LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Church
of St. John the Baptist in Rome, New York

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
100th Anniversary of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Rome, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The original Italian Catholic parish of Rome, New York, was
organized at a meeting on July 26, 1909, and incorporated on August 5,
1909, under the title of St. John the Baptist Church; the first pastor
assigned was Reverend Vincenzo Giorgio and services were conducted at
311 E. Dominick Street in the Ferlo Block; and
WHEREAS, In 1911, the Church of St. John the Baptist purchased proper-
ty on River Street; a basement church was constructed first and the
building was dedicated by Monsignor Grimes of Syracuse in November; the
rest of the building was completed in 1914; and
WHEREAS, The second pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist was
Reverend Joseph Panesi, who served from 1917 until his death in 1944;
under his leadership, the congregation increased greatly as the parish
came to occupy a prominent place in the religious and community life in
Rome, New York; and
WHEREAS, One of the earliest accomplishments attributed to Reverend
Joseph Panesi was the purchase of a 3,000 pound refined bronze bell that
was made in Valduggia, Italy, and dedicated and christened on October
31, 1921; and
WHEREAS, Other improvements to the Church of St. John the Baptist
included a new tower designed by F.W. Kirkland of Rome, a three-manual
organ that required the balcony where it was installed to be enlarged
and memorial stained glass windows installed in 1926; and
WHEREAS, The Church of St. John the Baptist purchased the rectory soon
after Reverend Joseph Panesi was assigned; the lot and the house next to
the church were purchased in 1923, and served as the first headquarters
of religious instruction for children of the parish and later became the
residence of the sisters of the Order of Parish Visitors of Mary Immacu-
late, who were brought to the area in 1935 to carry on religious educa-
tion and social work; and
WHEREAS, The congregation of the Church of St. John the Baptist
continued to grow and in 1926, the Bishop of the Syracuse Diocese sent
Reverend Francis J. Zimmer to serve as the first assistant in the histo-
ry of the parish; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, Reverend Victor F. Ciciarelli, a native of Syracuse,
became the third pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist; soon
after his arrival, he made plans to free the parish of its mortgages and
the last of the four mortgages was burned later that year; the following
year, property at 146 Stanwix Street was purchased to be used as a
convent for the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate; and
WHEREAS, Services at the Church of St. John the Baptist became over-
crowded, with worshippers being forced to stand on the outside steps;
conditions were eased when the Church of Education at Mohawk and Third
Street was converted into a mission church for Sunday Masses in 1948;
and

WHEREAS, In 1952, the Church of St. John the Baptist purchased proper-
ty from the Revere Copper and Brass Company and a new church building at
200 E. Dominick Street was dedicated on May 23, 1954; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Victor F. Ciciarelli was made an Honorary Prelate by
Pope Paul VI in February 1972, and given the title of Monsignor; in
1974, Reverend Anthony F. Tosti came to the Church of St. John the
Baptist as an Assistant and was appointed Co-Pastor in 1976; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, Reverend Anthony F. Tosti was named the fourth
pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist when Monsignor Victor F.
Ciciarelli retired; he was replaced by Reverend Anthony LaFache in 1991;
and
WHEREAS, Reverend Joseph J. Clemente became the pastor of the Church
of St. John the Baptist in 1992; he was replaced by the current pastor,
Reverend John F. Hogan, Jr., in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Since celebrating its 75th Jubilee in 1984, the Church of St.
John the Baptist has purchased a custom Rodgers pipe organ; installed a
Dover elevator and a handicapped bathroom; completed the Mother Frances
Xavier Cabrini Chapel; started a youth ministry program, Life Teen; and
purchased a new convent for the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate; and
WHEREAS, The Church of St. John the Baptist in Rome, New York stands
on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the
coming decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which character-
izes 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 100th Anniversary of the Church of St. John the Baptist
in Rome, New York, 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 the Church of St. John the Baptist in Rome, New York.