St. Mary's School

First mention of the new school is made in the Gazette of March 10, 1898 where it is stated:

“Work on the new $13,000 school house which Father O’Dwyer is about to erect will soon be under way.”

The Spanish American War started this same year and Father O’Dwyer delivered a sermon on patriotism which was commented on in the Gazette of March 10, 1898 in the following manner:

The Reverend Father O’Dwyer delivered a discourse Sunday on the value of patriotism. He spoke regarding the awakening spirit of patriotism in the parish and referred to three boys – Nolan, Perkins and Hanrahan, who had gone to join the Navy. He said he had not encouraged the boys to join the Navy when they talked to him about it but he felt nevertheless that the pluck and patriotism of the young men should not be discouraged. If it was shown that the Maine was destroyed by an act of Spanish treachery and war should be declared, he said that the young men of his parish should be and would be among the first to enlist. He was glad that it had been already shown that St. Mary’s parish was even at this early date ready to furnish volunteers for the service of their country.

St. Mary's School
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Further evidence of the progress of the new school and convent was given publicity in the papers under the date of April 11, 1898:

The foundation for the new parochial school of St. Mary’s Parish has just been laid. The work on the structure will be immediately commenced. It will be of brick with stone trimmings and two stories in height. Father O’Dwyer has made arrangements for the construction of a brick convent.

The Gazette of May 5th of the same year mentions three new brick buildings going up at St. Mary’s:

The three large brick buildings which are being erected for the St. Mary’s parish are to be opened in the fall. One is to be used for the purposes of the parochial school, with an entertainment hall annex in the rear and a third is a convent. The parochial school building with entertainment hall annex will cost about $13,000 and the convent some $5,000 additional.

Another milestone was passed on June 29, 1898 when the Gazette carried the story of the opening of the new school:

St. Mary’s School was formally opened last evening. A large audience was present to witness the exercises which proved to be of a most interesting nature. The Queen City Band played an overture after which the guests were welcomed by Ella Richardson and Master Charles Finley. A feature of the evening was the production of “In the Days of Washington”, by the Junior class. The children were attired in costumes of the sixteenth century. “The International Flag Display” was most delightful, and called forth hearty applause.The first graduation in the new school was held July 7, 1898 and the story carried in the next day’s Gazette:

The annual commencement exercises of St. Mary’s parochial school were held last evening. The hall was prettily decorated and crowded. The first number on a program was a novel minuet by the members of the junior class. The children wore costumes of the sixteenth century. Miss Eleanor McInerny recited “Long Ago” in a delightful manner. The Brownie character song and the operetta “Titania” were greatly enjoyed. “The Confidential Clerk”, a dialogue was excellent. Mrs. Louise McInerny read the class Allegory after which the diplomas were distributed by the pastor, Rev. M. O’Dwyer.

First Graduating Class St. Mary's School, 1898

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The following are the graduates: Elizabeth Gradwell, Frederick Cooklin, Harriet Keavin, Cornelius Connelly, Sarah Canna, Michael Murphy, Louise McInerny, Susan Gradwell, Harriet Colligan, Katherine Murray, Julia Murtaugh, Mary Mantell, Edward O’Shea, Henry Cashill, James Powers, Simon Fennell, Frank Finley, Dennis Sullivan, Alice Recker.

Bishop McQuaid came on August 28th to dedicate the new school. This occasion was reported in the Gazette under the dates of August 27 and 29, 1898:

Bishop McQuaid of Rochester will be in the city tomorrow to dedicate the new St. Mary’s Convent and school. The Rochester Union and Advertiser says:

“On Sunday next Bishop McQuaid will go to Elmira to dedicate the convent and school just erected by the people of St. Mary’s parish in that city. He will return to Rochester on Monday.

“The buildings are of brick, two stories in height with a basement. That to be used as the parochial school is 76x49 feet and has a parochial hall in the rear which is 82x52 feet. The school fronts on Fulton Street. The convent building faces on Franklin Street and is to be occupied by the ten Sisters of St. Joseph who have charge of the school. “Father O’Dwyer has had charge of St. Mary’s parish for nineteen years or since St. Mary’s church was erected. The school which he erected has become inadequate for the needs of the 375 pupils in attendance and about two years ago he began the movement which resulted in the erection of the present building.

“The school and parochial hall building will cost about $13,000 and the convent $5,000. The furnishings and heating will be extra. Hot water is to be used for heating purposes.”

St. Mary's Convent



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Bishop McQuaid was in the city yesterday and blessed St. Mary’s new buildings. He called attention to the excellence of Catholic schools and commended the facilities now provided for the parish. The bishop preached the sermon at 10:30 o’clock mass. The decorations were beautiful and were arranged by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The blessing of the convent and school occurred at 3:30 o’clock before an immense congregation. The bishop, attended by the City priests visited each building and conducted dedicatory services. He then delivered an able and scholarly sermon in the church. Among other things he said in order to properly educate a child the most careful attention must be paid to the instructors who are placed in charge of the schools, both as to their educational and religious training.

The school buildings and apparatus must be as modern and improved as can be found. The rooms must be well heated and ventilated. The furnishings and decorations, if any, should be of such a nature that they would cause the child to think. Useless articles, the bishop said, had no place in the school room. He highly complimented the parish of St. Mary’s upon their new structures and expressed the opinion after he had carefully examined them that none better could be found in the diocese.

The benediction of the Blessed sacrament concluded the ceremonies. The music was excellent.

An entertainment held on Sept. 12, 1898 was noted on Sept. 13 in the Gazette.

Some of the young people of St. Mary’s Church gave an entertainment last evening and delighted a large audience at St. Mary’s Hall on Franklin Street. The “Irish Patriot” was the play presented and members of the cast were: Mrs. George Brickwedde, Thomas Reynolds, Neil Maloney, Gilbert Devine, Frederick Berry, George Bamberry, Miss Isabelle Ross and Rose Perry.

The members acquitted themselves admirably and owing to the great success of last evening’s performance it has been decided to repeat it again tonight. Little Dorothy and Connie Berry were loudly applauded for their clever singing specialities [sic] between the acts.

To help defray the expenses of the new building a Fair was held in the Fall of 1898. This is reported in the Gazette under the dates of Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 3:

The fair of St. Mary’s Church will open in the entertainment hall of St. Mary’s parochial school tonight and will continue for ten days. The proceeds are to be used towards diminishing the debt caused by the erection of the parochial school and convent. There will be entertainment each evening and on Sunday evening next a sacred concert will be given. (Gazette, Oct. 31, 1898)

The first day of the St. Mary’s Church Fair opened last evening at the new parochial school under a blaze of glory and the most favorable promises of being a success. The young ladies were on hand looking more charming than ever and bidding everyone a hearty welcome. The donations have been very generous. Father O’Dwyer presided over the entrance door and punched the tickets as easily as the oldest conductor on the Erie would do. The flags which are draped about the pillars of the hall were artistically arranged by Messrs. Walz and Brown of Architect Considine’s office.

As one enters the hall, the first booth that attracts attention is the one decorated with blue and white bunting and silver tinsel in outline. This is the booth of the children of St. Mary’s. Miss Julia Spillane is the head of the booth. The aids are: Misses Nora Deneen, Kate Connelly, Sarah Canan, Hannah Dempsey, Mrs. Cavin, Miss Julia Lordon, Mary Cavin, Bessie Deneen, Kittie Collins, the Misses Murtaugh, Alice O’Connor, Lena Moghenham, Nora Connelly, Maggie Spillane, Maggie Bresenham, Joe Carroll, Julia Murphy, Katie Liddy, Nellie Galvin, Kate Sullivan and Anna Collins.

The beautiful L.C.B.A. booth next attracts the eye. Miss Nellie Buckley has charge of this booth and with her are Mrs. Harry Grady, Mrs. Julia Kingston, Mrs. Ellen Lorden, Mrs. Mary Wickham, Mrs. B. Lynch, Mrs. Anna Spillane, Mrs. Katherine Watts, Mrs. Johanna Cavin, Mrs. McInerney, Katie Leary. There is an ice cream parlor at one side.

The chair booth is prettily decorated with pink, green and blue bunting. Miss Rose Brady, organist of the church, is the head, and aiding her are Mrs. Boylen, and Misses Mary Liddy, Julia Galvin, Mary Galvin, Maggie O’Day, Jennie Costello, Mary Cannelly, Delia Holleran, Mary Carroll, Nellie Ready, Nellie Gilbert, Mary Collin, Katherine Burns, Anna Holleran, Nellie Gahen.

The dining room is most inviting. The caterer is E. Murphy. The president is Mrs. J.B. Connelly and her aides are: Mrs. O’Shay, Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Crotty, Misses Maggie Newcomb, Sadie Lennan, Tessie Daniels, Alice Ownes. The evening branch No. 136 of the L.C.B.A. will attend the supper; Wednesday evening The Father Mathew Society, Thursday, Branch 112 L.C.B.A.; Friday, all the societies of St. Mary’s Parish.

There will be an entertainment at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon for all public school children.


"Flags of Nations: -- 1898
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The drill called “The Flags of Nations: which is prettily executed by a number of young girls is worth seeing. France was represented by Frances Delaney, Honor Catchpole, Bessie Stapleton, Alice Hart. Germany’s representatives were Anna Burns, Libbie Burns, Hattie Fitzgerald, Marguerite Richardson. Anna Nichols, Margaret Gradwell, Gertie O’Brien, Louise Hanrahan were from Switzerland. Holland was illustrated by Mary Donovan, Nellie Sullivan, Genevieve Ready, Ella Bayer. Scotland was represented by Nellie Gray, Alice Galvin, Lena Galvin and Olive Trainor. Teresa Ready, Mary Collins, Josephine McInerney, Agnes Cavin were from Italy. Ireland was represented by Ella DeLaney, Katie Galvin, Anna Cherry and Loretta O’Leary. The Goddess of Liberty was Miss Jennie Cusick. Her dress being made from the American flag.

The fair will continue until November 9th and interesting programs have been prepared for the various evenings during which the fair will be in progress. (Gazette, Nov. 1, 1898)

The St. Mary’s Church Fair last evening was the usual great success. The young ladies were ever present and won the dollars and dimes of the patrons. A number of the members of the Father Mathew Society attended supper.

The Delsarte Drill was greatly enjoyed. It was given by Misses Julia Murtaugh, Sarah Cannan, Harriet Keavin, Frances Lennon, Teresa Ready, Katie Hayes, Jennie Cusick, Nellie Considine, Margaret Hanrahan, Louise McInerney, Elizabeth Gradwell, Alice Risker, E. McInerney, F. Delaney. They sang well, in chorus, the song “Old Friend”. (Gazette, Nov. 3, 1898)

The unprecendted [sic] success of this Fair is noted in the Gazette of Nov. 8 which notes that it will be carried on for several more days.

The St. Mary’s Fair, which is being held in St. Mary’s Church, is a bigger success than even its promoters had anticipated. It is a great place to spend a pleasant evening. It was the general idea to end the Fair tonight, but on account of the great success it will be continued during the remainder of the week and will end on Saturday night. At that time the contests for the School of Commerce and Warner’s Business College scholarships will end. All the remainder of the week will be full of excitement and interest attending the result of the contest and donations.

The second day of the fair opened last evening with a large attendance. Pretty maidens, handsomely crowned, were present in large numbers and the gay booths came in for their share of attention. A very pretty minuet was danced on the stage by the children. The Red Men attended the supper in a body.

Miss B. McMahon wishes to thank the following who so kindly donated to her for the benefit of the fair: Mrs. A, Samuels, valuable imported cover for sofa pillows; Mr. Hubbell, oak table; Mosher & DeWaters, carriage robe; Mrs. J. Walker, handpainted china plate; Mr. Heller, coffee pot; Miss Anna Campbell, Moquet rug; Miss Mary McMahon, vases; Mrs. T. Fitzgerald, child’s hat; Mr. Van Nort, candy; H.N. Hoffman, flowers; Mr. LaCharme, flowers; cash from F.X. Disney, D.N. Heller, Seymour Copeland and Mrs. D. Donohue.

Mrs. T.J. McInerny of branch No. 112 L.C.B.A. wishes to thank branches 136 and 112 L.C.B.A. and branch 150 C.M.B.A., for their liberal donations to her for the benefit of St. Mary’s fair.

That this Fair was a tremendous success is born out by the reports in the papers of November 15 and 21 of the same year as follows:

The St. Mary’s Church Fair closed last night. The donated articles with the exception of the Stearns bicycle and the bedroom suite were raffled off last night. The latter will be disposed of by chances previous to the dance tomorrow evening. The scholarship for Warners Business College was won by Dennis Sullivan, who had 1,175 votes and the school of commerce scholarship went to Thomas Casey who had 590 votes. The fair was a great success financially and socially. (Nov. 15, 1898)

According to the report read by Father O’Dwyer yesterday, the Fair of St. Mary’s Church proved to be an immense financial success. Only $311 were taken in in admissions at the door, showing a paid attendance of 3110. However, the total receipts, which were also the net receipts, for there were no expenses, were $2,836.23. Great credit is due to the ladies having the Fair in charge.

The summary of the proceeds are as follows:

L.C.B.A. table, president, Mrs. Nellie Buckley…… $ 565.23
Refreshment table, president, Mrs. John B. Connelly…413.00
Children of Mary table, president, Miss Julia Spillane… 410.00
Proceeds from bicycle sale………………………… 397.00
Amount received from Sisters of St. Joseph and children……. 319.00
Door receipts……………………………………………..311.00
Proceeds from scholarship certificates………… 175.00
Choir table, president, Miss Rose Brady……… 171.00
Personal donation………………………………………75.00
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Total……………………………………………$2,836.23

Donations were received as follows:

L.C.B.A. Branch 199……………………….$ 15.00
L.C.B.A. Branch 136………………………… 15.00
L.C.B.A. Branch 112………………………. 15.00
C.M.B.A., Branch of St. Patrick’s Parish, No. 150 … 10.00

On Thursday night the young ladies in charge of the Fair will give a hop. (Nov. 21, 1898)

The Gazette notes Christmas, 1898 as follows in its issue of Dec. 27, 1898:

The Midnight Mass service held Christmas Eve in all five of the Roman Catholic churches were largely attended. The Christmas donations to the priests of St. Mary’s were from $1,000 to $1,200 each.

Even in 1899 the people of St. Mary’s like to eat as were read in the Elmira Daily advertiser, February 14, 1899:

The young ladies of the choir at St. Mary’s Church entertained a large number of their friends at a dancing party last evening at St. Mary’s hall. Draperies of red, white and blue bunting formed the artistic decorations. Charles O’Brien furnished the dancing music. A delicious supper was served during the evening.

St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated in a most appropriate manner last as follows:

St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated in a most appropriate manner last evening by members of St. Mary’s parochial school. The occasion being one of the most auspicious events in the history of the school. The principal feature of the evening’s program was a lecture entitled “The Irish-American” by John Murtaugh of Cornell University.

The spacious auditorium was beautifully decorated with flags of different proportions in honor of the occasion, and long before Mr. Murtaugh’s appearance every seat in the room was occupied, while a great number were compelled to remain standing in the rear of the room.

Mr. Murtaugh’s appearance was greeted with long and hearty applause, which had hardly subsided when Father O’Dwyer arose and eulogized the speaker in his usual clever manner.

Following Mr. Murtaugh’s highly interesting and instructive lecture a comedy in five acts entitled “The Deacon” was enacted by the Alumni of the school. The members of the cast who have been under the skillful training of the Sisters of St. Mary’s, conducted their different parts in a highly professional manner, gaining numerous words of praise for their excellent work.

The evening’s entertainment was a grand success even to the most trifling detail and reflected much credit on the Sisters of St. Mary’s, who but repeated by their efforts the success attained at the opening exercises of the school held last summer. Members of the case: Thomas Hart, Edward O’Shea, Francis O’Shea, James Powers, Simon Fennell, Frank Finley, Daniel Finley, Ella Burns, Louise McInerney, Sara Cannon, M. Francis Lennon, Bessie Nolan and Helen Grey. (Advertiser, Mar. 18, 1899)