Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich was joined by Greece Town Board Members Dave DiPonzio, Mike Bloomer, Bill Murphy, and Diana Christodaro for a proclamation ceremony during the October 24, 2024 meeting of the Greece Town Board. A proclamation was presented to Saint Charles Borromeo Church honoring their 100-year anniversary.
In attendance were Deacon Dan Callan, Mike Moriarty, Ryan Mulcahy, Gina Reeder, and Al Fisher of Saint Charles Borromeo Church. The church has been a cornerstone of the town for nearly 100 years. In 1925, when Dewey Avenue was still sparsely populated, it became clear that a large residential area would soon develop around Kodak Park. To meet the needs of this growing population, Bishop Thomas P. Hickey established Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, and Reverand John M. Selinger was appointed as its first pastor. The very first mass was celebrated on November 2, 1925. Today, the parish continues to thrive under the leadership of Reverand John Firpo, with three deacons and two full-time priests serving the congregation.
Saint Charles Borromeo has also made significant contributions to Catholic education. Since its school first opened in 1926, the parish has taught core values such as respect, responsibility, and kindness. The school was damaged by fire in 1938 but was rebuilt and expanded over the years. At its peak, the school enrolled 850 students during the 1983-84 school year. The school eventually closed in 2008 after combining with Saint John’s. In addition to its spiritual and educational efforts, Saint Charles Borromeo is deeply involved in serving the broader community. The parish is engaged in a variety of social ministries, including food collections, clothing drives, Christmas giving trees, and support for Catholic relief services. These efforts extend beyond the parish and provide invaluable help to those in need throughout Greece.
“As Saint Charles Borromeo approaches its 100-year anniversary, I would like to thank the parish for its century of dedication and service to our town. It is through the efforts of churches like Saint Charles Borromeo that we continue to build a stronger, more compassionate community,” said Supervisor Bill Reilich.
Provided information and photo
