St. Joseph Parish, Gowanda, New York

St. Joseph Parish, Gowanda, New York, is a Roman Catholic parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, located in the rural Western New York Village of Gowanda, in the county of Erie. The Parish was named for Saint Joseph. The physical address of St. Joseph Church and Rectory is 26 Erie Avenue, however the Church is located at the corner of Erie Avenue and East Main Street. The Church was built in 1957, with Auxiliary Bishop Leo R. Smith Laying the cornerstone in 1958. The beginnings of St. Joseph Parish, however, started in 1855, with the original church being built from 1887 to 1889 at a slightly more western location on Erie Avenue. Holy Cross Cemetery, which is part of the Parish, was deeded in 1884. St. Joseph School, located at 71 East Main Street, is also associated with the Parish and was opened in 1925. Today, St. Joseph Parish is led by Rev. Joseph D. Porpiglia; and serves the residents of Gowanda, Persia, Dayton, Perrysburg, Collins, and other surrounding areas.

Background and history

Mission of St. Paul of the Cross Parish

In 1855, there were four Roman Catholic families living in the Village of Gowanda. At that time, Rev. Pamphilius, a Franciscan friar, celebrated religious services with the families, having traveled there from Ellicottville. Rev. Pamphilius performed religious services at the home of Daniel Hurdley.

In 1861, St. Paul of the Cross Parish of Dayton was established by the Passionist Fathers from Dunkirk. By 1867, services were being held in Peter Rink's Hall on Buffalo Street in Gowanda. Peter Rink's Hall was located above his store in the Village of Gowanda. Approximately sometime in the 1870s, Rev. J.H. Leddy began performing religious services at Rink's Hall. In the latter part of the 1880s, religious services were moved to the home of William Kennedy.

Holy Cross Cemetery creation

In 1884, Rink donated $200 to the Church for purposes of purchasing one acre of land to establish a Catholic cemetery. Another reference reports that Rink donated the actual land for the cemetery. On October 10, 1884, such land on a hill near the Church and just east of the village, was deeded. It was named Holy Cross Cemetery, and is located on Cemetery Hill Road in Gowanda, adjacent to Pine Hill Cemetery, which is a Protestant cemetery.

St. Joseph Church construction

For the construction of the new church on the west side of Erie Avenue, a building committee was formed. The Building Committee included Peter Rink; Joseph Nabor, Jr.; William Kennedy; William Smith; Cornelius Collins; Peter Freeman; and Henry Salzler. Construction of the Church occurred from 1887 to 1889. Rink provided monetary assistance in the building of the Church.

Since the completion of construction on the early church, priests recorded to have served there in the 1880s and 1890s were Rev. O. Hogenforst; Rev. J. Wilber; Rev. John Nash; Rev. Adolph; Rev. Daly; Rev. Thomas Harrack; and Rev. John Tracey.

Church founding in 1898

St. Joseph Church was founded in 1898. At the time of its founding, it was still considered a mission of St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Dayton. St. Paul's also served Roman Catholics in both Perrysburg and Cattaraugus at that time.

In 1898, Rev. John Tracey, the pastor of St. Paul's, transferred his residence from Dayton to Gowanda, making St. Joseph Church the center of the parish. Services at St. Joseph Church were then held each Sunday and on holy days. The reason that Tracy transferred to Gowanda was due to the large influx of immigrants to the area for industrial work. European immigrants of Slovenian, Polish, and German descent moved to the area, providing a workforce for the newly built factories in the area. The increase in population of the area necessitated Tracy's move so that religious services could be centralized in Gowanda.

Rev. P.J. Enright was assigned to St. Joseph Parish and Church in 1900. Materially and spiritually, he built up the Church. Enright enlarged the Church, and "was instrumental in having the wooden tower and bell from" St. Paul's in Dayton placed in St. Joseph Church. The bell has been maintained by the Parish, and is now in the school building. The year 1920 saw Rev. J.E. Rochford become pastor of the Church.

Opening of St. Joseph School in 1925

On September 8, 1925, the school that is associated with the church and parish, St. Joseph School, opened. A High Mass was celebrated to mark the opening of the School.

The Franciscan Sisters of Stella Niagara provided services to the Parish, Church, and School, beginning in 1925. They lived at a Catholic convent on Erie Avenue. Sisters Fidelis and Elma (also identified as Sister Alma) taught 54 students in the School at its opening.

In 1928, an auditorium was opened in the School. By that time, there were eight grades of students in the School, all of which were led and/or taught by five resident Sisters of the Order of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity of Stella Niagara, New York. Later, a cafeteria and library were created for the School.

Continued parish growth

The 1930s witnessed continued growth of the Parish. New organizations for religious involvement by women were established, including the Holy Name Society and the Daughters of St. Joseph. At this time, Rev. Henry Shaw was pastor, being followed by Rev. Patrick Tobin. Because the size of the Parish outgrew the Church, services were moved to the auditorium in the School, with the first Mass being celebrated there on December 17, 1940 by Monsignor John J. Nash.

In the 1940s, the Parish, Church, and School continued to grow. The Mother's Club was formed through the Church during this time; and the School provided an education to more than 100 students. Students at the School were taught by seven Sisters in the 1940s. Rev. John Hennessy was pastor during this time.

Another women's group within the Church was formed in 1951, the Altar and Rosary Society. Rev. Denis Donovan was pastor of the Parish at this time. By 1954, Rev. Guinessey was pastor, marking a milestone of sending some graduates of St. Joseph School to the former Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk. Rev. George Freeman was pastor in 1955, and announced plans for building a new church in 1956.

Construction of new church in 1957

On June 23, 1957, ground was broken for the construction of the new, larger St. Joseph Church. The cost of the new church was $250,000. During the groundbreaking, several religious officiated, including Most Rev. Msgr. Alfred Hagemaier, the Dean of Southern Erie County; Rev. Freeman; Rev. Gene Kaczmarkek; and other local priests. The cornerstone was laid by Auxiliary Bishop Leo R. Smith on June 12, 1958; and the first Mass was celebrated on December 24, 1958. The structure was remodeled in the early 1980s, and later served as home to the Gowanda Grange.

Continued development

In the 1960s, the Mother's Club was renamed the Home-School Association; and lay teachers began educating in the School. BElls and carillons were donated for use in the Church by the George Massar Family. Rev. Theodore Rog became an assistant priest to Rev. Freeman; and Freeman celebrated his 40th anniversary to the priesthood in 1969.

The parish in modern times

Freeman died in 1975, and Rev. Paul J. Whitney became pastor. He guided the formation of the Parish Council and St. Joseph School Board. Tuition began to be charged by the School to help defray costs of the parish subsidy. Whitney also guided extensive reconstruction of the Church during that time. Rev. John Kwiecien came to the Parish during this time; and the Folk Group regularly provided music and song during Masses in the Church.

Rev. Lawrence Milby became pastor in 1982, serving the Parish for nearly 20 years. A 19-rank pipe organ was purchased from the former Richmond Avenue United Church of Christ in Buffalo, and placed in the Church in 1990. The organ was built by Clarence Morey, an organ-builder from Utica, in 1905. Volunteers dismantled the organ for travel to the Church, where it was rebuilt and restored by Kurt Ruhland of Ruhland Organ Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1988, there were 127 students enrolled in St. Joseph School. Students from the Parish, as well as those from neighboring parishes attended the School. At that time, the Parish's religious education program provided Roman Catholic religious instruction to 125 students. A Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) was also ACTIVE in the Parish. Nearly 800 registered families were members of the Parish. Deacon Louis Pais served the Parish for many years.

Parish support by the Gernatt Family

In 1992, the late Daniel R. Gernatt, Sr. and the late Flavia C. (Schmitz) Gernatt donated the construction of a new rectory to the Parish. Construction of the new rectory was completed within one year. The new rectory was built because the former building was deteriorating and in disrepair.

In 1996, Gernatt, Sr. also established the Gernatt Family Endowment Fund for St. Joseph School. The purposes of the Fund are to provide financial assistance, specifically, for students to obtain a Catholic education at the School when they would, otherwise, be unable to without such monies. Gernatt, Sr. attended St. Joseph School from 1926 to 1931, traveling there by horse and buggy. The School has received further financial assistance through the Daniel and Flavia Gernatt Family Foundation. Gernatt, Sr. and his late wife, Flavia, are both the founders of the Gernatt Family of Companies, a group of 11 mining companies that is headquartered in Collins, New York; and Dan Gernatt Farms, The Primary business location of which is also in Collins, and which held Sir Taurus as stud and was Gallo Blue Chip's breeder.

The Gernatts and members of their extended family have served in many capacities in the Church and Buffalo Diocese. The late Msgr. David A. Gernatt occasionally celebrated Masses at the Church. Both Gernatt, Sr. and his late wife, Flavia, have been involved in the Parish and diocese in many capacities, including as Parish Trustee and in other positions. Daniel R. Gernatt, Jr. has served as Santa Claus for the Parish for more than four decades. Members of the Gernatt extended family have served on and/or have been leaders of the Mother's Club, Parish Council, Home-School Association, Parent Association, St. Joseph School Board, Altar and Rosary Society, and other groups. The Knights of Columbus group at the Church is named in memory of Msgr. David A. Gernatt.

Phyllis Ulmer, a daughter of Gernatt, Sr., is St. Joseph School Board President. Barbara (Rebmann) Galloway, a granddaughter of Gernatt, Sr., and former St. Joseph School Parent Association president, is advancement director at the school. Both women are also graduates of St. Joseph School. The Gernatt and Rebmann families have additionally established scholarships in the names of their families, that are annually awarded to graduates of St. Joseph School. The Gernatts, their family, and their extended family have been significant benefactors of the Parish, Church, School, Rectory, and Buffalo Diocese.

Parish anniversaries

The Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1998 with a Mass performed by Most Rev. Henry J. Mansell, Bishop of Buffalo; and Milby. In 1999, the Parish ceased to be a residence for the Sisters of St. Francis due to their declining population and the need for their services in other areas of the diocese.

In 2001, the school celebrated its 75th anniversary. An open house, Mass, and dinner marked the event. Specially remembered at the anniversary was Sister Elma, who had helped to open the school in 1925, and who had celebrated her 80th anniversary as a religious sister.

Recent parish history

Rev. Daniel Walsh became pastor in 2002. He began the Parish's Youth Group.

In 2011, Walsh celebrated a memorial Mass for New York State Trooper Gary Kubasiak, who was shot and killed while answering a call for back up, and while off duty, in 1982. County Route 58, also known as Peck Hill Road, between Dayton and Perrsyburg was named in Kubasiak's honor in 2011, and Walsh gave the invocation at the ceremony. Kubasiak was 33 when he was killed. James Swan, the man who shot him, was mentally ill; he was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison. Kubasiak has two adult sons who became New York State Troopers in 1998. The New York State Trooper barracks in Collins has also been dedicated to Kubasiak's memory.

Rev. Joseph D. Porpiglia became pastor in 2012. Immediately prior to coming to the Parish, he was pastor at St. Benedict Parish in Amherst, New York. Porpiglia maintains his own blog on the Church website that informs parishioners AbOUT religious events and experiences. Deacon Fred Johnson serves at the Parish which has 300 registered families as members. Deacon Thomas A. McDonnell also served the Parish.

The Parish offers daily Masses, as well as Masses on weekends and holy days. Stations of the Cross May Be observed during Lent at the Church. Confessions are also heard each week by the priest. In addition to religious education and confirmation classes, classes for baptism and Catholic inquiry may also be offered. The parish priest regularly performs marriages, baptisms, confessions, calls to those who are ill, and funerals.

St. Joseph School details

Enrollment and composition

As of January 2014, there are 54 students who attend St. Joseph School in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Other sources state that there are 70-90 students at the School.

There are 8-10 full-time and six part-time teachers at the School, which is composed of 95%-96% Caucasian and 4%-5% American Indian students.

Mission, curriculum, and activities

The school maintains a statement of mission that is in the Roman Catholic tradition. The core curriculum of the School includes Roman Catholic religion, science, social studies, English language arts, and mathematics, with first year algebra being taught in 8th grade. Art, music, Spanish, and physical education are also taught at the School, with computer instruction being integrated into general subject areas. As of 2014, the school is piloting a computer-based math program, "Reasoning Mind," and is one of three elementary schools in the diocese to do so.

Students can participate in MusicAL groups including choir and band; this program is in conjunction with the State University of New York at Fredonia. The School also offers opportunities for student participation in sports, including track and field; basketball; baseball; and softball and volleyball for girls.

Transportation, financial considerations, and networking

Students are bussed to the School from more than 12 towns and/or villages, including Gowanda, Persia, Collins, Perrysburg, North Collins, Eden, Springville, Forestville, Cattaraugus, Little Valley, Pine Valley, and Silver Creek. The Persia, Collins, and Perrysburg students are included in the Gowanda bus routes. The School offers a sliding tuition rate scale for both Catholic and non-Catholic families that have more than one child who attends the school. Annually, many scholarships are awarded by the School to eighth grade graduates. The School also stays connected with alumni through a newsletter, dinners, and fundraising events; and it began awarding the Fidelis Service Award in 2009.

Administration

Patrick Brady is the principal of the School, and Donna Cook is the assistant principal. Cook teaches 6th grade at the School, and has the most years of teaching experience - at 36 years - of anyone in its employ; she also doubles, when needed, as assistant principal.

Challenges

During the academic year, 2006-2007, that Brady became principal at the School, a faculty/staff turnover rate of 40% was observed there. The School also experiences other challenges in maintaining experienced and qualified employees. As of 2007, the starting salary for qualified, experienced educators at the School was $14,000, annually. Prior to 2004, teachers were also required by the New York State Department Of Education to hold permanent teaching certification after five years of teaching, and a master's degree in education within five years of graduation with a bachelor's degree or initially being certified. As of 2007, educator licensure requirements changed, however there are educators at the school who may not have met those requirements. In 2014, three teachers and one administrator held permanent certification at the School. A salary that is poverty level for a family of two, based on 2007 federal poverty guidelines; as well as a lack of support at the School for teachers seeking permanent teaching licensure, therefore, are additional reasons why educators leave its employ.

Anticipated 2014 school closure

On September 25, 2013, Brady informed parents of St. Joseph School students that the Diocese of Buffalo was conducting a program to investigate the viability of schools. At the close of the 2013-2014 academic year, St. Joseph School is slated to close. Brady expressed his disappointment about the closure, and informed parents of the upcoming closure by e-mail and letter. Rev. Porpiglia also informed school parents of the upcoming school closure. Prior to Porpiglia having an opportunity to inform parents by personal letter about the closure, Brady included statements made by Porpiglia in his own communications to parents. There are those who would consider Brady's actions in that instance to be unprofessional.

When asked about the low enrollment of the School by Willis, Brady stated that the area has experienced a declining population and has been negatively affected by the economy. Critics of the School maintain that some members of the leadership associated with the School are lacking in morals and values. Proponents of the School have stated that it is an excellent place to send one's child for an education.

At the time of closure, the School will have been opened for 90 years. Students are being encouraged to consider attending St. Aloysius Regional Catholic School in Springville, New York.

St. Joseph School Fidelis Service Award recipients

• Daniel R. Gernatt, Sr., in 2009
• Babs Reid, in 2010
• Maureen (McHale) Minnick, '74, in 2011
• Donna Cook, in 2012
• Angela (Ragona) Herrington, '56, in 2013

Mission priests to the parish and approximate dates of service

• Rev. Pamphilius, 1855-1870s
• Rev. J.H. Leddy, 1870s
• Rev. O. Hogenforst, 1880s
• Rev. J. Wilber, 1880s
• Rev. John Nash, 1880s
• Rev. Adolph, 1880s
• Rev. Daly, 1880s
• Rev. Thomas Harrack, 1880s-1890s

Parish priests and approximate dates of service

• Rev. John Tracey, 1898-1900
• Rev. P.J. Enright, 1900-1920
• Rev. J.E. Rochford, 1920-1930
• Rev. Henry Shaw, 1930s
• Rev. Patrick Tobin, 1930s
• Rev. John Hennessy, 1940s
• Rev. Denis Donovan, 1940s-1950s
• Rev. Guinessey, 1950s
• Rev. George Freeman, 1955-1975
• Rev. Theodore Rog, 1960s-1970s
• Rev. Paul J. Whitney, 1970s-1980s
• Rev. John Kwiecien, 1970s-1980s
• Rev. Lawrence Milby, 1982-2002
• Rev. Daniel Walsh, 2002-2012
• Rev. Joseph D. Porpiglia, 2012–Present

Female religious leadership of the Parish

• Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity of Stella Niagara, New York

Mother superiors and principals of St. Joseph School with dates of service

It should be noted that the Sisters were referenced as "Mother," being the teachers of the 7th and 8th grades, as well as being the leaders of the School.

• Mother Lucille Reiner, 1925-1930
• Mother Erica, 1930-1931
• Mother Elma, 1931-1933
• Mother Francesca, 1933-1937
• Mother Boniface, 1937-1939
• Mother Roseanne, 1939-1942
• Mother Beatrice Lippert, 1942-1947
• Mother Cleopha, 1947-1948
• Mother Anne Brennan, 1948-1951
• Mother Patricia (now Sister Dolores Garner), 1951-1955
• Mother Barbara (now Sister Barbara Holtzinger), 1955-1961
• Mother Maristella, 1961-1962
• Mother M. Peter (now Sister Mary Frances Welch), 1962-1964
• Mother M. Vincent (now Sister Doris Besch), 1964-1969
• Sister Paul Merkl, 1969-1976
• James T. Wojdan, 1976-1979
• Sister Mary DiLeone, 1979-1982
• Sister Diane Bernbeck, 1982-1989
• Allan Kinsley, 1989-1994
• Sister Frances Clare Perry, 1994-1998
• Daniel Grande, 1998-2000
• Vincent George, 2000-2006
• Patrick Brady, 2006–Present

Selected parish groups and organizations

• Altar and Rosary Society
• Altar Servers
• Bingo Committee
• Eucharistic Ministers
• Hospital and Home Visitors
• Lectors
• Liturgy Group
• Msgr. David A. Gernatt Council #15113 of the Knights of Columbus
• Music Ministry (Choir, Music Ensemble, and Organist)
• Parent Association (Formerly the Home-School Association)
• Parish Council
• Religious Education
• St. Joseph School Board
• St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Ushers
• Youth Group

See also

• Catholic Church
• Gowanda, New York
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo

External links

• St. Joseph Church official website
• St. Joseph School official website