History of Three Parishes: St. John's, Transfiguration and St. Helen's
Introduction:
What follows here is a brief history of three parishes which, today, come together under the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each parish brings to this union a lively faith and inspiring history. It has been said that to know where one comes from is to know who one is and to have a sense of where one is going. As we listen to these intertwined histories may we each dedicate ourselves to embrace the road that lies ahead knowing that we do no travel along but always under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and under the protection of our mother, Mary.The heritage of each of these communities now belongs to all of us. We build the future, standing on the shoulders of all who have gone before. Nothing is lost to us except that which we, each and all, choose not to preserve and share.
St John’s:
St. John’s Parish of Olean was established on the 28th day of April, 1896 in the north end of the city of Olean. This section of Olean was then known as Rogerville which later, together with a small settlement called Boardmanville, was taken in to form the greater City of Olean. According to the Buffalo Diocesan historian, Msgr. Donahue, “many Catholics lived in the northern part of Olean and as St. Mary’s Parish was very large, the Catholics of this section thought they were sufficiently numerous and financially able to build a church for themselves.” They sent a petition to Bishop Ryan who gave consent for the founding of the parish. Land for the new parish was purchased from the United States Leather Company for twenty-five hundred dollars and ground was broken for the church and rectory. A succession of pastors, Fr. Thomas Haire who served as first pastor and organizer of the new parish, Fr James Mooney who directed the parish until his death in 1904 and Fr John Gardner who served as pastor until 1933 worked to establish and strengthen the fledgling parish community.
Transfiguration:
Beginning in 1902 the Polish population in Olean was quickly becoming a definite factor in the community. Immigrants of Polish and Slavic origin had come to settle in North Olean after being drawn to this region because of the prospects of finding work and because other family members were now living here. A committee representing this nationality was formed to apply to the Bishop of Buffalo for the establishment of a parish here. It was requested that the priest be able to speak the languages of the people in the surrounding areas. At that time, Polish, English and Latin were the predominant languages.
On June 22, 1902 the cornerstone of the church was laid at 1102 Walnut Street. This was to become Transfiguration Church. As reported at the time, a special train from Buffalo brought about 1,000 people to Olean for the occasion. Additionally, a parade began at the corner of North Union and Sullivan Streets and which included societies from all of Olean, Salamanca and Buffalo was held celebrating the day. Inside the corner stone which was laid by Bishop James E. Quigley, numerous coins, papers and other artifacts were placed to commemorate the day. After only a few months Transfiguration Church was dedicated by Bishop Quigley with the assistance of the first pastor, Fr. Walter Hordych. There were 42 families as the foundation of the parish. In 1904 Fr. Constanine Brzoska became pastor. In 1906 Fr. Leonard Podlewski succeeded him and under his leadership the rectory and first school were built. The Felician Sisters taught grades one through eight beginning in 1907 with an enrollment of 127 students in three classrooms. In 1909 Fr Ladislaus Bartowski succeeded Fr. Podlewski. He was replaced, after only a short time by Fr. Louis Leichert. In 1910 the first parish “Fair” was held. The proceeds provided decoration for the interior of the church including the stained glass windows of the Transfigured Christ and the Immaculate Conception and the statue of St. Joseph. In 1912 Fr. Thomas Gwozdz was named pastor. He served until 1921 when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Czerwinski. In 1926 a convent was built for the Felician Sisters. Until that time they had been residing on the second floor of the school. In 1934 Fr. Constantine Slizewski became the parish’s eighth pastor.
St John’s:
Meanwhile, at St. John’s Fr. Gardner died in 1933 and was succeeded by Fr. Charles Mc Hugh. Fr. McHugh undertook many needed repairs in both church and rectory. Among these were the addition of quarters for an assistant pastor. In May of 1934 Fr. Francis O’Meara was named the first assistant pastor at St. John’s. Fr. McHugh refurnished the rectory, pained the exterior of the Church and rectory and reroofed both buildings. The church was redecorated and its basement was completely excavated to provide for a church hall and complete kitchen, as well as an altar servers room and a boiler room. A two car garage southeast of the Rectory was also built. Fr. McHugh directed a complete census of the parish and established various parish societies. Upon Fr. McHugh’s death in 1935 Fr. O’Meara was appointed administrator. In July, 1935 Bishop Quigley appointed Fr. William Quinlan, Pastor of St. John’s Parish. Fr. Quinlan secured the use of nearby “School Seven” for Religious Instructions which took place for two hours each Saturday under the guidance of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany from St. Elizabeth’s Acadamy. Fr. Quinlan also redecorated the church and installed new lighting. A new pipe organ was also installed in the church at the cost of $3,500.00. A parish member, Mr. John Schleigh, did the installation of the organ and oversaw its maintenance for many years afterwards. In 1950 Fr. Quinlan was transferred and Fr. Joseph O’Conner was appointed pastor. At the direction of Bishop O’Hara Fr. O’Conner set about to build a school for the parish which was dedicated and opened on September 13, 1953. The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany were engaged to teach in the school. The cost of the building was over three hundred thousand dollars.
St. Helen’s:
For many years the Catholic population of Hinsdale was small. The earliest records indicate that ciruit riding priests made periodic visits to the homes of local Catholics as early as the 1840’s During these visits the priest would celebrate mass in one of the homes. While the community was small, two Catholic Bishops came from Hinsdale, Bishop John McMahon who first served in Buffalo and later became Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey and Bishop John O’Hern who was the bishop of Rochester, New York from 1929-1933. In 1947 Fr. Roy Crissy was the first priest assigned to St. Helen’s Church. He first offered mass in a parishioners home and on December 25th, 1947 Mass was celebrated in the Rectory, former home of Alonzo Hawley. A portion of the residence had been made into a Chapel. From then until the summer of 1949 parishioners held fundraisers to pay for a new church. The priest in residence at the time when the church was built in 1949 was Fr. Anthony Caligiuri. Bishop O’Hara dedicated the church in September of that year dedicating it to St. Helen in honor of his sister, Helen.
Transfiguration:
In 1939 Fr. John Glazik succeeded Fr. Czerwinski as pastor of Transfiguration parish. Under his guidance various parish sodalities and societies were established. The church was remodeled and renewed with fresh paint, rubber tiles and new furnishings. The sanctuary and interior of the church were redecorated and new lights were installed through funds raised by parishioners. Likewise the parochial school, convent and rectory were also renovated. Although a flood in 1942 did much damage throughout the city of Olean, the church was spared the worst of the damage. In the years that followed, the church continued to grow. In June of 1952 Transfiguration celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a solemn high mass and banquet with more than 500 people in attendance. Fr. Walter Hordych and 23 of the original parishioners were in attendance. In 1953 Fr. Joseph Rojek was appointed pastor. Seeing the need for a new school Fr. Rojek undertook its construction beginning in 1958. As had been the case with the Church, the school went up quickly. By this time there were some 400 members of Transfiguration Parish.
Yet the church had also expanded its “makeup” and was no longer serving just the Polish community. In 1959 Fr. Ceslaus Kotkiewicz was appointed pastor. He was succeeded in 1963 by Fr. Henry Laskowski. Under Fr. Laskowski the church underwent an extensive painting and redecorating project. Through the generosity of parishioners and friends improvements such as a new heating system were made.
St John’s:
The school debt of over 300 thousand dollars was a heavy burden on the parish. In August of 1959 a new pastor, the Rev. John Mullaney, was installed. He instituted Bingo to help reduce the debt. Toward the end of that year, Fr. Mullaney’s health failed and he resigned as pastor.
Fr. Ralph Federico was appointed as administrator of St. John’s. In September, 1960, Rev. Norman O’Meara was installed as pastor of St John’s and he began a program of Financial Awareness aimed at reducing the debts that had accumulated. He also purchased the property next to the church and began plans for a convent for the sisters. In the space of just one year, Fr. O’Meara paid all outstanding debts, placed the school debt under control and completed the preliminary work for the new convent. In August of 1960 Fr. O’Meara was transferred to Wellsville and was succeeded by Fr. Francis J. O’Meara. He continued the work of his predecessor and began the St. John’s Development Fund to raise the money needed for the project.Under the careful management of Fr. O’Meara and the wise lay advisors and Trustees of St. John’s the parish debt on the school was fully retired in 1971 and a new boiler installed in the fall of the next year.
St Helen’s:
From 1947- 1970 St. Helen’s church was served by newly ordained priests. Each would serve for a year’s time under the tutelage of the Pastor of the parish in Delevan, New York. While this gave these new priests wonderful pastoral experience it was not always easy for the people of the parish who would just get to know their spiritual leader only to have him move on. A parish Hall was built in 1962 In 1970, the priests from Archbishop Walsh High School took on the responsibility of St. Helen’s Fr. Edward Muerder led the parish from 1972-1982. During his tenure, the church was renovated to meet the recent changes inspired by the Second Vatican Council. In 1982 Fr Muerder was succeeded by Fr. Gerald Kasinski who served as pastor for the next year. Fr. Barry Allaire was appointed pastor of St. Helen’s in 1983. He became the first resident pastor since 1970. In 1990 two stained glass windows were made for the church by the Rev. Daniel Hoffman, a Lutheran pastor. The Parish Council was reestablished in 1992 and the Parish held membership of seventy-seven households. While St. Helen’s parish was closed in 2008 and merged with St. John’s the Spirit which so animated the people of Hinsdale continues and animates the Church wherever people who call St. Helen’s their home may be found.
Transfiguration:
With Vatican II and the introduction of the vernacular into the liturgy the cherished hymns and verses of Transfigurations history continued to be preserved even amidst the changes of liturgical life. In 1980 Fr. Francis Zmozynski succeeded Fr. Laskowski as Pastor. In the midst of challenging times it was necessary to close the school for lack of enrollment in 1980 and the parish reached a critical crossroad where the parishioners had to decide on the future of the parish they came together in support of their beloved parish. In 1981 an extensive renovation project was begun with the support of some 400 family members. In November a new organ was dedicated at the Thanksgiving eve mass and in December 1983 the first electronic candles were introduced in an Olean Church. Also, in 1983 a painting of St. Cecilia was commissioned and still is housed in the choir loft of the church. In March 1991 Rev. Jerome Stelmach become pastor of Transfiguration Church and during his tenure a number of renovations occurred as well as a strengthening of the Parish “Fair” which annual inaugurates the summer festivals throughout the Olean area. New altar, podium and pews as well as paint and other improvements show the pride and support of the people of Transfiguration Parish. In November of 2009 Tansfiguration Parishioners received word that they would, at last become an Oratory connected to St. John’s Parish, Olean. Throughout the process which has led to this painful change the faith of the people of this parish has shown through and they have repeatedly said that they will follow wherever the Lord is leading them. True disciples of Jesus Christ, the parishioners of Transfiguration parish carry their strong faith and ethnic traditions into the future empowered by the Spirit and for the glory of God.
St John’s:
In June of 1979, St. John’s Parish celebrated the twenty-fifth Anniversary of the opening of the school and Fr. O’Meara’s 45th anniversary of ordination to priesthood. The following year saw the expansion of parish ministries such as Eucharistic Ministers, the revitalization of the parish adult choir and the modernization of the church. At the end of 1982, Fr. O’Meara retired as pastor of St. John’s and was succeeded by Fr James Kelly who served St. John’s for the next 10 years. 1983 saw the inauguration of the “Festa Italiana” in honor of our Lady of Mount Carmel and as a source of funds for the parish. Begun as a “block party” this Festa has grown over the years and now attracts visitors – and workers from all parts of the country. Minor renovations were made to the facilities, the church, the parish hall and the school. The large statues in the church were newly positioned in a shrine formerly occupied by one of the church confessionals.
Donald Radlinski was ordained to the permanent diaconate in October of 1990. Because of falling enrollment, St. John’s School was regionalized in 1989 and became a part of “Southern Tier Catholic School” which still serves the Olean area. In 1992 Fr. Kelly was succeeded by Rev. William Wangler who would serve as Pastor for the next sixteen years. In 1993 a Bereavement Committee was begun to offer a luncheon to families following the funeral of their loved one at St. John’s . In 1995 an extensive renovation was undertaken resulting ultimately in a new front entrance to the Church on Union Street and a handicapped accessible entrance on the side of the chuch including an elevator which allows access to all levels of the church and parish hall. Additonal work provided for a newly renovated kitchen in the parish hall, remodeled restrooms and other amenities.
In July of 2008 Fr. Wangler, elevated now to the title of Monsignor retired and was succeed in August of that year by Fr. James Vacco, OFM who served as Administrator until May of 2009.
In May of 2009, Fr. Edward Sheedy was appointed twelfth pastor of St. John’s Parish.
The generosity and faith of the people of St. John’s has allowed the parish to flourish and their example has touched the life of those in Olean and beyond.
The Future:
On January 3, 2010 at a liturgy celebrated at 1:00 PM beginning in Transfiguration Church and continuing in St. John’s a new chapter in the lives of three parishes begins. St. Helen’s, Hinsdale, already merged with St. John’s as of July of 2008 and now Transfiguration, designated as an Oratory, a special place of prayer, as well as St. John’s Parish begin now to move forward in witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the furthering of God’s Kingdom. The pages to come will be written by those who gather today as people of faith. They bring with them the rich heritage of three wonderful, faith filled communities. They come together continue that rich heritage, to support one another and most of all to center their faith life on Jesus Christ. How providential that this joining takes place on the Feast of the Epiphany. The gospel for that day ends with the words. “ … they returned home by another route.” Under the guidance of the one whom those wise men came to see so long ago, we too journey forward, perhaps not as we had planned or envisioned, certainly by “another route” but we journey forward led by the Spirit of the one whom we call Lord. May God who has begun this good work in us bring it to fulfillment in accord with His gracious plan!
What follows here is a brief history of three parishes which, today, come together under the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each parish brings to this union a lively faith and inspiring history. It has been said that to know where one comes from is to know who one is and to have a sense of where one is going. As we listen to these intertwined histories may we each dedicate ourselves to embrace the road that lies ahead knowing that we do no travel along but always under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and under the protection of our mother, Mary.The heritage of each of these communities now belongs to all of us. We build the future, standing on the shoulders of all who have gone before. Nothing is lost to us except that which we, each and all, choose not to preserve and share.
St John’s:
St. John’s Parish of Olean was established on the 28th day of April, 1896 in the north end of the city of Olean. This section of Olean was then known as Rogerville which later, together with a small settlement called Boardmanville, was taken in to form the greater City of Olean. According to the Buffalo Diocesan historian, Msgr. Donahue, “many Catholics lived in the northern part of Olean and as St. Mary’s Parish was very large, the Catholics of this section thought they were sufficiently numerous and financially able to build a church for themselves.” They sent a petition to Bishop Ryan who gave consent for the founding of the parish. Land for the new parish was purchased from the United States Leather Company for twenty-five hundred dollars and ground was broken for the church and rectory. A succession of pastors, Fr. Thomas Haire who served as first pastor and organizer of the new parish, Fr James Mooney who directed the parish until his death in 1904 and Fr John Gardner who served as pastor until 1933 worked to establish and strengthen the fledgling parish community.
Transfiguration:
Beginning in 1902 the Polish population in Olean was quickly becoming a definite factor in the community. Immigrants of Polish and Slavic origin had come to settle in North Olean after being drawn to this region because of the prospects of finding work and because other family members were now living here. A committee representing this nationality was formed to apply to the Bishop of Buffalo for the establishment of a parish here. It was requested that the priest be able to speak the languages of the people in the surrounding areas. At that time, Polish, English and Latin were the predominant languages.
On June 22, 1902 the cornerstone of the church was laid at 1102 Walnut Street. This was to become Transfiguration Church. As reported at the time, a special train from Buffalo brought about 1,000 people to Olean for the occasion. Additionally, a parade began at the corner of North Union and Sullivan Streets and which included societies from all of Olean, Salamanca and Buffalo was held celebrating the day. Inside the corner stone which was laid by Bishop James E. Quigley, numerous coins, papers and other artifacts were placed to commemorate the day. After only a few months Transfiguration Church was dedicated by Bishop Quigley with the assistance of the first pastor, Fr. Walter Hordych. There were 42 families as the foundation of the parish. In 1904 Fr. Constanine Brzoska became pastor. In 1906 Fr. Leonard Podlewski succeeded him and under his leadership the rectory and first school were built. The Felician Sisters taught grades one through eight beginning in 1907 with an enrollment of 127 students in three classrooms. In 1909 Fr Ladislaus Bartowski succeeded Fr. Podlewski. He was replaced, after only a short time by Fr. Louis Leichert. In 1910 the first parish “Fair” was held. The proceeds provided decoration for the interior of the church including the stained glass windows of the Transfigured Christ and the Immaculate Conception and the statue of St. Joseph. In 1912 Fr. Thomas Gwozdz was named pastor. He served until 1921 when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Czerwinski. In 1926 a convent was built for the Felician Sisters. Until that time they had been residing on the second floor of the school. In 1934 Fr. Constantine Slizewski became the parish’s eighth pastor.
St John’s:
Meanwhile, at St. John’s Fr. Gardner died in 1933 and was succeeded by Fr. Charles Mc Hugh. Fr. McHugh undertook many needed repairs in both church and rectory. Among these were the addition of quarters for an assistant pastor. In May of 1934 Fr. Francis O’Meara was named the first assistant pastor at St. John’s. Fr. McHugh refurnished the rectory, pained the exterior of the Church and rectory and reroofed both buildings. The church was redecorated and its basement was completely excavated to provide for a church hall and complete kitchen, as well as an altar servers room and a boiler room. A two car garage southeast of the Rectory was also built. Fr. McHugh directed a complete census of the parish and established various parish societies. Upon Fr. McHugh’s death in 1935 Fr. O’Meara was appointed administrator. In July, 1935 Bishop Quigley appointed Fr. William Quinlan, Pastor of St. John’s Parish. Fr. Quinlan secured the use of nearby “School Seven” for Religious Instructions which took place for two hours each Saturday under the guidance of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany from St. Elizabeth’s Acadamy. Fr. Quinlan also redecorated the church and installed new lighting. A new pipe organ was also installed in the church at the cost of $3,500.00. A parish member, Mr. John Schleigh, did the installation of the organ and oversaw its maintenance for many years afterwards. In 1950 Fr. Quinlan was transferred and Fr. Joseph O’Conner was appointed pastor. At the direction of Bishop O’Hara Fr. O’Conner set about to build a school for the parish which was dedicated and opened on September 13, 1953. The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany were engaged to teach in the school. The cost of the building was over three hundred thousand dollars.
St. Helen’s:
For many years the Catholic population of Hinsdale was small. The earliest records indicate that ciruit riding priests made periodic visits to the homes of local Catholics as early as the 1840’s During these visits the priest would celebrate mass in one of the homes. While the community was small, two Catholic Bishops came from Hinsdale, Bishop John McMahon who first served in Buffalo and later became Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey and Bishop John O’Hern who was the bishop of Rochester, New York from 1929-1933. In 1947 Fr. Roy Crissy was the first priest assigned to St. Helen’s Church. He first offered mass in a parishioners home and on December 25th, 1947 Mass was celebrated in the Rectory, former home of Alonzo Hawley. A portion of the residence had been made into a Chapel. From then until the summer of 1949 parishioners held fundraisers to pay for a new church. The priest in residence at the time when the church was built in 1949 was Fr. Anthony Caligiuri. Bishop O’Hara dedicated the church in September of that year dedicating it to St. Helen in honor of his sister, Helen.
Transfiguration:
In 1939 Fr. John Glazik succeeded Fr. Czerwinski as pastor of Transfiguration parish. Under his guidance various parish sodalities and societies were established. The church was remodeled and renewed with fresh paint, rubber tiles and new furnishings. The sanctuary and interior of the church were redecorated and new lights were installed through funds raised by parishioners. Likewise the parochial school, convent and rectory were also renovated. Although a flood in 1942 did much damage throughout the city of Olean, the church was spared the worst of the damage. In the years that followed, the church continued to grow. In June of 1952 Transfiguration celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a solemn high mass and banquet with more than 500 people in attendance. Fr. Walter Hordych and 23 of the original parishioners were in attendance. In 1953 Fr. Joseph Rojek was appointed pastor. Seeing the need for a new school Fr. Rojek undertook its construction beginning in 1958. As had been the case with the Church, the school went up quickly. By this time there were some 400 members of Transfiguration Parish.
Yet the church had also expanded its “makeup” and was no longer serving just the Polish community. In 1959 Fr. Ceslaus Kotkiewicz was appointed pastor. He was succeeded in 1963 by Fr. Henry Laskowski. Under Fr. Laskowski the church underwent an extensive painting and redecorating project. Through the generosity of parishioners and friends improvements such as a new heating system were made.
St John’s:
The school debt of over 300 thousand dollars was a heavy burden on the parish. In August of 1959 a new pastor, the Rev. John Mullaney, was installed. He instituted Bingo to help reduce the debt. Toward the end of that year, Fr. Mullaney’s health failed and he resigned as pastor.
Fr. Ralph Federico was appointed as administrator of St. John’s. In September, 1960, Rev. Norman O’Meara was installed as pastor of St John’s and he began a program of Financial Awareness aimed at reducing the debts that had accumulated. He also purchased the property next to the church and began plans for a convent for the sisters. In the space of just one year, Fr. O’Meara paid all outstanding debts, placed the school debt under control and completed the preliminary work for the new convent. In August of 1960 Fr. O’Meara was transferred to Wellsville and was succeeded by Fr. Francis J. O’Meara. He continued the work of his predecessor and began the St. John’s Development Fund to raise the money needed for the project.Under the careful management of Fr. O’Meara and the wise lay advisors and Trustees of St. John’s the parish debt on the school was fully retired in 1971 and a new boiler installed in the fall of the next year.
St Helen’s:
From 1947- 1970 St. Helen’s church was served by newly ordained priests. Each would serve for a year’s time under the tutelage of the Pastor of the parish in Delevan, New York. While this gave these new priests wonderful pastoral experience it was not always easy for the people of the parish who would just get to know their spiritual leader only to have him move on. A parish Hall was built in 1962 In 1970, the priests from Archbishop Walsh High School took on the responsibility of St. Helen’s Fr. Edward Muerder led the parish from 1972-1982. During his tenure, the church was renovated to meet the recent changes inspired by the Second Vatican Council. In 1982 Fr Muerder was succeeded by Fr. Gerald Kasinski who served as pastor for the next year. Fr. Barry Allaire was appointed pastor of St. Helen’s in 1983. He became the first resident pastor since 1970. In 1990 two stained glass windows were made for the church by the Rev. Daniel Hoffman, a Lutheran pastor. The Parish Council was reestablished in 1992 and the Parish held membership of seventy-seven households. While St. Helen’s parish was closed in 2008 and merged with St. John’s the Spirit which so animated the people of Hinsdale continues and animates the Church wherever people who call St. Helen’s their home may be found.
Transfiguration:
With Vatican II and the introduction of the vernacular into the liturgy the cherished hymns and verses of Transfigurations history continued to be preserved even amidst the changes of liturgical life. In 1980 Fr. Francis Zmozynski succeeded Fr. Laskowski as Pastor. In the midst of challenging times it was necessary to close the school for lack of enrollment in 1980 and the parish reached a critical crossroad where the parishioners had to decide on the future of the parish they came together in support of their beloved parish. In 1981 an extensive renovation project was begun with the support of some 400 family members. In November a new organ was dedicated at the Thanksgiving eve mass and in December 1983 the first electronic candles were introduced in an Olean Church. Also, in 1983 a painting of St. Cecilia was commissioned and still is housed in the choir loft of the church. In March 1991 Rev. Jerome Stelmach become pastor of Transfiguration Church and during his tenure a number of renovations occurred as well as a strengthening of the Parish “Fair” which annual inaugurates the summer festivals throughout the Olean area. New altar, podium and pews as well as paint and other improvements show the pride and support of the people of Transfiguration Parish. In November of 2009 Tansfiguration Parishioners received word that they would, at last become an Oratory connected to St. John’s Parish, Olean. Throughout the process which has led to this painful change the faith of the people of this parish has shown through and they have repeatedly said that they will follow wherever the Lord is leading them. True disciples of Jesus Christ, the parishioners of Transfiguration parish carry their strong faith and ethnic traditions into the future empowered by the Spirit and for the glory of God.
St John’s:
In June of 1979, St. John’s Parish celebrated the twenty-fifth Anniversary of the opening of the school and Fr. O’Meara’s 45th anniversary of ordination to priesthood. The following year saw the expansion of parish ministries such as Eucharistic Ministers, the revitalization of the parish adult choir and the modernization of the church. At the end of 1982, Fr. O’Meara retired as pastor of St. John’s and was succeeded by Fr James Kelly who served St. John’s for the next 10 years. 1983 saw the inauguration of the “Festa Italiana” in honor of our Lady of Mount Carmel and as a source of funds for the parish. Begun as a “block party” this Festa has grown over the years and now attracts visitors – and workers from all parts of the country. Minor renovations were made to the facilities, the church, the parish hall and the school. The large statues in the church were newly positioned in a shrine formerly occupied by one of the church confessionals.
Donald Radlinski was ordained to the permanent diaconate in October of 1990. Because of falling enrollment, St. John’s School was regionalized in 1989 and became a part of “Southern Tier Catholic School” which still serves the Olean area. In 1992 Fr. Kelly was succeeded by Rev. William Wangler who would serve as Pastor for the next sixteen years. In 1993 a Bereavement Committee was begun to offer a luncheon to families following the funeral of their loved one at St. John’s . In 1995 an extensive renovation was undertaken resulting ultimately in a new front entrance to the Church on Union Street and a handicapped accessible entrance on the side of the chuch including an elevator which allows access to all levels of the church and parish hall. Additonal work provided for a newly renovated kitchen in the parish hall, remodeled restrooms and other amenities.
In July of 2008 Fr. Wangler, elevated now to the title of Monsignor retired and was succeed in August of that year by Fr. James Vacco, OFM who served as Administrator until May of 2009.
In May of 2009, Fr. Edward Sheedy was appointed twelfth pastor of St. John’s Parish.
The generosity and faith of the people of St. John’s has allowed the parish to flourish and their example has touched the life of those in Olean and beyond.
The Future:
On January 3, 2010 at a liturgy celebrated at 1:00 PM beginning in Transfiguration Church and continuing in St. John’s a new chapter in the lives of three parishes begins. St. Helen’s, Hinsdale, already merged with St. John’s as of July of 2008 and now Transfiguration, designated as an Oratory, a special place of prayer, as well as St. John’s Parish begin now to move forward in witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the furthering of God’s Kingdom. The pages to come will be written by those who gather today as people of faith. They bring with them the rich heritage of three wonderful, faith filled communities. They come together continue that rich heritage, to support one another and most of all to center their faith life on Jesus Christ. How providential that this joining takes place on the Feast of the Epiphany. The gospel for that day ends with the words. “ … they returned home by another route.” Under the guidance of the one whom those wise men came to see so long ago, we too journey forward, perhaps not as we had planned or envisioned, certainly by “another route” but we journey forward led by the Spirit of the one whom we call Lord. May God who has begun this good work in us bring it to fulfillment in accord with His gracious plan!
