Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

One of the defining parts of the Albany skyline for decades was dedicated on this day, Nov. 21, in 1852. Patrick C. Keely was the architect for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, for which the cornerstone was laid July 4, 1848. Now somewhat overshadowed by the gargantuan architecture of the Empire State Plaza, the Cathedral dominated its surroundings for more than a hundred years. In many panoramic photographs, it is a notable point of reference among a sea of two- and three-story rowhouses.