Situated behind Albany’s neo-gothic Cathedral of All Saints (the central church of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany and the seat of the Episcopal Bishop of Albany) is the similarly styled Guild House.
Built in 1902 as an immigrant settlement house and school, it has fallen into disrepair over the years and now is in dire need of rehabilitation to bring it back to its former glory – and return it to providing space for much-needed social services.
Now the Preservation League of New York State has announced the inclusion of the Guild House to their 2025-2026 Seven to Save list. The League’s Seven to Save program helps draw attention to some of the most important at-risk historic places across New York State.
Reverend Leander Harding, Dean of the Cathedral of All Saints, thanked the League “for this critical recognition of the Guild House’s vulnerable condition and the urgency of saving it for future generations. The Guild House is emblematic of the fragile state of too many of New York’s historic structures. Sitting alongside one of the state’s great Cathedrals – and in the shadow of the State Capitol – the Guild House represents the opportunity for renewal and restoration of our historic heritage.”
“Albany’s Guild House was built to support some of the most vulnerable members of the community, and after 50 years of vacancy, we look forward to seeing it serve that mission again,” said Caitlin Meives, Director of Preservation for the Preservation League of NYS. “
The League hopes to partner with local stakeholders invested in making the Guild House a vibrant community asset once again. They hope its restoration can serve as a model for similar buildings throughout the state, where investing in underutilized buildings directly supports community members in need.
“The Cathedral leadership identified the support of the Preservation League as a key element in elevating public awareness of the Guild House’s fragile state and the imperative of saving it,” said Dean Harding.
The Cathedral is establishing several programs to assist the surrounding community, including child and adult literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) for recently arrived immigrants, with the intent of hosting these programs in a restored Guild House.
“The Cathedral serves an adjacent Arbor Hill neighborhood that is in particular need of the services a restored Guild House will provide,” Harding said.
Inclusion on the League’s Seven to Save list will enhance community outreach and increase public visibility of the Guild House. Supporting this collaborative effort will visibly demonstrate to legislators and policymakers – who work just a block away at the NYS Capitol – the value of continued investment in historic preservation
The Preservation League of New York State’s Seven to Save list highlights New York’s most endangered historic sites. Inclusion on the list offers wider visibility, assistance with advocacy, and technical services.
Illustration: Aerial image showing how the Guild House is situated behind Albany’s Cathedral of All Saints and next to the State Education Building (photo by John Zagame, Preservation League of NYS).
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