LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of St. Boni-
face Church of Rochester, 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
150th Anniversary of St. Boniface Church of Rochester, New York; and
WHEREAS, In an effort to better serve the German Catholic population
of Southeastern Rochester, the cornerstone of the original St. Boniface
Church was laid by Bishop Timon, of Buffalo, on June 17, 1860, and on
June 26, of that same year, Bishop Timon appointed the Reverend John P.
Klein as first resident pastor of St. Boniface Church; his first care as
pastor was to provide for the opening of the school that fall; and
WHEREAS, In its 147 years, St. Boniface School educated generations of
students; and
WHEREAS, Several years later, on June 6, 1886, the cornerstone was
laid for a new church building in the same Gothic Style as the original;
unfortunately, many years later, in 1957, that building was destroyed by
a disastrous fire; and
WHEREAS, Construction for the new St. Boniface Church began on April
5, 1959 and was completed and the doors were open for the first time on
March 6, 1960; the altars were solemnly consecrated by the Most Rev.
Lawrence B. Casey, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Rochester on March 29,
1960; and
WHEREAS, Today, St. Boniface Church stands as a proud community of
Christians, ever learning and growing in faith; the church leaders and
its congregants are committed to prayer, to helping those in need, and
to developing a community of faith and hope in the South Wedge neighbor-
hood of Rochester; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of its cherished pastor for 28 years,
Father R. Richard Brickler, St. Boniface Church stands on the threshold
of tomorrow, prepared, with its newly assigned pastor, 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 150th Anniversary of St. Boniface Church of Rochester,
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 St. Boniface Church, Rochester, New York.