St. Mary

St. Mary's Parish was established on July 13, 1834, as Rochester's second Roman Catholic parish after St. Patrick's. The parish was first housed in a former Methodist church that had been purchased and renovated for Catholic worship.

The cornerstone of the current church building was blessed on September 18, 1853, by Bishop John Timon of Buffalo (the Diocese of Rochester was not formed until 1868). The building was dedicated on October 24, 1858, with Bishop Timon presiding. This makes St. Mary the oldest Catholic church building in Rochester. When completed, the walls, ceiling, and pillars were all painted with biblical stories and scenes from the lives of the saints, illuminated by over 130 gas-burning lamps.

A new brick rectory was added in 1905, and the north tower was completed with a spire and belfry designed by Richard B. Arnold in 1939-1940. In recognition of its architectural and historical significance, both the church and rectory were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Today, St. Mary is part of the Southeast Rochester Catholic Community, along with Blessed Sacrament and St. Boniface churches.