Churchville - St. Vincent De Paul

St. Vincent de Paul Church was established as a mission in 1869, with priests from St. Patrick's Cathedral traveling to Churchville to serve the Catholic community in this rural village west of Rochester. Father Michael Meagher became the first resident pastor in 1873, giving the parish permanent leadership.

The present church building was constructed in 1885, providing a proper worship space for the growing congregation. Father Dennis J. Curran served for 17 years from 1882 to 1899, establishing the parish on solid footing. Father Philip E. Golding and Father John L. Maxwell each provided long tenures of service in the 20th century.

In more recent decades, St. Vincent de Paul has been notable for its use of lay administrators—a model that became increasingly common in the Diocese of Rochester. Charlotte Bruney served as parish administrator for 13 years from 1998 to 2011, providing stable leadership during a time when many rural parishes struggled with priest shortages. Irene Goodwin continued this tradition of lay leadership from 2011 to 2014.

Today, St. Vincent de Paul is part of St. Martin de Porres Parish, serving the Catholic community in Churchville and the surrounding area of western Monroe County.