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St. mary’S cHurcH
Located near the northern end of Honeoye Lake, St. Mary’s Church hosts a large in ux of summer visitors in addition
to a year-round parish community established 150 years ago.
St. Mary’s was incorporated Oct. 6, 1868, by Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid during the Diocese of Rochester’s rst year of existence. Father William Hughes served as the rst pastor of the parish, located in what was then known as Honeoye Flats.
The western-Ontario County parish was made up mainly of Irish families during its early years. Masses were celebrated over a store and in a schoolhouse until construction began in 1875 for a church on West Main Street. That structure, dedicated Aug. 15, 1876 by Bishop McQuaid, would serve as the parish’s home for more than 80 years.
A new, more spacious building went up in 1958 at 8961 Main Street, a site bordered by Route 20A and Canadice Hill Road. The rst Mass there was celebrated June 29, 1958, one day after the nal Mass in St. Mary’s original church. A bell and tower were added to the current church in 1987.
Groundbreaking for a parish center commenced Oct. 18, 1992, with Bishop Emeritus Joseph L. Hogan presiding. The center was dedicated May 2, 1993, by Bishop Matthew H. Clark.
On July 27, 2008, a Mass was celebrated to honor
th
the 50 anniversary of the current parish church.
St. Mary’s became clustered in 2007 with St. Matthew Parish in Livonia, Livingston County.
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