Parish History

Chronological History

1834

Rye's Catholics attend Mass at Port Chester

1854

Our Lady of Mercy established as a Port Chester Parish. Rye & Harrison included.

1875

Movement by Rye members for a Rye Church

1880

Parish of the Resurrection Rye, Harrison established by Cardinal McCloskey. Rev. John McEvoy appointed pastor, remained Chaplain of and resided at St. Vincent's Retreat, Harrison. 1880 June 6 - First Mass offered by Father McEvoy at Morrison's Hall (and Hotel) rented through Oct. 1882.

1881

Purchased William Smith house and property at junction of Boston Post Road and Purchase Street from Mary A. Berry. 1882 July through October - first floor of Smith house renovated for a Church - One large hall with pillars to support second floor.

1883

Death of Father McEvoy; Rev. Michael Lane, new pastor and St. Vincent's Chaplain First floor of Church enlarged at rear; organ installed Academy of the Resurrection - elementary grades on second floor above Church; teachers - Sisters of Charity

1884

May 1 - Fr. Lane rented park property on Boston Post Road

1886

Church of the Resurrection incorporated under NYS laws - Property bought on Purchase Street for new Church and on Boston Post Road used later for school School closed - financial reasons regarding new church

1887

Foundation for church begun on Purchase St. in December

1888

Fr. Lane died; Rev. James F. Mee, new pastor completed church

1889

New church dedicated in October

1890

Former church renovated for a rectory.  Rev. James T. Barry replaced Father Mee (transferred to Staten Island)

1905

Rev. William Hayes assisted ailing Fr. Barry; succeeded as pastor. Resurrection Parochial School opened its classrooms in rented space at Rye Grammar School; Sisters of Charity again reside at St. Vincent's Retreat.

1906

Cornerstone laid for new school building on Boston Post Road

1907

School opened; dedicated September 29.

1909

Rev. William F. Meehan is pastor

1917

Rev. William J. Donavan, pastor until death - Feb. 1, 1921

1921

Assistant Rev. James Power - temporary pastor

1921

Rev. James E. Goggin, new pastor

1923

First convent for Sisters of Charity on Boston Post Road

1924

Church moved from Purchase Street to Smith Street. Rectory moved next to school on Boston Post Road. Beautiful new larger Church planned for Boston Post Road and Purchase St. site.

1926

Kirklawn Inn (Boston Post Road through Milton Road) purchased for new Parish plant

1927

Ground broken for new plant - rectory, convent, the school built.

1928

Resurrection School - grades 1-8 opened in September

1930

Cornerstone of new Church and dedication of school, May 18th - 50 years as parish

1931

First Mass Easter Sunday, April 5; dedication May 31

1939

Rev. John D. McGowan - administrator; named pastor in 1941 at death of Fr. Goggin

1950

Academy of the Resurrection dedicated September 10th; classes for 30 students on Sept. 11 in Whittemore Building and Resurrection School

1955

Diamond Jubilee of Resurrection Parish. Debt liquidated in full. Statues on main altar painted as per original plans.

1957

Ground broken, cornerstone laid for new Academy of the Resurrection on Boston Post Road

1959

Classes 9-12 began in February. Dedication May 17.

1964

Mass offered on portable altar in front of main altar with priest facing people, per Vatican II Council 1969. Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. McGowan, PA. retired. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas V. McMahon succeeded.

1980

Centennial Celebration of Resurrection Parish - year long events culminating with Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving October 26 offered by Terence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York.

1984

Msgr. McMahon retired. - Msgr. Donald J. Pryor succeeded.

1986

Temporary portable altars removed and marble altars brought forward on main sanctuary and Lady Chapel with appropriate renovations as needed. Main altar rail removed per Vatican II.

1987

Stone convent renovated for Parish Center.

1990

Msgr. Pryor took sabbatical - Bishop Anthony F. Mestice named pastor and Vicar for Central Westchester. Archdiocese Center for Spiritual Development came to 96 Milton Road.

1991

Academy of the Resurrection closed

1992

Cathedral Preparatory Seminary moved to Academy bldg. - Stone Convent/Parish Center made residence for PREP students and staff.

1994

Hogben house renovated for Parish Center.

1999

Cathedral Prep moved to Stepinac HS White Plains. Academy Bldg. used by Resurrection School.

2002

July 1 Bishop Mestice, pastor emeritus; Msgr. Patrick J. Boyle new pastor and vicar of Central Westchester.

The Lady Chapel:

Described as the "gem of the Church", The Lady Chapel is situated at the northeast corner of the church building and seats sixty-four. Doors on the north and east provide easy access to the chapel without going through the main Church.

The chapel, including the altar, was the gift of Mr. & Mrs. Basil Harris, Sr.

The altar is of Botticino marble that was quarried in Pietresanta, Italy, and purchased from the E. Hackner Co. of Lacrosse, Wisconsin. A mosaic frieze, in varying tones of gold, decorates and extends horizontally across the front of the altar. The frieze contains the Latin inscription “Ave Maria, Gratia Plena” (“Hail Mary, Full of Grace”). Centered on the front is a carved “M” for Mary.

A single marble gradine or shelf holds candles and flowers on each side of the centered, unveiled tabernacle on whose bronze door shines a rayed cross in glory surrounded by a frieze of the grapevine and wheat sheaves symbolic of the Holy Eucharist.

In September 1986, the altar was moved forward to allow the priest to offer the Liturgy or Mass facing the people as mandated by the Vatican Council II. The portable altar in use since 1973 was removed.

Plains white oak is used in the furnishings which include the pews, altar railing, candlesticks and the reredos that frames the triptych, This reredos, as well as those over the main altar and over St. Joseph's Altar, was carved by the most talented wood sculptor from Oberammergau, Isaac Kirchmayer. The doors of the triptych can be closed during Holy Week.

In the triptych above the altar, the central panel is an icon painting “Our Lady of Perpetual Help.” Copied from the icon in the Church of San Alfonso in Rome, it was created by Ilario Panzironi, liturgical artist of New York City.

Our Lady is mantled and crowned befitting royalty and in her arms she cradles her Divine Son. His attention is focused on the Archangel Gabriel. The sight of the cross in St. Gabriel's hands “prophetic of his Crucifixion, so frightened the child that his slipper loosened.” On the other side, Archangel Michael brings other instruments of Our Lord's Passion.

The companion paintings by Panzironi on opposite panels of the triptych depict angel children turned in adoration towards our Lady and the Child Jesus. These are representations of deceased infants of Mr. & Mrs. Harris. The hats they are wearing signify not angels but innocent children. They were painted in the Flemish manner. The pastel colors highlight the central panel of Our Blessed Lady, according to Robert Robbins, the dedicated and talented artist who polychrommed and decorated the chapel reredos, the one on the main altar and  that on St. Joseph's altar in 1955.