LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Church
of Assumption of Peekskill, New York, to be celebrated on May 1, 2009

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
150th Anniversary of the Church of Assumption of Peekskill, New York, to
be celebrated at a Gala on Friday, May 1, 2009, at Colonial Terrace,
Cortlandt Manor, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Church of Assumption was founded in 1859, seventy-four
years after the first Catholic church in New York State; at this time,
Peekskill was becoming a thriving manufacturing center, and the Cathol-
ics of the region wanted a parish and resident priest of their own; and
WHEREAS, They received assistance from Fr. Nicholas O'Donnell, O.S.A.,
the Pastor of Verplanck, under whom the enterprise was launched;
collection for the new Church began in 1860, and Mass was said in a
rented room; the Church was opened in 1865, under the title of the
Assumption, during the pastorate of Father Patrick L. Madden, who
succeeded Father O'Donnell in 1863; and
WHEREAS, Under the pastorate of Father James T. Curran, plans were
made for a building that could encompass multiple uses including accom-
modating the school population of the parish, providing for crowds at
Sunday Mass, as well as serving as the center of the social, cultural,
and recreational life of the town and parish; and
WHEREAS, On July 25, 1904, ground was broken across the street from
the Church for the Guardian, with construction being completed on Octo-
ber 31, 1909; the theatre had its inaugural performance on October 1,
1906, and the school graduated its first class in 1913; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years the Church of Assumption has been led by
exemplary men of great faith and unwavering devotion, including: The
Reverend Nicholas O'Donnell, O.S.A. (1859-1863); The Reverend Patrick L.
Madden (1863-1866); The Reverend James Hassan (1866-1870); The Reverend
Patrick F. McSweeney (1871-1872); The Reverend Jeremiah Griffin
(1872-1873); The Reverend William Flannelly (1873-1879); The Reverend
Michael Callaghan (1879-1888); The Reverend John F. McElinney
(1889-1890); and The Reverend James Fitzsimmons (1890-1891); and
WHEREAS, Guiding the congregation throughout the 21st Century and
beyond was The Reverend James T. Curran, PhD DD (1891-1916); The Rever-
end Richard H. Tobin (1916-1920); The Reverend Michael A. Walsh
(1920-1924); The Reverend Edward J. Higgins (1924-1928); The Reverend
John A. Harris (1928-1932); The Right Reverend Monsignor Francis W.
Walsh (1932-1939); The Reverend Monsignor Joseph Stuhr (1939-1968); The
Reverend Monsignor Charles Walsh (1968-1970); The Reverend Charles
Wilson (1970-1984); The Reverend Robert Brennan (1984-1988); and The
Reverend Monsignor Francis J. Ansbro (1988-2006); and
WHEREAS, Today, under the leadership of The Reverend John J. Higgins,
the Church of Assumption stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared
to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining that spir-
itual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Church of Assumption of Peeks-
kill, New York, to be observed on Friday, May 1, 2009, fully confident
that this commemoration reflects the belief in those values which
enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend John J. Higgins, Pastor, the Church of Assumption,
Peekskill, New York.