Churches of Rochester
St. Stephen

St. Stephen

Active

City of Geneva, Ontario County

St. Stephen Church was established in 1904 to serve the Catholic community in Geneva, a city at the northern tip of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region. The parish was named for St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

The parish's early history is remarkable for its leadership by two priests named McPadden—likely related. Father Stephen V. McPadden served as the founding pastor for 20 years from 1904 until his death in 1924. Monsignor William H. McPadden then continued this legacy for another 29 years until 1953. Together, the McPaddens led St. Stephen for nearly half a century, providing extraordinary continuity during the parish's formative decades.

The present church building was dedicated on September 1, 1912, under Father Stephen McPadden's leadership. The church's location on Pulteney Street placed it at the heart of Geneva's Catholic community.

Monsignor Gerard C. Krieg provided another era of long service, leading the parish for 16 years from 1983 to 1999. Today, St. Stephen is part of Our Lady of Peace Parish, serving the Geneva community alongside St. Francis de Sales Church. The parish continues its mission in this vibrant Finger Lakes city, building on the foundation the McPaddens established over a century ago.

Exterior Photographs

Exterior. Front of the church. From left angle. Left side. Back left corner. Back of the church. Back right corner. Right side. From right angle. Statue of St. Stephen above main entrance. Church sign. Rectory. Rectory and covered hallway leading to church. School building. Sacred heart statue. Cornerstone. School cornerstone.

Former Church

Exterior of first church building used from 1904-1912. Was formerly a Dutch Reformed Church, then later a Masonic Temple. Now it's an apartment complex. 380 S. Main St. First church seen from right angle.

Interior Photographs

Interior. 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. Front of the church. Sanctuary. Sanctuary. Sanctuary. Altar. Sanctuary seen from angle. High altar seen from angle. High altar. Altar. Heron relief. St. Mark relief. St. Matthew relief. St. Luke relief. St. John relief. Statue in reredo. Statue in reredo. Statue in reredo. Statue in reredo. St. Stephen painting. Crucifix. Celebrant's chair. Server seating and one of the iron gates in the sanctuary. Former ambry. Ambo. Cantor stand and portion of altar rail. Baptismal font. Wood beam and crucifix. Crucifix atop sanctuary. Left shrine. Left side altar. Statue in reredo. Statue in reredo. Statue in reredo. Right shrine. Right side altar. Statue in reredo. Statue in reredo. Statue in reredo. Ambry. Side altar. Left transept. Shrine. Crucifix and bible. St. Theresa statue. Infant of Prague statue. Crucifix. Right transept. Confessional. Statue. Our Lady of Perpetual Help icon. Sacred heart statue. Angel statue. View down the arches on the left side. Memorial plaque. Holy water font. Religious items store. Narthex.

Stations of the Cross

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Stained Glass

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Large window above choir loft

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Historical Photographs

Exterior of first church as former Dutch Reformed Church used from 1904-1912, corner of S. Main and William St. The building still exists, but without the steeple and a tad enlongated. Source: New York Heritage Postcard illustration of first church, 1910. Exterior of church, 1939. Source: Catholic Courier Golden Jubilee Edition: 1889-1939