St. Michael

St. Michael Church was established in 1852 in Lyons, the county seat of Wayne County, located along the historic Erie Canal corridor. The parish was founded to serve the Irish Catholic workers who had come to the area to build and maintain the canal, and who settled in this prosperous village.

The early years saw frequent changes in pastoral leadership, reflecting the challenges of staffing parishes in rural western New York. Father Daniel Kavanaugh provided the first extended pastorate, serving 15 years from 1888 to 1903. The present church building was constructed in 1890.

Monsignor John F. Neary led the parish for 24 years from 1944 to 1968, providing stability during the post-war era. Father Richard J. Orlando continued this tradition with a remarkable 25-year pastorate from 1968 to 1993.

In recent years, St. Michael has been served by lay administrators including Deborah A. Housel and Sister Diane Dennie, SSJ—reflecting the Diocese of Rochester's creative approach to parish leadership. Today, St. Michael is part of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, continuing to serve Catholics in Lyons and Wayne County.