We shared the vintage postcard above on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page last Monday and invited our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia. Can you identify this Essex church (before looking at the title)? It’s St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, which stands just outside of the northern part of the Essex hamlet. It’s titled, “St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, Essex, N.Y.”–I’m sure that the R.C. stands for Roman Catholic.
The church was built mostly by volunteers and completed in 1873. It was built using locally quarried stone at a total cost of $9,000, and has been a place of worship for the towns of Essex and Willsboro ever since (and probably other parishioners travel to this church as well today). Learn more about the history of St. Joseph’s Church.
What changes can you see between this old photo and the church as it is today? I believe the circular road/driveway that encircles the church is missing, unless it is just unnoticeable from the angle the picture was taken? There are also several trees on the property today that are not present in the photo—they must have not been planted yet! Another missing feature is the paved sidewalk that extends to the church entry way from the road and the (future) driveway to the right. Does anyone remember when any of these additions were made?
With all of that (and perhaps other differences you notice), when do you think the photo was taken?
Related articles
- Vintage Postcard: Essex Bay (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: The Old Dock Coffee House, Essex, NY (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Essex Main Street Winter Scene (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: St. John’s Episcopal Church (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Sleigh Near Essex Community Church (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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