St Josephs Place - Rochester, NY
Posted by: 
sagefemme
N 43° 09.560 W 077° 36.392
18T E 288090 N 4781807
The belltower and entrance facade are virtually all that remain of the preserved ruins of this Roman Catholic Church.
Waymark Code: WMDQWZ
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 02/16/2012
Views: 2
I'm reluctant to list bell towers as something seperate from "bells" in an active church that has the potential to be cross-listed in a dozen categories. For this waymark submission, however, the belltower and the facade are all that is left... except to say that there is a story available regarding this churches history. The site has been preserved, with plaques and signs offering a self guided tour. Do take the time to visit, if you are in the area!
"The fire destroyed the church, except for the tower and walls in October 1974, forcing the parish to abandon the ruin. The Landmark Society of Western New York, the State University College at Brockport, city officials, members of the Downtown Development Corporation, and the original Roman Catholic religious order all supported preserving the bell tower and three extant bays (front facade) as a monument encased in a park, named St. Joseph’s Park. The conversion was carried out by Landmark Society of Western New York in 1980." (
visit link)
"Methodical George Eastman, driving each morning from his... East Avenue mansion, would glace at the tower on Franlkin Street to check his watch...One monring, watch in hand, (after the tower clock's hands had been stopped by an accumulation of years of grime), he fumed into the Rectory and agreed, if necessary, to pay for the tower-clock's repair. 'It's as much a part of Rochester as - as cameras!' he snapped 'It's a landmark! A public service that must be preserved" (
visit link)