LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of St. Grego-
ry the Great Roman Catholic Church of Harrison, New York, to be cele-
brated on April 30, 2011

WHEREAS, Religious institutions and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions who have contributed to the ethical and
spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church of
Harrison, New York, to be observed at its Centennial Celebration Dinner
Dance on Saturday, April 30, 2011; and
WHEREAS, In March of 1900, the Archbishop of New York established the
Mission Church of St. Gregory the Great in Harrison, New York, sustained
by itinerant priests who traveled from neighboring communities to serve
the growing Catholic population in Harrison, New York; and
WHEREAS, What began as a mission church led to the establishment of a
parish church on April 30, 1911, with the assignment of the congre-
gation's first pastor, Reverend Edward F. O'Sullivan, appointed by
Cardinal John Farley; and
WHEREAS, The original church was built in 1902; in order to accommo-
date the widening of Halstead Avenue, the authentic replica of a Europe-
an 15th Century church was demolished; that same year, the foundation
for a new church commenced, and a year later the lower church, housed at
the corner of Halstead Avenue and Broadway, was completed; and
WHEREAS, During the construction of the new St. Gregory the Great
Roman Catholic Church, the congregation added to its infrastructure with
the establishment of a school in 1953, and a convent in 1954; the
completion of the church was realized in 1961 with the addition of the
upper church; and
WHEREAS, For 100 years, St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church
has made significant contributions to its community through the benevo-
lent works of its priests and its laity who serve in various ministries
and committees including a worship ministry, an education ministry, a
service ministry and a fellowship ministry; and
WHEREAS, Many of St. Gregory's congregants have actively served their
community in numerous capacities such as Mayor, Councilman/Trustee,
Judge, Tax Assessor, Planning and Zoning Board Members, Recreation Coor-
dinator, Board of Education Members, Parent-Teacher Association Members,
Fire Chief and Volunteers, Police Chief and Officers, Meals-on-Wheels
Volunteers, Youth Sports Coaches, and Inter-Congregational Layman's
Committee Members, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church of Harrison, New
York, stands on the threshold of tomorrow prepared to meet the chal-
lenges of the coming decades while retaining that spiritual 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 100th Anniversary of St. Gregory the Great Roman Cathol-
ic Church of Harrison, New York, to be observed on April 30, 2011, 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 St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church, Harrison, New
York.