totally inadequate for the number of parishioners. As a result, a new church was built on the north side of Ninteenth Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, a facsimile of the church at Lourdes, France
Heartfelt gratitude to the Nigro Companies and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish for donating the Saint Patrick's Bell to the Watervliet Historical Society. A special thanks also to Streck's Inc., Bonded Concrete, the City of
this page online
Erected 2013 by Watervliet Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 42° 43.57′ N, 73° 42.062′ W. Marker is in Watervliet, New York, in Albany County. It is at the intersection of 1st Avenue and 15th Street on 1st Avenue. The marker is next to the large bell at the front steps at the Watervliet Historical Society. The society is located at the Corner of 1st Avenue and 15th Street, just behind the Watervliet Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Watervliet NY 12189, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, in the Capital District, and in the Albany Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: North Dutch Reformed Church Bell (here, next to this marker); Civil War Parrott Rifle (within shouting distance of this marker); Meneely Bell Foundry (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Watervliet (within shouting distance of this marker); Meneely Foundry (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Those Who Served
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, December 4, 2013
2. Saint Patrick's Church Bell Marker
The marker is to the right of the bell.
Also see . . . The Watervliet Historical Society and Museum. Website homepage (Submitted on December 7, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Additional keywords. St Patrick's Watervliet church demolition
Courtesy of Watervliet Historical Society
3. Saint Patrick's Church Bell Marker Detail
Pictured above is George E. Hipwod, President of the Holy Names Society, who presented the bell for placement in St. Patrick's.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, December 4, 2013
4. Saint Patrick's Church Bell
The bell is on display in front of the Watervliet Historical Society.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, December 5, 2013
5. Saint Patrick's Church Bell - Lit at Night
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, December 4, 2013
6. Saint Patrick's Church Bell
This photo shows the embossed text on the bell, which says,
"Meneely & Co..West Troy, N.Y. 1906.
ST. PARTICK.
The writing is not an inscription, as lettering inscribed could induce a crack in the bell, thus bells are generally made with raised text.
ST. PARTICK.
The writing is not an inscription, as lettering inscribed could induce a crack in the bell, thus bells are generally made with raised text.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, December 4, 2013
7. Saint Patrick's Church Bell
The embossed text on this side of the bell reads as follows:
In Nomine Jesu Onme Genu
Flectatur Coelestium
Terrestrium Et Infernorum.
Presented to
St. Patricks Church
West Troy, Watervliet, N.Y.
By the
Holy Name Society.-
George E. Hipwood, Prest.,
Joseph T. Cavanaugh,
Francis Powers,
Secretaries.
Thomas F. McLoughlin, Treas.
Rev. W.F. Sheehan, M. R.. Pastor.
The Latin portion translates to "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth", from Philippians 2:10
Flectatur Coelestium
Terrestrium Et Infernorum.
Presented to
St. Patricks Church
West Troy, Watervliet, N.Y.
By the
Holy Name Society.-
George E. Hipwood, Prest.,
Joseph T. Cavanaugh,
Francis Powers,
Secretaries.
Thomas F. McLoughlin, Treas.
Rev. W.F. Sheehan, M. R.. Pastor.
The Latin portion translates to "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth", from Philippians 2:10
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, May 16, 2013
8. Saint Patrick's Church Demolition - 2013
A pair of photos from May 2013 shows the regrettable progress in the demolition of St. Patrick's church in Watervliet. The tower that held the bell was the last section of the edifice to be torn down. Later the adjacent parochial school associated with the church, along with a handful of residential buildings on the block, were leveled to make way for a new Price Chopper grocery store that was scheduled to be built on the site in 2014.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, circa June 2012
9. Saint Patrick's Church
The former Saint Patrick's Church in Watervliet
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,262 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on December 7, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
