Church of the Holy Innocents 🇺🇸

Located on North Pearl Street roughly a half-mile north of downtown Albany, the former Church of the Holy Innocents offers a fascinating, historic stop for your travels. Built in the mid-19th century in an early Gothic Revival style designed by Frank Wills, this National Register-listed complex combines a main church and chapel connected by a small hyphen. As you approach, you will notice a surrounding small garden that lends the feel of an English country parish, even amidst its urban neighborhood.

The exterior features coursed rubble masonry trimmed in Portland stone, steep slate gable roofs, ivy-covered walls, and a distinctive green onion dome topped with an Orthodox cross from its time as a Russian Orthodox church. Inside, you will find restrained decor highlighted by wooden wainscoting, a beamed ceiling, a small wooden gallery, and preserved stained glass and grisaille windows designed by John Bolton. Screens and icons remain from its later congregation.

Though vacant and recognized as an endangered historic structure following a partial collapse, viewing this unique piece of Albany’s architectural heritage from the outside allows you to appreciate its English parish aesthetic, rich history, and striking blend of Gothic and Orthodox influences.

What to see at Church of the Holy Innocents

• Early Gothic Revival architecture designed by Frank Wills in the mid-19th century
• Distinctive green onion dome with an Orthodox cross added by a Russian Orthodox church
• Preserved stained glass and grisaille windows designed by John Bolton
• Charming small surrounding garden giving an English country parish atmosphere
• National Register of Historic Places site featuring coursed rubble masonry and slate roofs

Visiting tips

Since the vacant building suffered a partial collapse and is listed as an endangered structure, plan to admire its unique architecture and surrounding garden safely from the exterior.

How long: 30-60 minutes · Best time: Daylight hours

How to get there & what’s nearby

Church of the Holy Innocents is easy to reach on Albany’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Fort Orange and New York State Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Albany travel guide.