REIMAGINING ST. GABRIELS

Historical And Architectural Importance

The former St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church is located on the corner of Routes 86 & 30, across from the Paul Smith’s College campus. The land was donated to the diocese in the 1890s by Paul Smith, the Adirondack guide and popular entrepreneur, to provide a place of worship for the guests and staff of his hotel which was built at the site of what is now Paul Smith’s College. The church was constructed in 1896 but was closed in 2003. In 2020, legal ownership was granted to Paul Smith’s College. The architecture is unique and breathtaking. “The magnificently paneled hardwood interior is startling in its richness” (R. McGowan, Architecture from the Adirondack Foothills, 1977).

We Need Your Help

We are reaching out to our friends and neighbors for help in turning the historic St. Gabriel’s church into a non-denominational gathering space for campus and community events. We have a unique opportunity to preserve a local landmark and use it to showcase the rich history and culture of the area while offer opportunities that benefit summer and year around residents, visitors, and students at Paul Smith’s College.

Vision For The Future

The St. Gabriel’s renovation project is positioned as a signature gathering space for campus and community events. Its architecture and history add a key historical component to PSC and will offer new opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members. It will also provide a unique “sacred,” yet unaffiliated space that encourages “small” spiritual reflection on the natural world. This public space will offer a coffee & bake shop and host academic, artistic, and private events.

What Has To Be Done

Built in 1896 and abandoned since 2003, the historic building needs critical structural upgrades. These include a new roof, new basement, HVAC, drilled well, septic system, ADA-compliant bathroom, site work, lighting, and more.

Community Input

In the spring of 2021, graduate students in the sustainable communities track of the new PSC master’s program in natural resource management surveyed year-round residents and visitors asking for their thoughts on what should be done with St. Gabriel’s. The results were heavily in favor of a public performance space, studentrun coffee & bake shop, wedding venue, arts center, and historical museum. It is our sincere hope that St. Gabriel’s can be placed on the National Historic Registry.

How You Can Help

To secure the future of St. Gabriel’s as a college and community asset, $500,000 needs to be raised. Thanks to the generosity and vision of the Cloudsplitter Foundation, a lead gift commitment of $250,000 in matching funds has been made to support this community project. Your thoughtful contributions will now be doubled! To learn more, or to donate, please contact the Office of College Advancement at collegeadvancement@paulsmiths.edu.

Historical and contemporary pillars of the Adirondacks celebrated

Paul Smith’s College, after noting its 75th anniversary last summer, hosted a gala fundraising event on the college campus in August. The event, benefitting the College of the Adirondacks, was held in the Joan Weill Student Center and was themed to emulate the atmosphere that existed around 1900, a time when Apollos “Paul” Smith, with his wife Lydia Martin Smith, were the proprietors of one of the most famous resort hotels in North America.

The Adirondack Store in Lake Placid was enlisted to decorate the gala site with historic antiques from that era. Store owner Chris English owns a significant collection from the era, including Paul Smith’s personal walking cane.

It was a pleasure to be able to honor the Adirondack Foundation, whose work compliments the mission of the college. They have been supporting educational and economic opportunities for the residents of the Adirondacks for 25 years.

We are pleased to share that the gala helped to raise over $300,000 in scholarship aid for Paul Smith’s College. There were 162 guests in attendance. It is through this generosity that we can continue to provide experiential learning, train future leaders in sustainability, and expand our social and economic impact. Scholarship aid is important to most Paul Smith’s College students, as it often serves as a key piece of their educational funding. Together, with friends like you, we can provide a transformative experience to PSC students that lasts a lifetime.

THANK YOU!

A special note from Mallery Roberts, daughter of Alumni

John M. Roberts ’57

My father John M. Roberts is an alumni of Paul Smith’s. Born and raised in Montreal when my father was a young man he heard about a hotel school in the Adirondacks. He made his way across the border to meet with Dr. Buxton. Although he could not afford the tuition, Dr. Buxton was so impressed with the my father he made it possible for him to attend Paul Smith’s.

My father went on to Denver University and a brilliant career in hospitality eventually becoming a regional Vice President with the Sheraton Corporation. At the end of his career he returned to Saranac Lake to head the hotel training facility and manage the Hotel Saranac - at the time a property of the college. Please see Saranac News clipping attached.

My father is 86 years young. He and my mother have been married for 62 years. I am thrilled to accompany my father to Saranac Lake to attend your gala.

Dear Alumni,

When tasked with writing this message for the Sequel to all alumni, I fear that I won’t be able to connect with each of you on a more personal level. Yes, I am an alum, but our time at PSC as students may be like comparing apples to oranges. Or maybe more like comparing pine to birch. How can I possibly relate to you and your Smitty experience?

As a Hotel & Restaurant Management major, I did not interact with many folks in other degree programs. Having never lived on campus, I didn’t have roommates or 2 a.m. fire alarm activations. I was a nontraditional student and a few years older than those around me, making me feel more like everyone’s “mom” rather than their classmate. But then it occurred to me. We all have differences, from our chosen degree program to our hometown. Our favorite sport to our eye color. The way we chose to consume maple syrup (sugar on snow, anyone?) to our favorite time of year (Winter Carnival is the BEST!). The one thing we have in common is Paul Smith’s College.

PSC gave me a sense of belonging, a purpose…and it still does. Every time an alum stops by the office, I see that look of pure happiness on their face when they share a memory of their time here. When a new student talks about their first hike up St. Regis Mountain or a paddle on the lake, I remember my first time with great fondness too.

So, as much as I may not know about your personal experience at PSC, I do know that the community we had chosen to pursue our dream is still here. The programs may grow, the faces may change, but the Paul Smith’s experience remains.

Best wishes,

Heather Tuttle ’99 Alumni Relations Director

Alumni Board Of Directors

Matthew Purcell ’78, President

Daniel Richards ’89, 1st Vice President

Russell Wagner ’05, 2nd Vice President

Peter Frank ’83, Secretary

Maureen Morgan ’83, Treasurer

Darrell Austen ’94

Katharine Clemow ’05

John D’Adamo ’82

William Farnham ’98

Ashley Flynn ’21

Karen Frank ’83

Donald Jones ’00

Timothy McLaughlin ’02

Patrick Mercurio ’07

Terrence Murphy ’78

Pamela Nobles ’77

Patricia Pastella ’83

Andrew Quinn ’83

Christopher Reuther ’04

Emily Segada ’20

Jonathan Spaeth ’15

Andrea Urmston ’89

Scott van Laer ’93