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