First Catholics in Truxton

After Truxton became a town in 1808, residents began to build their churches.

by Donald McCall

Cortland Standard

Cortland, NY

Tuesday, July 6, 2004

TRUXTON - Truxton was first settled in 1793 and became a town in 1808. The first churches built in Truxton were in 1818 and 1821, the Baptist and the Presbyterian churches. The earliest settlers were hardy New England Protestants. However, the first trickle of Catholics would come into the area in the 1840s. These were displaced Irish escaping political persecution and the Great Hunger that swept over Ireland.

The earliest Irish settlers were the Patrick McDonald family. Other Irish families would soon follow: Cooney, Buckley, Casey, Wallace, McDevitt and Nix. Later the Hartnetts, McCalls, O'Conners, Dwyers and O'Donnells. The first Mass in Truxton was offered by the Rev. Michael Haes, of St. Mary's in Syracuse, in Patrick McDonald's log cabin home on West Hill. Masses would continue to be said by traveling priests from Syracuse, but it was apparent that a permanent structure was needed.

The parcel of land in which St. Patrick's Church of Truxton is located was conveyed by deed dated May 19, 1854, from John Miller of Truxton to the Right Rev. John McClosky, Roman Catholic Bishop of Albany. John McDevitt and Patrick McDonald purchased the land for the sum of $200. The church was a wooden structure with small dimensions. Little is known about this church except that it burned in 1878. The present St. Patrick's Church was built in 1880, which makes it the oldest Catholic Church in Cortland County. Built through the zealous and untiring efforts of Father Bartholomew F. McLaughlin. It was attended by him until his death in 1888. The new pastor, the Rev. Michael Joyce became the first resident pastor with St. Bridget's of Solon as an out-mission. During Father Joyce's administration, the first rectory was purchased, the former armory, the Frank Maher home today.

St. Patrick's Church has grown and prospered under its pastoral leaders. The Rev. William Shanahan purchased a new rectory, the Carl Muller home, presently the Aaron Congdon home, in 1949 for approximately $7500. The Rev. Carl Pilla purchased the present rectory in August 1978 for $27,500. As an active and growing parish, St. Patrick's needed a church hall for various activities. They purchased the Miller Grange and refurbished it into an excellent facility and saving this 1820 landmark. In 1952 St. Lawrence's Church in DeRuyter was dedicated and continues as a mission church of St. Patrick's. A new church was dedicated in 1998 and continues to be a vibrant and growing parish. The Rev. Daniel Muscalino and Deacon Lawrence Brickner serve both parishes with diligence and dedication.

Over the years St. Patrick's has given several young men to the priesthood. David Hartnett, Daniel Hartnett, Vincent O'Conner, Lawrence Sheehan, William Hennessy, Patrick Hennessy, William Dwyer and William Roach. Nuns from St. Patrick's have been Mary Dwyer, Nora Sheedy, Catherine Helen Sheehan and Sister June Bernadette Comerford.

The predominant nationality of Truxton was and is Irish, and most of them are descendants of the original Irish settlers. However, with the millennium the parish of St. Patrick's is now more diversified. We are blessed with persons of different origins: Germans, French, Mexican, Italian and African-Americans. As we await the headlong cavalcade of the 21st century, we are truly an "American" parish.

McGrath Genealogy	Upperchurch Connections	What's New?	Contact