Our Lady Queen of Peace

Expanding congregations at St. Louis in Pittsford and Our Lady of Lourdes in Brighton prompted Bp. Kearney to conclude early in 1960 that a new parish should be created in Brighton's southeastern section. Fr. James Slattery was selected as the founding pastor of what he would name Our Lady Queen of Peace. On behalf of the diocese, Msgr. John Randall acquired 10 acres on Edgewood Avenue, purchasing the land from Shantz Homes for $30,000. By canvassing the neighborhood door to door, the pastor identified 204 households in the new parish territory. Bp. Kearney formally established Our Lady Queen of Peace parish on September 14, 1960.

The original plan called for a large structure to serve initially as a temporary church before being converted to a school gymnasium. A building campaign launched in November 1960 generated $150,000 of the required $300,000, and Edwin J. Ribson was engaged as architect. The first construction phase yielded a temporary church and four school classrooms. Mass was first celebrated in February 1962, and Bp. Kearney dedicated the building on April 29th. The school welcomed students later that year.

During the mid-1960s, four additional classrooms were constructed along with a convent for the Sisters of Mercy, who operated the school. Changing demographics in the surrounding area led to a 1966 decision against building a permanent church and rectory. By the 1970s, the parish remained modest at approximately 500 registered families but was stable with an expanding array of ministries and committees.

Before retiring as founding pastor, Fr. Slattery established three objectives for the parish: renovating the worship space, conducting a parish-wide census, and building a parish center. These aims would be realized over the following fifteen years. Local demographics continued to challenge growth, reducing registered families to around 400. Declining enrollment forced the parish school to close in 1988. Despite these hardships, the community increasingly emphasized charitable outreach and social ministry.

A building campaign in the early 1990s addressed the priorities Fr. Slattery had articulated roughly five years earlier. Parishioners contributed $300,000 to renovate the church, which was reconfigured "in the round" with the altar moved from the far wall to the center. The altar rail was removed, and the Blessed Sacrament was relocated to a separate chapel beside the main worship space. Renovations concluded in 1992, with Bp. Matthew Clark rededicating the church on December 8, 1993.

Registered families climbed back to 525 by 1997. Under Fr. Joseph Hart's leadership, discussions began about adding a gathering space to the church. When Fr. Hart was appointed Vicar General for the Diocese of Rochester in 1998, Sr. Jackie Reichart assumed the role of lay administrator to manage the building project. Fr. Hart continued serving the community as an assisting priest. In 1999, a building committee launched the initiative titled "Building of Faith for the Future." The resulting parish hall, named in honor of founding pastor Fr. Slattery, was dedicated by Bp. Clark on Dec. 17, 2000. The project also added a new narthex and gathering space and renovated the adoration chapel.

Multiple leadership transitions occurred during the latter half of the 2000s. Margaret Ostromecki, previously a pastoral associate, became lay administrator in 2007. In 2008, the parish was clustered with neighboring St. Thomas More in Brighton, with Ostromecki serving as administrator for both communities and Fr. Michael Upson joining as assisting priest. Fr. Bernard Dan succeeded Fr. Upson in 2009, followed by Fr. William Coffas in 2010, who served concurrently with his responsibilities at Becket Hall discernment house. A 2013 building campaign sought $500,000 for roof replacement, parking lot repairs, and upgrades to the organ and sound system. Membership has held steady in recent years.

Fr. Hart resumed his former position as Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in June 2015, now serving simultaneously as Pastor of St. Thomas More.