Grand Opening of the New Community Mausoleum- Mary Immaculate, Patroness of America at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery

In a beautiful ceremony filled by over 100 members from the local community and beyond, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger dedicated and blessed the new Mary Immaculate, Patroness of America community mausoleum at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna, NY on Thursday, November 30^th, 2017. The dedication attracted guests from as far away as Minnesota, Florida and Rhode Island.

The decision to build was made to better serve the families of New York’s Capital Region because of dwindling inventory and lack of preferred side by side or in & over crypt types. It also features companion and glass front niches for cremation options. In total, the new mausoleum contains 992 crypt spaces and 704 niche spaces. The mausoleum was built by Coldspring Memorial of Coldspring, Minnesota.

The Adirondack themed mausoleum visible from Troy Rd (Rte. 7) was designed by Karl Griffith of Griffith Dardanelli Architects PC of Schenectady, and is reminiscent of the style of famed local architect and conservationist Paul Schaefer. Born in September of 1908, Schaefer was raised along the Mohawk River in Schenectady, NY. He died in 1996 at the age of 87 and was well known for designing rustic buildings that blend well with the natural environment. Paul designed and built several hundred homes in the Schenectady area, including his own a stone structure at 897 St. David’s Lane which is now owned by Union College. Schaefer was recognized in 1998 by Audubon magazine as one of the nation’s 100 top conservationists of the twentieth century.

The mausoleum’s feature accent wall is a breathtaking 16’ x 18’ stained glass window depicting the Tree of Life with the Risen Christ, created by Conrad Pickel Studio, Inc. of Florida. Conrad Pickel and a studio artist who worked on the stained glass came all the way from Florida to attend the dedication and see the works of art installed! The stained glass window was designed to achieve a dignified beautiful atmosphere and to harmonize with the architecture. The company has created stained glass works for many of the finest churches, cathedrals and cemeteries. One commission, the Resurrection Mausoleum in Chicago, IL, is the world’s largest stained glass window according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Pickel Studio also created two 4′ x 8′ Italian mosaics of Mary:  The Patroness of America (left), and The Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In a tribute to our Adirondack martyrs, Hudson Valley iconographer and artist Christine Simoneau Hales created two 4′ x 8′ panels of St. Kateri Tekakwitha and St. Isaac Jogues. All four features are centered above gorgeous wooden mantlepieces with scriptural passages, designed and carved by local artist Jim Lewis who also attended the dedication.

Photos of the dedication as well as the construction progress can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/AlbanyDiocesanCemeteries/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1477909385610251

To discuss crypt or niche availability, pre-need options or arrangements, marker or monument design or other services please contact us: (518) 374-5319  or   [email protected]