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Holy family cHurcH
The distinction of being the rst Catholic parish in Auburn belongs to Holy Family, which was founded in 1834.
IIn that year the parish – under the guidance of its founding pastor, Father Francis O’Donaghue – purchased for $1,200 a frame building that previously had been used as a Methodist church. After completing the purchase, the parish remodeled the structure, adding a belfry, and the rst Holy Family Church was dedicated in
October 1834.
Although he led the parish, Father O’Donaghue did not live in Auburn, and Holy Family did not receive its rst resident pastor until 1838.
By 1845 the parish comprised 60 Catholic families, and a new church building soon was needed. The edi ce at 85 North Street, which remains in use today, was dedicated in July 1861 by Bishop John Timon of the Diocese of Buffalo.
In 1895 Father John Hickey, who had grown up in the parish, became pastor and oversaw signi cant renovations to the church, including the addition of two towers as well as 20 stained-glass windows made by German artists. Father Hickey served at Holy Family for 28 years, and his successor, Father John Conway, led the parish for another 31 years until his death in 1954.
Holy Family Church was renovated in 1958 and again in 1988, when the sanctuary was redesigned, pews were lowered from a raised platform and the Stations of the Cross were refurbished. The church, complete with its new organ and new altar, was rededicated by Bishop Matthew H. Clark in June 1989.