Church of the Immaculate Conception 
Parish History

His excellence Bishop Thomas M. Burke, Bishop of the diocese of Albany, appointed Rev. John Ready to be the first pastor of the newly established Immaculate Conception Parish.

On May 1, 1904, Fr. Ready offered his first Mass in a loft above Hilderbrand's Livery Stable.  Fr. Ready's opening sermon compared the circumstances of the infant parish to the birth of Jesus in the stable of Bethlehem.  Under his direction, construction was begun on the church, a small frame structure located at the corner of Thompson St. and Broadway.

Oh July 4, 1905, Rev. James B. Hayden was appointed to serve as pastor of the parish.  Fr. Hayden was to serve the parish tirelessly until his death in 1945.  During those forty years, he was familiar figure on the streets and in the homes of his parishioners.  Fr. Hayden did not own a car, but he traveled by trolley and on foot throughout the Bellevue, Rotterdam Junction and Scotia areas.  He crossed the Mohawk River by rowboat in the summer and on foot in the winter.

During the flu epidemic in 1918, when health regulations forbade public gatherings inside of buildings.  Masses were said outdoors, weather permitting.  It is recorded with thanks to the Providence of God that "not a single death occurred in the parish as a result of that scourge."

The thrifty Fr. Hayden was able to amass a building fund with which he built the present Church of the Immaculate Conception in 1928.

Following Fr. Hayden's death in 1945, Fr. James J. McDonald was appointed by bishop Edmund f. Gibbons, to assume the pastoral duties at Immaculate Conception.  During the ten years of his pastorate, Fr. McDonald began a program of religious instruction for the children of the parish.  The program was staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of the Holy Name from neighboring parishes and by volunteers from the parish. 
The school on Bradt Street was opened in September of 1959, staffed by Sisters of Saint Joseph and several lay teachers.  The school grew each year until, in 1964 , the first class graduated from Eighth Grade with thirty-six students.  In the thirty-nine year history of the school, many changes have been made and many programs introduced to meet the needs of the society in which the children live.  Computer Education, Before and After School Care, Early childhood Education have been added to our education system.  Religious Education for the public school students is also a vital part of parish life.

Fr. McDonald was assisted by the Rev. Thomas L. Carr who later served as administrator.

In 1963, the Rev. Monsignor James O'Neil was appointed as pastor.  It was Monsignor O'Neil's short time of service to the parish the former Odd Fellow's Hall on the corner of Broadway and Thompson Street was purchased.  Well known to parishioners as the Bingo Hall, it was known as the Parish Center up until the year of 2003.  Monsignor O'Neil was succeeded by Fr. Francis Melfe in 1971.  Fr. Melfe was instrumental in the establishment of programs for the youth of the parish.  In 1970, the Senior Citizens Group was established.  Since 1970 Nocturnal Adoration Society members have met monthly to conduct services in our Church.  In 1972, The Third Order of St. Frances was established by Fr. Ralph De Pasquale, Associate Pastor, to provide spiritual and community service.

In 1979, Rev. Joseph P. Cotugno was named as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish.  He served in that capacity until the spring of 1989.  During the years of Fr. Cotugno's pastorate, the Parish Bazaar, the Annual Spaghetti Dinner and the Card Party were events which aided the financial workings of the parish and drew together many workers in a spirit of mutual care and concern for the continuation of the work of the church.

Fr. Brian M. Cronin was assigned by Bishop Howard Hubbard to take up the duties as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in 1989.  Fr. Cronin was instrumental in revitalizing the Altar Rosary Society and the Holy Name Society in the parish.  He also established a Christian Service Committee, Social Life Committee, a Parish Prayer Circle and a program of adult education with a focus on Bible Study.  New doors and windows were installed in the Church, which greatly enhanced the beauty of the worship space..

Fr. Louis E. Deimeke was assigned to the parish as of January 2, 1995.  He came from the Air Force where he had spent nearly 27 years on active duty.  During his tenure a Finance Committee has been formed, the Parish Advisory Board has been replaced by a Parish Pastoral Council, the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) has been initiated, and there has been an emphasis on collaborative ministry, which seeks to help every baptized member of the parish accept responsibility for the mission of the Church.  Social Justice, Evangelization and emphasizing hospitality have been of major concern to the Council.  In July 1995 the Parish carport burned as a result of arson and a new garage was built adjacent to the Church.  This also functions as a place for social gatherings after Masses during the summer months.  Air conditioning was installed in the Church in 1997.

The Diocesan Pastoral Planning Program which began in 1990 resulted in Immaculate Conception Parish being clustered with three other parishes in this area:  Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Margaret of Cortona in Rotterdam Junction and Our Lady of Fatima in Delanson.  A Cluster Plan was formulated by December 1995 and approved by the Diocese of Albany in 1996.  As a result, the four parishes are now working more closely together on many items.  For example, Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of the Assumption Parishes now have one combined "Feast"; we have hired a full-time Director of Religious Education and a full-time Youth Minister.

Currently, our parish consists of a large percentage of retired (ages 55-65) and elderly parishioners. Adults with elementary school aged children represent a smaller but significant and growing number of parishioners.  Middle Income and Blue Collar workers make up the remainder of our community.

Our Parish community is well known for it's friendliness, generosity, and loving sprit.  We pride ourselves on the spirituality that exists in our parish community.  Our school is a valuable resource for the children of Immaculate Conception, neighboring parishes and the larger community.  Through the loving efforts of our volunteers we are able to assist our sick, shut-ins, and those grieving the loss of a loved one.

We are one of eight Churches of various denomination within one square mile.  This provides a unique opportunity to interact by way of Ecumenical Services, us of facilities, and social activities.  Fr. O. Robert DeMartinis was assigned by Bishop Howard Hubbard to take up the duties as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in 2000.