Weedsport, Cato, Port Byron, and Montezuma have had a long history together. In 1853 the resident pastor of St. Alphonsus in Auburn was charged with the care of Catholics in Weedsport and the surrounding areas until they could build their own churches and support a pastor.
A church was built in Weedsport in 1855 and in 1858 construction started at the location of Rt. 34 and Hamilton Street. The old church was completed and dedicated in 1859 and incorporated on August 6, 1869. (St. Joseph built a new church in the same location in the 1950’s.) The pastor of St. Joseph’s was given the care of Catholics in Cato, Red Creek, Port Byron, and Montezuma. Masses were often said in private homes.
Parishioners of St. Patrick built their church in 1874 and was incorporated on March 5th, 1874; St. Michael’s, Montezuma, was started by 14 families in 1865; St. John’s, Port Byron, began as a missionary church to St. Joseph’s in 1858 and incorporated on July 6, 1899.
During the mid-1980’s, Planning Groups were being formed to encourage churches to cluster and reduce the number of Masses. In 1985 the last Mass was celebrated at St. Michael’s in Montezuma, and they joined with the parishioners of St. John’s in Port Byron.
In 1986 St. Joseph’s, St. John’s ,and St. Patrick’s formed the Northern Cayuga Catholic Community. On July 7, 2005, they officially became one incorporated parish under the name of Our Lady of the Snow. With the closing of St. John’s in Port Byron in June 2020, Our Lady of the Snow Parish now consists of St. Joseph Church in Weedsport and St. Patrick Church in Cato.
Our Lady of the Snow Parish (St. Joseph & St. Patrick), and Saints Mary & Martha Parish (St. Francis & St. Hyacinth), and St. Mary’s Church are now under one pastor and one pastoral staff.