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History of St. Mary's

- Who We Are

History of St. Mary's Church, Canandaigua
- 1818 - Traveling Roman Catholic priests preached in the Village of Canandaigua
- 1830 - Rev. Michael McNamara from St. Patrick's visited Canandaigua
  
  He found approximately 15 Catholic families residing here at that time.
- Spring 1843 - First Catholic Mass recorded in Canandaigua at the home of Patrick Doyle on Antis St.
- 1844 - Land purchased for first St. Mary's Church. Deed is dated October 16, 1844.
  
  Located on property purchased from Thomas Beals, St. Mary's Church was constructed on the corner of Saltonstall and South Main at a cost of $2000.
- 1844 - Rev. Bernard and William O'Reilly, brothers, said Masses
  
  They came from St. Patrick Church in Rochester. Rev. Bernard O'Reilly later became the Bishop in Hartford, Connecticut
- 1846 - Construction of the first St. Mary's Church completed
  
  The cornerstone of the first church read 1844, and it was completed in 1846.
- 1948 - Rev. Patrick Bradley said Masses
  
  He came from St. Stephen's Church in Geneva
- Rev. Edmond O'Connor, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1849-1858. He was the first pastor appointed to St. Mary's Church and held Mass in the still newly constructed church on the corner of South Main and Saltonstall
- 1854-Four Sisters of St. Joseph set up a convent near St. Mary's Church
  
  The convent was located in a house on Saltonstall Street and was also used as a boarding school and orphanage. They taught in the basement.
- Rev. Charles McMullen, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1858-1859
- Rev. Michael Purcell, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1859-1860
- Rev. James M. Early, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1860-1862
- Rev. Joseph McKenna, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1862-1868
- 1865 - Church membership grew and the need for a larger church and school became a priority
- Rev. Dennis English, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1868-1901
- 1873 - The old J. Albert Granger property was purchased by Fr. English
  
  Plans for construction of a new church waited until the debt of this purchase, located on the corner of North Main and Gibson Streets, was complete. Rumor has it that Granger sold the property because he didn't like the horse stalls across the street
- 1880 - The first part of the present St. Mary's School was built
- 1880 - The original Granger residence was made into a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph
  
  This building is the current Parish Administration Center (PAC)
- Rev. James T. Dougherty, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1901-1921
- 1903 - Construction for the existing St. Mary's Church began
- 1905 - Construction of St. Mary's Church was completed
- 1905 - The church was dedicated on December 17
- 1908 - The present rectory was built by Fr. Dougherty
- 1910 - An addition was added to St. Mary's School by Fr. Dougherty
- Rev. William H. D'Arcy, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1921-1927
- Rev. Michael C. J. Wall, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1928-1953
- 1930 - The High Altar was consecrated by Bishop O'Hern on May 9th
- 1935 - The basement of the Church was renovated and a new hall was added
- 1936 - Westminster Chimes were added to the bells
  
  On June 5, 1936, Archbishop Mooney blessed the bells: Michael, Holy Innocents, Joseph, and Queen of Mt. Carmel
- Rev. Alphonsus P. Crimmens, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1953-1965
- 1950s - Artistic restorations of the church
  
  Much of the work was completed by artist and St. Mary's parishioner, Walter O'Brien
- 1955 - New Wurlitizer electric organ replaced the pipe organ installed in 1915
- 1957 - Bishop Kearney gave permission to enlarge the school yet again
- Rev. William F. Nolan, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1965-1972
- Rev. William G. Charbonneau, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1972-1975
- Rev. Msgr. William Roche, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1975-1982
- Rev. James C. Burke, Pastor of St.Mary's Church
  
  1982-1990
- 1986 - A renovation took place for the interior of the church
- Rev. Walter L. Wainwright, Pastor of St. Mary's Church
  
  1990-2000
- 1990 - New pipe organ installed in September to replace the electric organ
  
  The organ was blessed on October 21 and was dedicated to Fr. William Nolan
- 1991 - The Sisters of St. Joseph left the parish
- 1990s - 2000, Millenium Project - Restoration work completed on St. Mary's Campus
  
  Pews refinished, waterproofing of the exterior Medina stone, new side exterior oak doors, new metal railings, reconstruction of the parking lot. Granger house converted to Parish Administration Center. Church hall renovated, elevator added
- Rev. Thomas P. Mull, Pastor
  
  2000-2013 (Pastor of St. Mary's Church from 2000-2007 and then St. Benedict Parish from 2007-2013)
- 2002 - Parish hall dedicated and named Dougherty Hall on May 19
- 2003 - Choir loft renovation
  
  New flooring, lighting, and safety railings were added. Platforms at different levels were included to accommodate the adult, children's, and bell choirs at the time
- 2005 - The Daily Mass Chapel was named Halloran Chapel
  
  In June 2005, Parish Council voted on the name change in honor of Fr. Emmett J. Halloran, who died in St. Mary's Rectory on March 21, 2004
- 2007 - St. Benedict Parish established
  
  St. Mary's Church in Canandaigua and St. Bridget's Church in Bloomfield became clustered
- Rev. Stanley Kacprzak, Pastor of St. Benedict Parish
  
  2013-2017
- Rev. Michael Costik, Pastor of St. Benedict Parish
  
  2017-present
- 2019 - A major restoration project took place
  
  The interior of the church was painted, with much of the original art work and stenciling restored, two new confessionals built, new floors and pews