Saint Michael’s S~h00l
St. Michael’s Parochial School was dedicated in 1882 and staffed
by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester. Over the years it has sent
forth graduates well-founded in the faith and in the secular studies
prescribed by law. It continues to be an educational force in the com
munity.
Saint Michael’s Convent
St. Michael’s Convent was opened during the pastorate of Rev.
Bernard Gommenginger. It provided a fitting home for the Sisters
who have been in charge of the Parish School.
Saint Michael’s Parish Hall
St. Michael’s Parish Hall was built in 1931 when the work of ex
tensive Parish improvements was undertaken. Over the past two dec
ades the wisdom of this project has been seen over and over. It has
become in the last few years a Community Center for our youth where
they may gather for wholesome recreation. It has seen the gatherings
of members of the parish for many years and has been a force in
bringing the Catholics of the community into a closer and stronger
parochial spirit.
Saint Michael’s Parish Playground
One of the most recent parish projects that has been fostered by
the people of St. Michael’s Parish is the development of a parish play
ground. The area behind the parish school has been equipped with
the best and most appealing playground facilities and has been opened
to all of the children of our community. It was due to the tireless
efforts of Father Bisky and the interest of all of the people of Penn
Yan that the parish playground became the center of youth activity
and a source of sound training for the young people of the area.
The Story of Saint Michae1~ church
The story of Catholicism in Yates county and the surrounding
area could never be epitomized in the history of one hundred years.
For long before the founding of St. Michael’s Parish in Penn Yan the
doctrines of Catholicism had been brought to the Seneca and Keuka
territory by Missionaries. These men had braved the wilderness and
the vast expanse of the inner country. As early as 1786 two French
Catholic settlers had moved into the section, and Catholic services
were held from time to time in their homes. By the time that the vil
lage of Penn Yan came into existence the influx of Catholic settlers
began. By the year 1847, 15 Catholic families were living in the vil
lage. When the number of families increased to that number, Fathers
Bradley and O’Flaherty came from Geneva to celebrate Mass. Thomas
Hendrick, one of the leading Catholics of the day, opened his home
to the Faithful and thus gave impetus to the Catholic life of the sec
tion. Mr. Hendrick was also responsible in great measure for the erec
tion of the first Catholic Church in Penn Yan.
With the permission of Bishop Timon of Buffalo, the Catholics
began a campaign for funds in order to erect a permanent building
where they might worship. Abraham Wagener donated a site in Pine
street. The humble building that was erected as the first St. Michael’s
Church began at once to be the center of Catholicity. When the build
ing was completed, the Bishop appointed the first resident pastor, Rev.
Michael Gilbride. There is still clearly written on the first page of the
Baptismal Register these words:
“I hereby certify that I became Pastor of the
mission embracing Penn Yan, Yates County..
the twenty-sixth day of September, 1850.”
.
on
Michael Gilbride, Pastor.
The chronicle of the first fifty years of St. Michael’s Church can
not be written entirely on paper. The magnificence of that history is
rather inscribed on the hearts and in the souls of those who have
drunk deeply wells of grace which flowed from this center of Catholic
Faith.
of Rochester
and had
its Bishop
of newly-established
the mightiest of the
earl
In 1868 Penn
Yanforbecame
part one
of the
Dioces
American Bishops, Bernard
J.
McQuaid. Bishop McQuaid will always
be remembered for his vigorous development of this new Dioce e. St.
Michael’s Parish early responded to the Bishop’s plea for Catholic
schools. In 1882 a new school was erected and staffed by the Sisters of
St. Joseph from Rochester. It began at once to be the important influ
ence in the community that the Bishop had predicted.
In the year 1900 when the Golden Jubilee of the Parish was at
hand, the original number of 13 families had grown to 300 and Catho
licity had assumed an important role in Penn Yan. The Parish ha
come to a size that demanded a larger Church. Under the direction of
‘
the Rev. Martin Hendrick, a new site was chosen in Liberty street and
the present Church went up—a monument to the Faith and a worthy
building for the worship of God. In 1901 the cornerstone was laid and
the following year with much pomp and ceremony Bishop McQuaid,
with many of the priests of the Diocese, dedicated this new Church to
St. Michael, the Archangel.
Many things could be written about the past fifty years. Many of
fl
the
assistant
pastor.
Manythe
could
tell of
of the new
our first
people
will still
remember
coming
of the
Rev.building
John Fitzsimons
as
Convent for the Sisters in Keuka street. And they will remember the
purchase of the old village Fairgrounds behind the School.
?.K•
1
17
fI1
1
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1
CY
~Daint lvi ic/we, S ~-I’iurcn tar,sn Otaj
Pastor
Rev. Francis C. Waterstraat
Assistant Pastor
Rev. Raymond F. Moore
Trustees
P. Henry Flynn
Albert L. Kenville
Auditors
Jeremiah Buckley
William Prendergast
Teachers
Sister M. Ephrem, S.S.J.
Sister M. Lucretia, S.S.J.
Sister M. Concetta, S.S.J.
Sister M. Cecelia, S.S.J.
Organist
Mrs. Sidney Short
Choir Director
Charles Clark
unkz~il~rt~
(t~cIn1u~r 1~ 195U
QI~nteiuihtj c4~lasz nf
lfl:3U ~ ~4JJJL
Solemn Mass
Coram Episcopo
His Excellency
Most Rev. James B. Kearney, D.D.
Bishop of Rochester
Presiding in Cappa Magna
Assistant Priest
Rt. Rev. Wilfred T. Craugh
Assistant Deacons
Rt. Rev. William H. McPadden, V.F.
Rev. Frederick G. Straub
Master of Ceremonies to the Bishop
Rev. John B. Maney, S.T.D.
Book-bearer
Rev. Vincent P. Collins
Bugia-bearer
Rev. Thomas C. Kane
Celebrant of the Mass
Rev. Francis C. Waterstraat
Deacon of the Mass
Rev. Hubert A. Bisky
Subdeacon of the Mass
Rev. John P. O’Beirne
Masters of Ceremonies
Rev. Raymond F. Moore
Rev. Philip E. McGhan
Acolytes
Rev Joseph M. McDonnell—Rev. Bernard C. Hanna
Thurifer
Rev. Leonard A. Kelly
Sermon
Most Rev. James B. Kearney, D.D.
We wish to take the advantage of this booklet
to extend our sincere thanks to all who have given
so generously of their time and effort to make the
Centennial Celebration of our Parish so successful.
It has been this generous attitude and unfailing in
terest on the part of all our people as well as our
fellow priests that has made this so memorable an
occasion.
Saint Michael’s Church Rectory
—
7
When the Catholics of this parish boast of one of the most beau
tiful churches in the area, they give due credit to Father John Killeen
who redecorated and embellished the present Church in 1931. Its
simple beauty cannot fail to impress all who visit it. Father Killeen
fi
was also responsible for the building of the Parish Hall under the
Church. When Father Killeen’s health failed, the Bishop appointed
Rev. John
as administrator
of the
parish and
with He
charac
teristic
zealP.heO’Beirne
continued
the work begun
by Father
Killeen.
was
succeeded by Rev. Hubert A. Bisky who ultimately became Pastor of
St. Michael’s after the death of Father Killeen. Father Bisky’s pastorate was made noteworthy by his continued efforts on behalf of the
youth of the community. The very well equipped playground on
Keuka street will stand as a monument to his efforts. Before the actual
events of the centennial celebration of the Parish had been begun,
Father Bisky was transferred to Elmira and was succeeded by Rev.
Francis C. Waterstraat of Moravia. To Father Waterstraat has fallen
the gigantic task of making ready for the 100th anniversary. The re
decoration of the properties, the social engagements, the spiritual activ
ities, are the external manifestations that the Parish will offer in
thanksgiving for 100 years of spiritual plenty.
PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH
Rev. Michael Creedon
Rev. Michael Gilbrjde
Rev. Patrick Canny
Rev. Joseph Deen
Rev. Joseph McKenna
Rev. Dennis English
Rev. Edward McGovern
Rev. Guilelmus Gregg
Rev. Eugene Pagani
Rev. Angelo Lugero
Rev. Martin Hendrick
Rev. Bernard Gommenginger
Rev. Hugh A. Crowley
Rev. John G. Killeen
Rev. Hubert A. Bisky
Rev. Francis C. Waterstraat
18501850-1852
1853-1854
1854-185 5
1855-1862
1862-1869
1869-1874
1874-1876
1876-1892
1893-1899
1899-1915
19 15-1922
1923-1930
1930-1946
1946-195 0
1950-
(During the illness of Father Killeen Rev. John P. O’Beirne
served as the Administrator of St. Michael’s Church 19401945)
ASSISTANT PASTORS OF ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH
Rev. John R. Fitzsitnons
Rev. James Tischer
Rev. Patrick Kelly
Rev. Joseph Dissett
Rev. Raymond C. Quigley
Rev. William H. McPadden
Rev. William B. Hayes
Rev. Raymond J. Epping
Rev. Martin F. Feeney
Rev. Joseph G. Sullivan
Rev. Patrick C. Connell
Rev. Alfredo G. Morotti
Rev. Joseph F. Hogan
Rev. Thomas C. Kane
Rev. Edward R. Dempsey
Rev. Raymond F. Moore
1909-1914
1914-1916
1916-1921
1921-1923
1923-1924
1923-1924
1924-1929
1929-1930
1932-1939
1938-1939
1939-1939
1939-1940
1940-1943
1943-1947
1947-1947
1947-
PRIESTS ORDAINED FROM THE PARISH:
Rt. Rev. Thomas Hendrick, Bishop of Cebu
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Wilfred T. Craugh, Ph.M.
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Joseph Hendrick
WOMEN OF THE PARISH WHO HAVE ENTERED
RELIGIOUS ORDERS:
Mother Mary Aloysius Hendrick, S.S.J.
Mary Hendrick
A Miss Narden
Mother Charlotte Hendrick, R.S.C.J.
Sister M. Loyola Guider, S.S.J.
Sister Marie Aimee Carroll, S.S.J.
Sister Rose Marie Carroll, S.S.J.
Sister Catherine Charlotte Hyland, S.S.J.
Sister Mary Ade Manley, S.S.J.
Sister M. Concillia Flahive, S.S.J.
Sister Joseph Edward Creary, S.S.J.
Sister M. Edwardine Prendergast, S.S.J.
Sister M. Mercedes, R.S.M.