Churches of Rochester
St. Michael

St. Michael

Active

Penn Yan, Yates County

St. Michael Church was established in 1850 in Penn Yan, the county seat of Yates County at the northern end of Keuka Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine country. The parish was founded to serve the Catholic community in this rural region, which was growing through immigration and the expansion of local industries.

The present church building was constructed in 1902, providing a substantial worship space for the growing congregation. Father Eugene Pagani served for 16 years from 1876 to 1892, and Father Martin Hendrick continued with a 16-year pastorate from 1899 to 1915, giving the parish stable leadership during its formative decades.

Monsignor Joseph J. Sullivan and Father Thomas F. McVeigh together led the parish for 24 years in the mid-20th century. Father William C. Michatek served for 12 years from 1982 to 1994, guiding the community through the post-Vatican II era.

In recent decades, the parish has experimented with various leadership models, including co-pastorates. Today, St. Michael is part of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, serving Catholics throughout Yates County and the surrounding Finger Lakes region—an area now famous for its wineries and natural beauty.

Exterior Photographs

Exterior. From left angle. From right angle. Back right corner. Back of the church. Shrine to Our Lady. Church sign. Parish center. St. Michael school. School sign. Cornerstone on school.

Interior Photographs

Interior. From back left corner. Right side. Right transept. From front left corner. Back of the church. From front right corner. Left transept. Left side. From back right corner. Sanctuary seen from left angle. Sanctuary. Sanctuary seen from right angle. Altar. Ambo. Baptismal font. Chrisms. Crucifix. Celebrant's chair. Choir area with former altar rail. Sacred heart statue. Right side altar. Statue of Our Lady. Statue of St. Joseph. Side altar. Crucifix. Confession room. Confessional sign. Designs above confessional. Narthex. Crest. Sanctuary lamp holder. Painting. Good shepherd banner. Crucifix. Cross. Sacristy. Crucifix. Ceiling designs.

Stations of the Cross

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Stained Glass

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Chapel

Chapel interior. From back left corner. From left side. From front left corner. Back of the chapel. From front right corner. From right side. From back right corner. Altar. Crucifix. Pulpit. Statue of St. Joseph. Statue of Our Lady. St. Michael statue. Organ. Tabernacle.

Historical Photographs

Illustration of the original church that was utilized from 1850-1902 on Keuka (Pine) St. Source: Saint Michael's Church: One Hundred Years of Catholicism in Penn Yann, New York (parish history) Old postcard of present church. Old postcard of present church. Exterior of church, 1939. Source: Catholic Courier Golden Jubilee Edition: 1889-1939 Interior, 1950. Source: Saint Michael's Church: One Hundred Years of Catholicism in Penn Yann, New York (parish history) Interior, 1970. Interior, 1989. Former pastors.