St. Alphonsus

On May 5, 1853, roughly 15 German families and five Irish families assembled at Frank's Hotel in Auburn for Mass and to establish a new Catholic parish—at that time, Holy Family was Auburn's sole Catholic church. For $400, they purchased property at 100 Wall St. near State St. to serve as the first St. Alphonsus church. This structure, a former barn converted into a cooper's shop, housed the congregation through difficult early years characterized by substantial debt and conflicts among parishioners that sometimes necessitated intervention by the Auburn Sheriff Department. As the parish expanded, these troubles eventually diminished.

Having outgrown their initial building, the congregation bought a former Millerite-Adventist church on Water St. on Mar. 26, 1861 for $1,900. Renovation work continued for several years, concluding in 1868. St. Alphonsus was transferred that year from the Diocese of Buffalo to the newly-formed Diocese of Rochester. Fr. Charles A. Vogel, arriving in 1869, was the first priest from the Rochester Diocese to lead the parish. Under his direction, a bell tower and adjoining rectory were built. Bp. Bernard McQuaid dedicated this second church on Nov. 26, 1871.

When Fr. Constantin Ulrich became Pastor in 1874, he established a temporary parish school at the Auburn Academy of Music on Aug. 6, 1874. Land at Franklin and Seminary Streets was acquired in 1886 under his guidance for a permanent school, which was finished during the tenure of his successor, Fr. Joseph Netzel. The Sisters of St. Joseph took charge on September 7, 1887, beginning with 126 students. Under Fr. Netzel, the church was renovated and two youth organizations were created. Bp. McQuaid attended the 35th anniversary celebration in 1888, during which parishioners raised money for stained glass windows and a Christmas nativity display. By 1890, parish membership had grown to approximately 160 families.

Fundraising in 1901 enabled construction of a new school building, which Bp. Thomas Hickey dedicated on July 29, 1905. The Holy Name Society was founded on April 30, 1907 with about 100 members. A fire on Mar. 11, 1910 caused severe damage, requiring replacement of the bell tower and organ. Additional renovations took place in 1914, 1921, and 1924, with the latter focusing on the school and rectory.

On Nov. 3, 1929, Fr. Frederick Straub purchased three lots on Genesee St. for what would become the third and current St. Alphonsus church. Building costs surpassed $80,000. Severe weather and the Auburn Prison riots caused delays, pushing completion to Dec. 21, 1930. Rochester architect George F. Lorenz designed the structure, which bears strong resemblance to his Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church in northeast Rochester, though it is shorter in length. Bp. Francis O'Hern officiated at the dedication.

Property on Owasco Lake was acquired on July 13, 1933 for a children's summer camp called "Camp Columbus." On June 27, 1941, a small chapel honoring Our Lady Queen of Peace was built there and remained a parish responsibility through the 1960s. Today, NYSARC, Inc. owns and operates both the camp and chapel.

In November 1938, the parish purchased 103 E. Genesee St. for use as a parish house containing two classrooms and a library. After Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941, St. Alphonsus initiated the "Prayer Front" ministry, which sent correspondence to soldiers and coordinated clothing and food collection efforts throughout World War II.

Bp. James Kearney dedicated a new school on Oct. 8, 1950, following its 1949 construction. Fr. Straub blessed an addition on Aug. 31, 1952. Student enrollment surpassed 700 in the early 1950s. This expansion led to construction of a new convent in 1962 and a parish center five years afterward. The St. Alphonsus Food Pantry began operations in 1972 and continues its community service today.

The 1970s brought slower growth. In 1973, St. Alphonsus school combined with other Auburn Catholic schools to form Blessed Trinity School, which occupied the former St. Alphonsus school building. The convent closed in December 1987 and was converted to housing for retired priests. St. Mary's school merged with the parish school in 1996 to create St. Joseph's School.

Extensive church renovations in 1990 gave the building its present appearance. Bp. Clark marked the church building's 70th anniversary on Sep. 30, 2000 and returned on May 5, 2003 for the 150th anniversary of the parish's founding.

Today, St. Alphonsus welcomes approximately 600 worshippers weekly and works cooperatively with neighboring Auburn parishes as priest shortages continue. St. Joseph School and the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry remain active in serving the community.