THE BEGINNING
The Diocese of Rochester was established by the Vatican on January 24, 1868, with the appointment of the Rev. Bernard J. McQuaid of Newark, New Jersey as its first bishop.
One of the first acts of the new bishop was the division of Holy Family parish in Auburn due to the conflict caused by the pastor of Holy Family parish, Father Thomas O’Flaherty. A new parish was to lie west of State Street and the Owasco River. The new parish was organized on August 15, 1868, and called St. Mary of the Assumption, in honor of the feast of the day.
In August of 1868, the Rev. Thomas A. Maher, the first pastor of St. Mary’s parish, came to Auburn and rented a house at 34 State St. where he celebrated Mass. He later made use of Tallman Hall at the corner of State and Dill streets. Records tell us that the following notice was published in the Auburn Daily Advertiser on September 12, 1868: “St. Mary’s (new) Catholic Church service Sun-day, September 13, 1868, at Brown’s Commercial College…” A certificate of incorporation was is-sued to Father Maher, pastor, and Michael Kavanaugh and Patrick Kelly, trustees, on September 26, 1868.
THE FIRST PASTOR AND CHURCH
THE SECOND PASTOR AND A NEW PARISH CHURCH
Dr. Miles J. Loughlin, D.D. had formerly been assistant pastor at Holy Family Church and a resident of the city of Auburn. Dr. Loughlin, both cultured and enthusiastic, was impressed with the needs of his people. The little wooden structure was not capable of accommodating the growing congregation, so he purchased the adjoining lot, known as the Cheney property. P.C. Kiely of Brooklyn, an architect skilled in the styling of Gothic churches, was hired to draw up plans for the new church. At first it was decided to erect a brick structure. However, a stone building was deemed more fitting and finally agreed upon. Excavations for the structure began in 1870 and the cornerstone was laid on September 18, 1870.
It was the determination, the courage and self-sacrifice of Dr. Loughlin and his power to inspire the people, that created St. Mary’s beautiful church on the corner of Clark and Green streets. During its construction, Dr. Loughlin toiled and labored on it. For over six years he acted as superintendent, architect, builder and pastor, and was rarely absent from his labors. So intimately was he connected with it and so untiring did he work that it was said there was not one stone in the entire structure which he did not select for its place.
Dr. Loughlin, in 1873, foreseeing the need for a school for the parish, purchased the Willis Carriage Factory at 81 Clark Street. In 1880 the parishioners realized the need for a new school, and a second school was erected on the site of 11-13 Clark St. The school opened on January 7, 1881. This school became known as the “Gray School”.
However, the labor was arduous and exhausting for Dr. Loughlin. The strain had been too much and was more than he could stand. Almost worn out, he was transferred, at his own request, to the quiet mission of St. Rose of Lima and in the following spring he died, after a brief illness, in St. Mary’s hospital at Rochester.
THE THIRD PASTOR
The Rev. William Mulheron, was appointed by Bishop McQuaid on the 7th of September 1877.
Coming in under most adverse circumstances with an enormous debt of $60,000 and a country wide financial depression, ordinarily a man would hesitate undertaking such a task. True, the church was built, but the furnishings were inadequate and not in keeping with the beautiful edifice; an unsanitary school building, a poor dilapidated convent for the sisters, a parsonage hemmed in on all sides— these were the conditions facing Father Mulheron. With a loyal and faithful people and with implicit trust and confidence in God, he set about to lift the debt and improve the church property. After 31 years of persistent effort, St. Mary’s Church and surrounding buildings were regarded as a credit to pastor and people, an ornament to the city and an honor to religion.
On July 30, 1905, St. Edward’s Parish was erected in the southwestern part of the city, at a cost of over $14,000, for the accommodation of parishioners in that area. At first it was attended by parishioners from St. Mary’s but in the course of time was to have its own pastor. Fr. Mulheron engaged in looking after the interest of the Italian population of the city. A site had been purchased in lower Clark Street, in the center of the Italian settlement, on which already had been built a parochial residence, costing nearly $3,000. It was expected that in a very short time the work on the new church, to be known as “St. Francis of Assisi,” would begin. To both these enterprises St. Mary’s people, although taxed heavily to meet their own demands, contributed generously.
Under Father Mulheron’s administration the second school building was erected on the site at 11-13 Clark Street. The property was purchased from the McCrea family. The Francisco property, between church and school, was bought for $10,000. The cornerstone of the new school was laid in 1880, and the school was opened on January 7, 1881. The building was 78 x 40 feet, had eight classrooms and a third floor was used for a Convent. This school became known as the “Gray School”. This building was used for a school until June 1961.
New pews were placed in the church, altars remodeled, and the interior was decorated at a cost of $4,000; a new heating system was installed in the church, parsonage and school; a new pipe organ) was procured for the sum of $6,000. The new rectory cost $10,000. The Shimer property on State Street was purchased for $5,000. All of these together with the annual running expenses of church and school for the previous 31 years totaled over $400,000 which were received and disbursed during Father Mulheron’s pastorate. The debt on the church property was reduced to $12,000, which in a few years was entirely liquidated. However, bell tower bells was lacking. It was the fond hope of pastor and people that the completion of the tower and the purchase of bells would be installed in the near future.
Under his supervision various societies were organized. He always took a deep interest in the welfare of these societies. His religious zeal and activity for the welfare of his parishioners resulted in the following organizations— the Young Ladies’ Sodality, the Children of Mary, the Holy Name Society, the Rosary and Scapular Society and the Boy’s Sodality of the Holy Name of Jesus.
Father Mulheron was instrumental in establishing the Auburn Orphan Asylum on North Street run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester. Father Mulheron died in February 1913 and is buried in St. Joseph’s cemetery.
THE FOURTH PASTOR
Bishop Thomas Hickey, second bishop of Rochester, appointed the Rev. William Payne pastor on July 11, 1913. Father Payne’s task was to repair, replace and improve the buildings and to complete the payment of the church debt. It was Father Payne who began the movement to install bells in the church tower and raised the funds to accomplish this. During World War I, he worked for the Red Cross and was active in many other civic affairs. He it was who made the final payment on the church debt in 1921.
Father Payne was instrumental in the founding of Mercy Hospital, run by the Sisters of St. Francis from Syracuse, NY, where St. Edward Church had been located.
He died on Palm Sunday in 1925 and is buried in St. Joseph’s cemetery.
THE FIFTH PASTOR
The Rev. John J. McGrath, at one time an assistant to Father Mulheron, succeeded Father Payne as pastor on July 12, 1925. It was during his pastorate that the dream of the previous pastors and the parishioners was realized when the bells were installed in the tower. Bishop Thomas Hickey, second bishop of Rochester, blessed them on September 21, 1926, and they rang out for the first time on October 3, 1926. The three bells constitute the chord of the major scale of E flat. The largest bell, donated by the Holy Name Society and members of the church, has the name of Jesus-Joseph; the second bell, donated by the Rosary and Scapular Society, is called Mary; the third bell in memory of John Stack, is called John. The work on the church tower began on May 10, 1925. William Reilly was the builder.
Father McGrath died on February 26, 1932.
THE SIXTH PASTOR
The Rev. William E. Cowen, D.D. was appointed by Bishop John Francis O’Hern, the third bishop of Rochester, to St. Mary’s as the sixth pastor and came to Auburn on June 25, 1932. A graduate of St. Mary’s school in the class of 1892, he was baptized in St. Mary’s Church when the parish was only ten years old. Dr. Cowen undertook the task of rebuilding the church. A new floor was installed, a new entrance was added to the Green Street side of the church and the church needed redecoration. A rededication service was held on March 20, 1938, with Bishop James E. Kearney, newly appointed bishop of Rochester, in attendance.
On September 28, 1947, Dr. Cowen was one of three Auburn priests named Right Reverend Monsignor by Pope Pius XII. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood in1952. On June 22, 1952, fifty years to the day he offered he offered his first Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Monsignor Cowen celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving. Dr. Cowen was an active leader in the civic life of Auburn.
He died on September 5, 1961 and is buried in St. Joseph’s cemetery.
THE SEVENTH PASTOR
On June 24, 1958, Monsignor James D. Cuffney came to St. Mary’s as administrator. He was not a stranger as he served as assistant pastor from 1940-1941. He came from St. Bernard’s Seminary where he was the business manager and business teacher for many years. He accepted his appointment to St. Mary’s with the knowledge that he would improve the church property and oversee the erection of a new school building. Ground-breaking for the new school at 17 Clymer Street happened on September 26, 1960. The “Gray School” building at 11 Clark stood until 1975 when it was sold to Urban Renewal. The new school at 17 Clymer Street was dedicated on October 15, 1961, with an enrollment of 438 pupils and by 1965 the enrollment was up to 503 students using 14 classrooms with a faculty of 15 teachers: 8 sisters and 7 lay teachers.
In 1965, the church was completely renovated in light of the liturgical changes inaugurated by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Mr. Millard, an artist from New York City was contracted to paint a 15-foot mural of Christ behind the altar as the dominant feature of the renovation. The work was completed on April 19, 1966, with a rededication service led by Bishop Lawrence B. Casey, auxiliary bishop of the Rochester Diocese.
In 1979, Msgr. Cuffney retired. A small pipe organ was dedicated on June 3, 1979, in his honor as a gift from friends and parishioners and placed in the sanctuary area.
He died on September 10, 1988 and is buried in St. Joseph’s cemetery.
THE EIGHTH PASTOR
On August 13, 1979, Bishop Matthew H. Clark appointed The Rev. Edward A. Zimmer to be the eighth pastor of St. Mary’s.
Father Zimmer was the pastor who would witness the decline of the number of priests which necessitated a parish pastoral staff of all lay people. He initiated the children’s Mass, which he offered frequently. In addition to his many duties at the parish, he was chaplain of the Auburn and Fleming Fire Departments, president of the United Way and chairman of the Annual Campaign and a life member of NAACP.
He died on January 7, 2001 and is buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery.
THE NINTH PASTOR
On June 30, 1992, the Rev. Robert J. Schrader assumed his duties as St. Mary’s ninth pastor. Among his early duties during his 12 years here was the supervision of the Diocesan Synod in the parish and the spiritual renewal of the parish using the three-year national program entitled “Renew”. He oversaw the proper celebration of the Quasquicentennial (125 year) anniversary of the parish. Like many of the previous pastors, Father Schrader undertook a major renovation and restoration of the church and basement hall.
The renovation was contracted to the Rambusch Company of New York City. The remodeling included a new tile floor, new altar and seating arrangements, new color scheme to bring out all the intricate architectural details of the interior of the church, new restroom and children’s room, new lighting, restored doors, new sound system with hearing assistance systems. The basement of the church was air-conditioned together with a new floor and commercial-style kitchen and meeting room. The renovation was completed with the “Rite of Dedication” presided over by Bishop Matthew Clark on April 21, 1997. In commemoration of the extensive work done under the pastorate of Father Schrader, the Parish Council passed a resolution to change the name of Lyceum Hall (the name of the parish hall below the church) to The Father Robert Schrader Hall.
Father Schrader organized a committee to plan monthly pasta dinners in the renovated church basement. The first pasta supper was held on September 9, 1999. It continues to this day. Saint Mary’s School on Clymer Street was open from 1960 to 2002. The building became vacant due to the amalgamation of all the Catholic Schools in Auburn into Saint Joseph School on the campus of St. Alphonsus Church. The Clymer Street School building was leased out to BOCES, with the intention of eventually selling the building. During Father Schrader’s pastorate, two long time rectory staff members passed away. Maryrose Barron served as parish secretary and archivist for 57 years. She was waked in the church on June 25, 1997, in the midst of construction that she loved.
THE TENTH PASTOR
In June of 2004, the Rev. Frank E. Lioi was appointed by Bishop Clark as the tenth pastor of St. Mary’s Church. As previous pastors of St. Mary’s (Dr. Cowan, Msgr. Cuffney, Fr. Zimmer), Father Lioi had served on the faculty and administration of Saint Bernard’s Seminary during the years of 1975-1981. In addition, he was a staff member from 1981-1989 at The American College of Louvain, a seminary in Belgium under the auspices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Father Lioi came to St. Mary’s with a wealth of administra¬tive, liturgical and pastoral ex-perience at the service of a parish which is richly blessed with a diversity of racial and ethnic heri-tage. The first major celebration upon Father Lioi’s arrival was the Alumni Reunion (1921-1960) of the Clark Street “Gray School” in August 2004.
Working with a newly formed Buildings & Grounds Committee, Father Lioi concerned himself with the donation to the parish of the building to the west of the church, the sale of the Clymer Street School and the replacement of the church boiler and installation of air-conditioning in the church. The building to the west of the church was razed in the summer of 2006 and the land turned into an unfinished parking lot; the Clymer Street School building was sold to Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate on June 5, 2007; the boiler was replaced and air-conditioning installed in church during the summer of 2008. During the Summer of 2009, moveable walls were installed in the parish hall to accommodate multiple use of the hall, flat screen television monitors mounted on the walls and the sound system readjusted.
On Sunday, June 3, 2007, Father Lioi celebrated his 40th anniversary of ordination with a festive Mass in the morning, a luncheon at Highland Golf Club at 1:00 pm, and a choral concert at 4:00 in church followed by a reception. On August 15, 2008, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Mary’s Church observed its 140th anniversary with a magnificent Flower Festival, which, along with the parish picnic, has become an annual tradition around the patronal feast day. Saint Mary’s has become a welcome venue for concerts and cultural events.
Beginning in 2016, St. Mary’s inaugurated a major upgrade of its facilities: interior work in the church involved painting, restoration of the historic 1890 Carl Barckhoff Pipe Organ, retrofitting LED lighting, and the installation of a streaming system; exterior work included the parking lot along with sidewalk and step repairs, All of this led up the gala celebration of the 150th anniversary of the parish on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 2018. In June 2024, Father Lioi reached twenty years as pastor of St. Mary’s Church.
Milestone Dates in the History of St. Mary’s Church
1868 Auburn population is 12,576 including 1,600 children with 32 teachers (50 pupils per class)
07/12/1868 Bishop Bernard McQuaid consecrated first bishop of new Diocese of Rochester
08/15/1868 Father Thomas Maher rented a home at 34 State St. for Mass: 1 man and 2 women, later celebrated Mass at Tallman Hall at State & Dill; then at Brown’s Commercial College; then on the Button property at Clark & Green where a wooden structure 50’x70′ was built for $800, called the “Shanty Church.”
10/11/1868 Church was blessed on McQuaid’s first visit to the parish. Confirmation was on December 20,1868.
09/18/1870 Cornerstone of present stone church laid at 3:00 pm
Dr. Miles Loughlin hired P. C Kiley of Brooklyn to be the new church architect.
Congregation worshipped in the Academy of Music until the basement was finished,
They then worshipped in the basement for 5 years.
04/29/1877 The new church was dedicated, 135′ long and 65′ high ceiling: cost was $79,350.40
10/29/1888 Bishop McQuaid blessed the new Stations brought from Munich by Father William Mulheron who also had first mural put up of Christ’s Ascension with the Four Evangelists. Two statues (the Sacred Heart and St. Anne) were also installed.
11/29/1890 Organ by the Carl Barckhoff Co. of Salem, OH installed; first played on 12/08/1890.
07/30/1905 St. Edward Church on Thornton Ave. was dedicated by Bishop Thomas F. Hickey on his first Auburn visit.
1915 Father William Payne had a second mural put up: the Assumption of BVM,
126 parishioners served in WWI; Father Payne also founded Mercy Hospital.
09/21/1926 Bishop Hickey blessed the bells installed by Father John McGrath in the new bell tower which he had begun to build on 05/12/26.
10/03/1926 Bells rang for 1st time: E-major chord: Jesus-Joseph (largest) by Holy Name Mary by Rosary/Scapular Society, and John in memory of John Stack
1929 Mural removed and wooden reredos installed.
1936 Dr. Wm. E. Cowen put in 8 grisaille windows from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Rochester, St. Mary of the Assumption mural was painted by Lee Woodward Zeigler of Newburgh, NY, The ceiling was painted blue and the Green Street door added
03/20/1938 First visit of Bishop James E. Kearney; 409 parishioners served in WW2, 13 died
10/20/1964 Votive candle fire; Msgr. James. Cuffney decides to modernize the interior, 4th mural of Christ enthroned by Everett Molinari completed, 2 Italian Lindenwood statues purchased, Joseph J. Hickey supplied the altar and furnishings.
11/28/1965 First Mass in renovated church; 11/30, first concelebrated Mass in Auburn: Cuffney, Walsh, Sundholm
04/17/1966 Bishop Casey blesses the new altar, his last official act in Cayuga County
03/09/1967 Bishop Sheen celebrates Mass, his first episcopal visit to Auburn since 1942 when he spoke at East High School, sponsored by the Lyceum Players.
06/03/1979 Dedication of 1882 Garrett House Organ for honoring 20 years of Msgr. Cuffney’s ministry.
08/15/1979 Msgr. Cuffney retires; Father Edward Zimmer is appointed pastor, repairs to tower and walls begin.
08/15/1993 Quasquicentennial: 42 priests, 94 sisters, 16,000 baptisms, 5000 weddings, 7,700 funerals
09/21/1997 Dedicated church with the 6th mural by Ken Verosko
08/15/1998 Parish is 130 years old with pastor Father Robert Schrader
June 2004 Fr. Frank Lioi becomes the tenth pastor.
08/15/2004 Alumni of Gray School (1921-1960) hold alumni reunion.
12/16/2005 Property to the west of the church (Piccolo building) donated to St. Mary’s; the building was razed in summer 2006.
06/05/2007 Clymer Street School sold to Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate.
06/03/2007 40th anniversary of ordination of Fr. Lioi.
Summer 2008 New boiler and air-conditioning installed in church.
08/15/2008 140th anniversary of parish; Flower Festival held in church
Summer 2009 Exterior window frames of church painted gray; moveable walls installed in parish hall
8/ 15/ 2018 150th anniversary of the parish on the Feast of the Assumption
June 2024 Father Lioi reached twenty years as pastor of St. Mary’s Church.
Priests who ministered to St. Mary’s parishioners
Pastors
Rev. Thomas A. Maher 1868-1869
Rev. Myles J. Loughlin, D.D. 1869-1877
Rev. William E. Mulheron 1877-1913
Rev. William F. Payne 1913-1925
Rev. John J. McGrath 1925-1932
Rev. Msgr. William E. Cowen 1932-1961
Rev. Msgr. James D. Cuffney 1961-1979
Rev. Edward A. Zimmer 1979-1992
Rev. Robert J. Schrader 1992-2004
Rev. Frank E. Lioi 2004-
Associate Pastors 1868-1932
Rev. Dr. Massan
Rev. John B. Doran
Rev. Dr. Lynch
Rev. John R. Fitzsimons
Rev. Eugene Pagani
Rev. E. J. Dwyer
Rev. W. Thurston
Rev. S. J. Byrne
Rev. J.H. Russell
Rev. Patrick J. Smyth
Rev. William Morrin
Rev. Arthur LeMay
Rev. J. H. Connolly
Rev. William E. Hayes
Rev. Max Casimir
Rev. Daniel Quigley
Rev. Joseph Hendricks
Rev. Victor J. Hurley
Rev. John Donnelly
Rev. Charles E. Muckle
Rev. George V. Burns
Rev. Raymond Quigley
Rev. F.J. Burns
Rev. Samuel J. Houghton
Rev. James H. Day
Rev. Francis B. Burns
Rev. James Hickey
Rev. John P. O’Beirne
Rev. F. J. Burns
Rev. John J. McGrath
Rev. John M. Ball
Rev. Joseph P. Quinn
Rev. Leo Mooney
Rev. John F. O’Hern
Rev. George Macauley
Rev. James J. Gibbons
Rev. Joseph Margrett
Rev. Timothy J. McGrath
Associate Pastors 1932-1980
Rev. Armand Benoit (Albany)
Rev. James D. Cuffney
Rev. Dennis W. Hickey
Rev. Robert H. Fennessy
Rev. Edwin Agonis, O.M.C.
Rev. J. Joseph O’Connell
Rev. Richard T. Tormey
Rev. William D. Tobin
Rev. E. Leo McMannus
Rev. Walter Carron
Rev. John F. White
Rev. Ralph Meyer (New York)
Rev. Leslie G. Whalen
Rev. Charles Langworthy
Rev. Joseph McNamara
Rev. John Patrick Norris
Rev. Paul J. Lynch
Rev. Charles L. McCarthy
Rev. Robert J. Downs
Rev. Robert G. Smith
Rev. Robert J. Kanka
Rev. Charles Irwin Sullivan
Rev. Edwin B. Metzger
Rev. Guy J. Wertz
Rev. William Cosgrove
Rev. Gerald J. Guli
Rev. Robert L. Kress
Rev. Arthur J. Hack
Rev. Ignatius St. George
Rev. Conrad Sundholm
Rev. Ronald Gaesser
Rev. James C. Enright
Rev. Anthony Valenti
Rev. David Gramkee
Parochial Vicars 1980-Present
Rev. Bernard Casper
Rev. Robert T. Werth
Rev. Joseph Catanise
Rev. Thomas Corbett
Rev. David Faraone
Rev. Patrick Guiany Sullivan
Rev. Lee P. Chase
Rev. John D. Dillon
Rev. Steven Lape
Rev. B. Munjalu Wakhungu (Kenya)
Rev. John Kenneth Coffie (Obuasi, Ghana)
Rev. Joseph Osei Bonsu (Obuasi, Ghana)
Rev. David Tedesche
Rev. Erick Viloria
Rev. Justin Miller
Rev. Joseph Maurici III
Rev. Joseph Maurtuscello
Choir Directors/Organists
Gerald Conroy, James Hennessey, John Stuart, Beverly Navarro,
Paul Brechue, Jr., Robert Stabile, Kay Askew, Muriel Hickey,
Darwin Parker, David Correll., Colleen Liggett
Phillip
Originally compiled and edited by Gary LaLonde, Archivist, 15 May 2006
Subsequently supplemented by Sister Anne Saphara, OSF, Archivist, March 2025