A History of Saint Stephen's

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St. Stephen's had its beginning in the early part of this century when a need for a Sunday School and worship services on the eastern edge of Schenectady was recognized. After many years of planning, the first service was held on November 18, 1928, in a store on Union Street near Palmer Avenue. The Rev. George Bambach, then rector of St. George's Church, celebrated Holy Communion.

Under the hard working direction of Father Bambach, the then St. George's Chapel began taking shape. In 1931, six lots with a three story dwelling house on the Plaza were purchased and used as a Chapel and Parish House for many years. (Click here to see Keith Nelson's pictures and comments on the church in Dorset, England, on which St. Stephen's was modeled.)

With the growth of the congregation, ground was broken on June 27, 1947, for a new church, incorporated the next month as St. Stephen's Church. The Rev. Tom Moss was Rector, and under his leadership our present buildings were constructed.

A Parish Hall was added to the back of the nave in 1957, and the Rectory was built next to the church shortly thereafter. Throughout this time of building frequent luncheons, dinners and other fundraising activities were held, so that all debts were paid and the mortgage burned in 1969.

The parish spent most of its energy in the 1950's and 1960's building the structures of the church. After this, the congregation directed its time, talent and treasure toward seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves. In the 1970's a Mission and Ministry Committee was formed to help the parish to express its concern about the community around us and to help fulfill our Baptismal Covenenant: striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being.

In the 1970's the need for remodeling and rearrangement was recognized, particularly to accommodate the physically impaired for a Senior Meals Program and a The Plaza Nursery School. It was also at this time that Saint Stephen's joined the The Schenectady Inner City Ministry, a coalition of 52 Christian congregations which pool people and resources of member churches to act as a focus for social action in the Schenectady area. Our congregation became involved in several of SICM's projects.

Saint Stephen's helped to begin the Damien Center which provides care for people living with AIDS through a living room type drop-in center, through socializing opportunities at monthly dinners, and through education by an improvisational youth theater group. Saint Stephen's volunteers listen, interact and otherwise make guests feel at home. Members of the congreation have also prepared and served many dinners for the guests.

Also a part of SICM is the Emergency Food Pantry which provides temporary assistance to households in need in our Schenectady County. St. Stephen's collects food each Sunday morning in baskets in the narthex (entrance way). The food is carried up to the altar as an offering to God, and is taken to the Pantry later in the week. Also, each year members from Saint Stephen's walk 10 kilometers in the Crop Walk. Thousands of dollars have been raised, part of which stays in Schenectady County and the other to help fight hunger globally.

For several years, St. Stephen's Church has been involved in ministry with the women inmates in the Schenectady County Jail. Morning Prayer is read once a week, led by a parishioner. The Eucharist is offered when a deacon or the rector is available. The women are included in our prayers each week in the church, and they in turn pray for parishioners. St. Stephen's helps to meet other needs of the inmates including running errands, and providing stamps, and writing materials.

St. Stephen's Youth Groups have also been active in helping those beyond our congregation. They have the reputation as good painters and have painted the interior of the Community Building at Beaver Cross Church Camp, and the interior of a small church in the Adirondacks. In 1995 they travel to Kentucky spending a week in helping those who live in Appalachia, and in 1996 they spent a week building a wheel chair ramp for the AIDS drop-in center.

Constructing the church buildings and serving the community have been important activities of the congregation in its almost 70 year existence, however worshipping God has been the most consistent and most important single activity.