Our Roots

It was in 1841 that the first priest called at Scottsville to celebrate Mass. The Catholics in the Scottsville-Mumford-Caledonia District were organized into a "mission station". Mass was said infrequently and on those occasions in private homes.

The Irish population of New York increased rapidly and by 1848 the first Bishop of the newly established Diocese of Buffalo, Right Rev. John Timon, C.M., created a parish at Scottsville. Its first pastor, Father Edward O'Connor was given charge of three missions: Mumfordville, Caledonia and Lima-Geneseo. The missions could expect to celebrate Mass oftener now - but still only once each month.

Mumford tradition has it that the first Mass was said there in 1850 in the Michael Callan house, which still stands across the street from St. Patrick's Church. The table that was used for the Mass is in the possession of Mary Skivington. She was given the table by her aunt Alice Skelly.

In the fall of 1853, Father James McGlew, then pastor at Scottsville, took up the subscription for the purchase of the lot for a church for Mumford. Two Hundred and Fifty adult members of the congregation - from Caledonia and from Mumford - contributed to the fund and the church was ready by the Spring of 1854.

The land and church cost $ 780. 00 and the average yearly income of the church was $1200.00. To whom would they dedicate their church? The patron saint of their homeland - St. Patrick.

The people had little - but shared much. A yearly donation of 70 bags of potatoes and $30.00 was sent to St. Mary's Orphan Asylum by the Mumford parishioners.


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