St. Mary's Church at P.O. Box 609, Massena, NY 13662 US - St. Mary's History

St. Mary's Parish Massena, New York Shortly after the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the aluminum industry in Massena began to expand and workmen with their families arrived from all directions, greatly enlarging the population. The Rev. Timothy Holland, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church realized that growth in population had increased the spiritual needs and he secured the services of an assistant. In 1915 he organized St. Mary's as a separate parish with the approval of the Rt. Rev. Henry Gabriels, D.D., Bishop of Ogdensbur. An office building on Liberty Ave. in the Pine Grove section, owned by the Aluminum Company of America. The Mission Parish of St. Mary's was served throughout this time by the Priests of Sacred Heart Church. In the year 1919 the mission of St.Mary's was a separate parish and the Rev. John M. Bellamy was appointed the first pastor. Fr. Bellamy was ordained on June 13, 1913 in Louvain, Belgium. He was assigned after ordination as an assistant to Holy Family Church, Watertown, of which the late Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.R. Burns, V.F. was pastor. He served there until the early part of 1918 when he became a chaplain in the Army. In France he was assigned to a base hospital at Herhoun, outside of Brent where he served ten months with distinction. Upon his return from service overseas in 1919, he received his appointment as pastor of the new parish. Zealous and energetic, Fr. Bellamy united and rallied the people. The parish was then and at present still is made up of many nationalities. Plans were made to erect a new and permanent Church building, and property was secured on Willow Street between Woodlawn and Somerset Avenues. At the same time a brick building at 22 Cornell Ave. was secured to serve as the rectory for the new parish. Later it was decided to build on Sycamore Street and property was secured at 7 and 9 Sycamore Street for the purpose and disposal was made of the property on Willow St. Ground was broken for the construction of the new church in November of 1919. Progress was slow at first because of the lack of materials and other difficulties so the actual construction did not start until the spring of 1920. On May 6th, 1920 the Rt. Rev. Bishop Gabriels granted permission to Fr. Bellamy to purchase the house east of the church at 11 Sycamore St. and the house directly in the rear of same at 107 Cornell Ave. for an estimated value of $7,600.00. He also granted permission to dispose of the building used as a rectory at 22 Cornell Ave. The house on Sycamore thereafter was used as the rectory and the second building was used as a convent. On August 15, 1920 the corner stone of the new building was set in place by the Right Rev. Joseph H. Conroy, D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese. The new church of tapestry brick and steel was erected at a cost of about $80,000.00 and was 114 feet long and 65 feet wide. It consisted of three levels: a basement used as a gymnasium and auditorium; the main floor used as a church; and in time the second floor was prepared for classroom purposes. The building was so designed that in time it could be used entirely for schoo purpose. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on Christmas of 1920. During the construction of the church, the Sisters of Mercy from Brasher Falls (St. Joseph's Academy)came weekly for the religious instruction of the children in the new parish. In 1923 the parochial school of St. Mary's was opened. Three rooms were utilized for the first two grades and music lessons. Three Sisters of Mercy, Mother Loyola, the Superior who taught the second grade; Sister Dominic, the first grade; & Sister Regina, music, comprised the staff. In 1925 the home next to the convent owned by Mr. Thomas O'Brien was purchased for additional room. Each year thereafter a new classroom was added until there were six classrooms on the second floor of the church building. In 1929 the Servants of Mary replaced the Sisters of Mercy, with Mother Mary Amadeus as principal of St. Mary's School. As time went on the parish grew in population. During the depression period, difficult situations arose. However under the guidance of its able pastor, St. Mary's flourished. The Social Hall was the center of many activities. Through these means, Fr. Bellamy was able to overcome the many difficult circumstances occasioned by the depression. Many enterprises fostered by him during that time are well remembered. It is difficult to say which stand out foremost, but certainly the fame of St. Mary's boxing boys will never be forgotten. They were a group of more than twenty boys ranging in age from five to ten years, who boxed, staged battle royals, sang, danced and did various athletic stunts. They traveled by bus to many different and distant points. Many remember still the blackeyes, stomachaches, and various other incidents. The assistant to Fr. Bellamy during this period (1927-1932) was the Rev. Thomas Hurley, now long dead, but whose memory is dear in St. Mary's Parish. His zeal, energy and leadership are still pleasant topics of conversation. He was most active in the organizing and training of such groups as the boxing boys, the band, a boys choir and many other activities in addition to his regular parish duties. In 1936 and 1937 two additional smaller classrooms were remodeled on the second floor in addition to the six in use. In June 1938 the first graduation exercises were held. During the year 1940, a separate frame school building was erected on Cornell Ave. near Spruce Street. It consisted of two classrooms and a large room for use as an extra hall. This was known as the little school or annex inasmuch as it was used for the small children of the first two grades. The smaller rooms vacated by the seventh and eighth grades were utilized thereafter as science and music classrooms. During the first twenty-nine years of the parish Fr. Bellamy was pastor. There were however, during that time two administrators who cared for the parish while Fr. Bellamy served as Chaplain in the second World War. They were Rev. Benjamin Staie-appointed in May 1942 until February 1946 and Rev. Donald M. Kelly from February 1946 until July 1946 when Fr. Bellamy returned from the armed forces. Fr. Bellamy was transferred in September 1948 to assume the responsibilities as pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Massena. The Reverend Harold J. Martin, Pastor of St. Raphael's Church, Heuvelton, was appointed pastor of St. Mary's. Fr. Martin's pastorate continued until August 5, 1950, when he was appointed to St. Mary's Church, Canton, and Dean of St. Lawrence County. During the two years of his pastorate, he endeared himself to all with his priestly zeal and kindness. The Rev. Joseph P. Heslin, Pastor of St. Peter and Paul in Mineville, was appointed to succeed, Father Martin. Shortly after his appointment, Fr. Heslin was directed to study the matter of a building program for St. Mary's. This entailed considerable correspondence, travel, consultations regarding real estate, location of sites, types of building construction, methods of financing and legal conferences for a period of over two years. In the summer of 1951, the school children of St. Mary's adopted uniform wearing apparel in school; the girls with white blouses and blue jumpers with schoo emblems, the boys, blue shirts and blue ties. The result has been a very neat and orderly appearance among the student body of St. Mary's School. Towards the end of the school year 1952, word was received that the Servants of Mary, having taught in St. Mary's Parochial grade school for twenty-three years, would no longer teach in St. Mary's because of the shortage of vocations and great distance from their Mother House and other missions. At the time Mother M. Dorothea was Superior and Principal. A farewell reception was held for the Nuns in the Social Hall on June 18th as a token of appreciation for the many years of teaching and working in the parish. In September of the same year, the Sisters of St. Joseph, whose Motherhouse is located in Watertown, arrived at the Convent and assumed teaching and other duties in the parish. Mother M. Evarista, Superior and Principal, and six other Nuns comprised the staff. Shortly after the opening of the school year a parish reception was held on September 16th to welcome the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mother Mary Anne, Superior of the Community, was present for the occasion. In January 1953, plans were announced for an extensive building program. The plans included new convent accomodations, new church and rectory, separate furnace building, together with the remodeling of the existing church into classrooms. In February 1953 the first Parish Monthly bulletin was published. This bulletin was started to afford parishioners a more comprehensive summary of parochial news and events of the month. An interesting item in this first issue notes the fact that the parochial school pupils had already begun their "brick" project and supplied $480.00 or 4,800 bricks. The leaders in the project on this bulletin were: Marsha Solar, $33.40; Joseph Trimboli $17.90; Rosaline Perry, $15.00 and Gail Slyman $11.00. Until the summer of 1953, the Convent and Sister's chapel had been housed in the two small houses previously mentioned. The accomodations were badly in need of extensive repairs and had become quite inadequate. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Smith, located next to the main church-school building on Sycamore St. was purchased June 18, 1953 for a cost of $15,000. The larger of the old convent buildings was moved from its location on Cornell Ave. to a position directly in the rear of the Smith house, making the two houses one. The convent has comfortable accomodations for 15 Nuns, with a beautiful chapel, two reception rooms, dining room, kitchen, recreation hall and laundry. The new enlarged convent was opened to the public for inspection on December 4, 1953. Four months later on April 25, 1954, official announcement was made that the contracts for the new church and rectory building program, with episcopal approval, had been signed and awarded. The contracts awarded were as follows: General Contract-John J. Harvey Co., Utica, NY. Plumbing Contract - Ryan Plumbing & Heating Co, Inc. Watertown, NY Electrical Contract - Barber Electric, Evans Mills, NY Early in May the rectory that had been the home of the parish priests since 1920 was vacated. The work of tearing it down began almost immediately. At the same time of the church building program, the Federal Seaway and the New York State Power Projects on the St. Lawrence River got under way. This almost instantly caused a housing shortage in the Massena area. It was impossible to find a suitable building for rectory purposes during the church building program. As a result three bedrooms were rented at 38 Beach St. The former science room of the school was also taken over as a living room, bedroom and workroom for one assistant. Office equipment and records were kept in the science room, the basement kitchen of the social hall and in the basement of the convent. Ground Breaking Ceremonies for the new church, located on the site of the old rectory, took place on May 30, 1954 at 2:30 PM with the Most Rev. Walter P. Kellenberg, D.D. officiating. Anthony Viskovich, president of the Holy Name Society, acted as chairman of the occasion, and the members of the Holy Name Society acted as honor guard for the Bishop. Mr. Stowell Fournia, Mayor of Massena, delivered a welcome address and congratulated the parishioners and friends on the auspicious occasion. The Rev. Cornelius A. Collins, Pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Bombay and former assistant at St. Mary's gave the principal address. The Most Rev. Walter P. Kellenberg, D.D. addressed the assembly and then blessed the ground on which the new church was to rise. Thereafter he dug several spadefuls of earth to mark the official opening of the work. Two boys and two girls, who were leaders in the children's brick project were to represent the students in assisting His Excellency. They were Michael Barry and Robert Slyman; Marsha Solar and Gordyne Ashley. Priests from nearby parishes took part in the ceremonies. Many Nuns from different convents also were in attendance. The ladies of the League of Sacred Heart and the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin participated. The parochial school grade pupils smartly dressed in their school uniforms rendered the vocal music throughout all the ceremonies. Services were condluded in the church with Pontifical Benediction. The pupils of St. Mary's School (Fr. Heslin's Petunias) are a source of great pride to the parish. In 1953 they undertook a "brick" project whereby the supplied the bricks for the new church (over thirty-five thousand) at ten cents a brick. In the course of time they set out on a second project, an Infant of Prague Shrine Chapel under the main altar, for which they raised over $1,000. When this was completed, they set out on a third project and completed same, $1,000. staine glass window (the Nativity) in the nave of the church. It is well to note that the parishioners of St. Mary's have always been a parish of working people, with few professional and business people. There are very many families where the fathers have to work at two occupations; others where both fathers and mothers, and children have to work. As a consequence the efforts of the parishioners in behalf of their new church are that much more commendable. The Holy Name Society embarked on a project and donated the Shrine Altar and Statue of St. Joseph, patron of the working man at a cost of $2,500.00. At a later date they completed another project, and donated the stained glass window ($1,000.00) behind their shrine altar, portraying the Holy Family in St. Joseph's workshop, The ladies of the League of the Sacred Heart set up a project for themselves, whereby they donated the Sacred Heart Altar and Statue at a cost of $2,500.00. At a later date they also donated a $1,000.00 stained glass window (Crucifixion) in the nave. The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin (Society for Young People of High School age) has subscribed for a stained glass window ($1,000.00) in the nave. They have selected the window depicting the Annunciation. On Oct. 14, 1954 the Most Rev. Bishop Kellenburg conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation to 169 candidates, the last class in the old St. Mary's Church, Ascension Thursday, May 19, 1955,marked the occasion of evening Mass at 5:15 PM in addition to the regular morning Masses. The evening Mass on Holy Days has since become a regular service. On Sunday, June 5, 1955, Fr. Heslin administered First Holy communion to the last class to receive in the old church. In late September of 1955, the new rectory was sufficiently completed for the parish priests to move in. Although the new church was by no means completed, permission was requested and granted by His Excellency to celebrate the Christmas Masses in the new church. This coincided with the date that Mass was first celebrated in the old church, then not completed in 1920. The officers at the Solemn Midnight Mass were Rev. Joseph P. Heslin, Celebrant; Rev. James J. Ruddy, Deacon; and Rev. Paul E. Whitmore, Sub-Deacon, Rev. William Murphy, C.Ss.R and Ronald Rolls, C.Ss. R. assisted at all Christmas serves. Ronald Pratt and Ronald Brabant, students of the parish at Wadhams Hall, the Minor Seminary, were present at the services. Masses on Christmas day were also celebrated in the new church. The church remained open for visitors that day (which was Sunday) and Monday. All who attended services and visited the church were deeply impressed with the simple beauty, richness and devotional atmosphere. Since that time, services have been conducted as usual in the Old Church. Detailed work was resumed and various installations have been accomplished. On several occasions the new Church was opened to permit visitors to see the progress of the work. At least five thousand people availed themselves of the opportunity. As a result, all have been looking forward with great joy to the day of the Dedication, Decoration Day, May 30th 1956 by His Excellency, The Most Rev. Walter P. Kellenberg, D.D. Bishop of Ogdensburg. THE NEW ST. MARY'S CHURCH "Through Mary to Christ" is the theme of the new St. Mary's Church. Approaching the church from Cornell Avenue there is visible an outstanding beautiful marble statue of Our Lady of Grace with arms outstretched in gentle invitation reminding all that she is the Gateway to the Sacraments. The main church is approximately 150 feet long, 62 feet wide in the nave and 78 feet wide in the transept to seat a minimum of 790. The construction is steel beams and concrete block faced with brick, except inside the sanctuary, where the walls are plaster. This is true also of the inside walls of the priest's sacristy, choir room and soundproof room. Over the inner front entrance doors of the church, a beautiful rose colored stained glass window, oval in shape, portrays Our Lady of Grace. It is so constructed as to appear like a halo to the statue over the outer entrance doors. Thus the theme, upon entrance to and departure from the new St. Mary's, is the same - Mary - the Gateway to Christ and the Sacraments. Church and rectory are heated from a separate furnace building in which there are two 80 H.P. units. FROM PARISH RECORDS FIRST BAPTISM RECORDED Elizabeth Rox Hudak Aug. 10th, 1919 - Mr. & Mrs. Peter Hudak by Rev. John M. Bellamy FIRST DEATH Mrs. Harriet Rivers - 55 Aug. 11th, 1919 FIRST MARRIAGE CEREMONY Clayton J. Langlois - Margaret M. Tourow - Sept. 29th, 1919 Witnesses - Charles Wyman - Ruth Pratt FIRST RECORD OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS May 22nd, 1921 FIRST CONFIRMATION CLASS June 5th, 1921 Rt. Rev. Joseph H. Conroy, D.D.Admiistered Confirmation

(Back)