St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Old Church The history of St. John the Evangelist Church, New Hartford, New York, until the year 1896, is interwoven with the story of the formation of St. Paul’s parish at Whitesboro. In 1883, the Rev. John F. Mullany was appointed to organize a new parish in Whitesboro, with the town of New Hartford and the Holland Patent district as missions, The Catholic population at New Hartford was small in number, about twenty families, and these had until then, at great inconvenience, attended the several Catholic churches in Utica, Clinton and Clayville. Many had lapsed form the practice of religion, and, on the occasion of the priest’s arrival there, there were only a few families ready to begin with him the organization of a parish. Father Mullany announced in the daily papers that Mass would be celebrated on January 13, 1883.

On the Sunday designated, Father Mullany celebrated Mass in St. Stephen’s Hall for the first time in the village of New Hartford. The use of this hall was extended by courtesy of the rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and the altar linens used on the temporary altar were furnished by the wife of the rector. About thirty people were present. After that, Mass was celebrated on Sundays and Holy Days in Patterson’s Hall in the village.

On Sunday October 21, 1883, the cornerstone of St. John’s Church was laid by Bishop McNeirny at 3 o’clock, in the presence of a great crowd of people. The sermon was preached by Rev. John F. Lowery of Cohoes, NY. The property on which the church was erected was purchased from Silas Root of New Hartford, New York, at the cost of $ 1,200. T hough there are no official parish records as to the cost of the church, these having been destroyed in the fire of the Whitesboro Rectory in 1893, a letter form Father Mullany to Father Griffin written in 1904 gives an estimate of $20,000 as the cost of the church and the site. Builders were Uriah Higgs and Sons and Thomas Fox as mason contractors. Joshia Owens did the carpentry and Jerome M. Seaman built the altars. Construction was solid brick supported by trussed ceilings without pillars.

The church was dedicated on Sunday, May 31, 1885 by Bishop McNeirny, and the sermon was preached by Rev. James O’Reilly. At that time, New Hartford was a mission parish. On August 24, 1896, the Reverend William H. Griffin who had attended the mission as assistant priest was appointed first resident pastor.

A large substantial house was purchased for a rectory on July 16, 1900. The thirteen-room house of wood construction was purchased from Mrs. Carrie Sherman, wife of the Honorable James Sherman, afterward vice-president of the United States. The house was situated at 66 Oxford Road and the purchase price was $4,500.

On November 30, 1933, Father Griffin died and on January 16, 1934, Rev. John O’Brien was appointed Pastor. At that time, about 125 families were registered at St. John’s, and within the next 3 years it grew to 275 families. By 1963 over 900 families were enrolled at St. John’s. The original church, seating only 440 people, was no longer large enough for parish needs. A new rectory with adequate office space and meeting rooms was needed for the varied functions of a modern parish.

A debt of $73,000 was almost liquidated during 1963 and plans were drawn up by Mr. Frank DelleCese, architect, for a new church and rectory at a cost of $606,250 plus architect fees. A temporary rectory was purchased at 68 Oxford Road from Mr. Frank Keating for the sum of $7,500 in February of 1964 and the priests moved in over August.

A general parish drive was held by the men of the parish under direction of Foley Associates, Inc. of Rochester, NY and on February 16, 1964, over $276,000 was pledged for the building program. Bids were opened on July 3rd and the general construction contract was given to Tomaselli Construction Co., Inc. The ground breaking ceremony took place on August 24, 1964 with Bishop David F. Cunningham turning the first spade of earth.

The Sherman mansion was demolished and excavation proceeded. The cellar of the church and rectory was poured in the fall of 1964 but winter held up further construction. Work began in the spring and proceeded through the year 1965. Many hoped that Christmas could be celebrated in the new church but marble from Ital had delayed in transit and the completion was moved in to the new year.

The day of dedication of the new church, which seats 1000 people, took place on Sunday, January 23, 1966. A Solemn Mass was celebrated at 10.45 am by the Pastor, Monsignor Thomas J. Hayes, with Bishop Foery presiding and Bishop Cunningham in the sanctuary. A month later the rectory was also finished and the priests moved into their new home.
Today, there are more than 1,500 families registered in the parish.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP 1883-Current

Rev. John F. Mullany 1883-1886
Rev. William H. Griffin 1886-1933
Rev. John O’Brien 1934 - 1962
Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Hayes 1962-1976
Rev. Msgr. William J. Donovan 1976-1987
Rev. Paul J. Drobin 1987 - 1999
Rev. Darr F. Schoenhofen 2000-2002
Rev. Joseph Zareski 2002- to present

Send history comments to webmaster@stjohnsnh.com

	The history of St. John the Evangelist Church, New Hartford, New York, until the year 1896, is interwoven with the story of the formation of St. Paul’s parish at Whitesboro. In 1883, the Rev. John F. Mullany was appointed to organize a new parish in Whitesboro, with the town of New Hartford and the Holland Patent district as missions, The Catholic population at New Hartford was small in number, about twenty families, and these had until then, at great inconvenience, attended the several Catholic churches in Utica, Clinton and Clayville. Many had lapsed form the practice of religion, and, on the occasion of the priest’s arrival there, there were only a few families ready to begin with him the organization of a parish. Father Mullany announced in the daily papers that Mass would be celebrated on January 13, 1883. On the Sunday designated, Father Mullany celebrated Mass in St. Stephen’s Hall for the first time in the village of New Hartford. The use of this hall was extended by courtesy of the rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and the altar linens used on the temporary altar were furnished by the wife of the rector. About thirty people were present. After that, Mass was celebrated on Sundays and Holy Days in Patterson’s Hall in the village. On Sunday October 21, 1883, the cornerstone of St. John’s Church was laid by Bishop McNeirny at 3 o’clock, in the presence of a great crowd of people. The sermon was preached by Rev. John F. Lowery of Cohoes, NY. The property on which the church was erected was purchased from Silas Root of New Hartford, New York, at the cost of $ 1,200. T hough there are no official parish records as to the cost of the church, these having been destroyed in the fire of the Whitesboro Rectory in 1893, a letter form Father Mullany to Father Griffin written in 1904 gives an estimate of $20,000 as the cost of the church and the site. Builders were Uriah Higgs and Sons and Thomas Fox as mason contractors. Joshia Owens did the carpentry and Jerome M. Seaman built the altars. Construction was solid brick supported by trussed ceilings without pillars. The church was dedicated on Sunday, May 31, 1885 by Bishop McNeirny, and the sermon was preached by Rev. James O’Reilly. At that time, New Hartford was a mission parish. On August 24, 1896, the Reverend William H. Griffin who had attended the mission as assistant priest was appointed first resident pastor. A large substantial house was purchased for a rectory on July 16, 1900. The thirteen-room house of wood construction was purchased from Mrs. Carrie Sherman, wife of the Honorable James Sherman, afterward vice-president of the United States. The house was situated at 66 Oxford Road and the purchase price was $4,500. On November 30, 1933, Father Griffin died and on January 16, 1934, Rev. John O’Brien was appointed Pastor. At that time, about 125 families were registered at St. John’s, and within the next 3 years it grew to 275 families. By 1963 over 900 families were enrolled at St. John’s. The original church, seating only 440 people, was no longer large enough for parish needs. A new rectory with adequate office space and meeting rooms was needed for the varied functions of a modern parish. A debt of $73,000 was almost liquidated during 1963 and plans were drawn up by Mr. Frank DelleCese, architect, for a new church and rectory at a cost of $606,250 plus architect fees. A temporary rectory was purchased at 68 Oxford Road from Mr. Frank Keating for the sum of $7,500 in February of 1964 and the priests moved in over August. A general parish drive was held by the men of the parish under direction of Foley Associates, Inc. of Rochester, NY and on February 16, 1964, over $276,000 was pledged for the building program. Bids were opened on July 3rd and the general construction contract was given to Tomaselli Construction Co., Inc. The ground breaking ceremony took place on August 24, 1964 with Bishop David F. Cunningham turning the first spade of earth. The Sherman mansion was demolished and excavation proceeded. The cellar of the church and rectory was poured in the fall of 1964 but winter held up further construction. Work began in the spring and proceeded through the year 1965. Many hoped that Christmas could be celebrated in the new church but marble from Ital had delayed in transit and the completion was moved in to the new year. The day of dedication of the new church, which seats 1000 people, took place on Sunday, January 23, 1966. A Solemn Mass was celebrated at 10.45 am by the Pastor, Monsignor Thomas J. Hayes, with Bishop Foery presiding and Bishop Cunningham in the sanctuary. A month later the rectory was also finished and the priests moved into their new home. Today, there are more than 1,500 families registered in the parish. PASTORAL LEADERSHIP 1883-Current Rev. John F. Mullany 1883-1886 Rev. William H. Griffin 1886-1933 Rev. John O’Brien 1934 - 1962 Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Hayes 1962-1976 Rev. Msgr. William J. Donovan 1976-1987 Rev. Paul J. Drobin 1987 - 1999 Rev. Darr F. Schoenhofen 2000-2002 Rev. Joseph Zareski 2002- to present Send history comments to webmaster@stjohnsnh.com	Welcome Religious Education Mass Schedule Directory Parish Life History of Our Parish The Sunday Bulletin Map to our Parish Social Ministry Faithful Links Parish Council Meeting Minutes Forms Contact Us
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