Wilborn Temple First Church of God in Christ

Wilborn Temple is located on Jay, South Swan and Lancaster streets. When built in 1885, this stone Richardson Romanesque synagogue was Congregation Beth Emeth, the home of two Jewish congregations that were founded in the mid-19th century.^[3]

State architect Isaac Perry collaborated with a congregant, Adolph Fleischmann, on a design that echoed Albany's city hall, then newly built, in its rustication, hipped roof, massing around a corner tower and arched entryway with an inscription in English and Hebrew. Jews who had helped develop the surrounding blocks, later moved to the suburbs like other city residents, and in 1957 a new temple was built on Academy Road with the original stained glass.^[3]

The temple building on Jay Street was sold to a Christian church and became Wilborn Temple First Church of God in Christ.

Wilborn Temple is now^[when?] listed on the Center Square/Hudson-Park Historic District.^{[citation needed]}

Beginning in the 1930s, under the leadership of Elder Louis Parsons, “courageous” efforts were made to purchase land in the area in western Albany (presently known as the Pine Bush Preserve) to provide housing for those members new to the Albany South End and uncomfortable with its environment. The principal residents of the area were members of Albany's First Church of God in Christ. In September 2002, the Rapp Road Community was designated a New York State historic district and in January 2003 designated as a National Historic District. This was the first designation of its kind in New York State and possibly the nation.