OLPLancaster at 158 Laverack Avenue, Lancaster, NY 14086 US - History of Our Lady of Pompeii

Our Lady of Pompeii Parish has grown from a small mission church into an active, thriving part of the community. Her history of expansion and growth attests to a committment to serve all the parishioners.

In 1909, an Italian Mission Church of St. Mary's of the Assumption Church in Lancaster, N.Y. was established to satisfy the particular spiritual needs of the Italian immigrants who came the Lancaster-Depew area.

The Mission Church was officially dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Nelson Baker, Vicar General of the Diocese, on March 14th. It was given the name "Our Lady of Pompeii," honoring our Blessed Mother under the same title as the world famous shrine in Pompeii, Italy.

A modest church with a seating capacity of 125 was built on the corner of Laverack and Cowing Streets, but as the congregation increased, the church was lengthened and entirely renovated to better serve the needs of the parishioners.

In 1932, Our Lady of Pompeii Mission Church became a parish church and the Rev. Leo Pulling, at the time an assistant pastor of St. Mary's, was appointed its first pastor.

After a fire broke out in 1934, causing considerable damage, the Church was repaired and repainted, with side extensions added to better accomodate parishioners.

On June 12, 1942, the second pastor, Rev. Alfonso J. Bernardo, was appointed by Bishop John Duffy. Under Rev. Bernardo's leadership, the Church underwent an interior face lifting and property was purchased across the street on Laverack Avenue for future expansion. During the war years, the Parish grew to over 300 families. It was apparent that the congregation was outgrowing its current facilities, and in 1949 the Parish Records stated, "We hope in the near future to accommodate the increasing number of families by building a new Church." This task was undertaken in 1953. The sandstone building was built following the general plan of its namesake, the Shrine of Pompeii, Italy. A school and convent were completed in 1960, and in 1963 Msgr. Bernardo moved into the new rectory. The Parish could now offer complete religious and educational services to her parishioners, and continues to do so today.