LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the Church
of the Immaculate Conception of Keeseville, New York, to be celebrated
on August 15, 2010

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 takes pleasure in commemorating the
175th Anniversary of the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Keese-
ville, New York, to be celebrated with a special Anniversary Mass on
August 15, 2010, presided by His Excellency Bishop Terry LaValley the
14th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York; and
WHEREAS, This Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception has a
rich history of the Irish-American spirit of hard work and faithful and
loyal commitment within their communities; and
WHEREAS, The construction of this church began by the parishioners in
the spring of 1835 under the guidance of a newly ordained priest, Father
John Rogers, OMI; by summers' end of that same year, the church was
completed and dedicated by Bishop John Dubois from the Archdiocese of
New York; and
WHEREAS, The church is said to be the oldest original church building
in use which pre-dates the Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York, established
by Pope IX on February 16, 1872; and
WHEREAS, The first resident pastor, Father Michael McDonnell, served
Keeseville and surrounding area; today, the Church of the Immaculate
Conception, together with Saint John the Baptist Church and more than
750 families, now comprise the Roman Catholic Community of Keeseville,
New York parish and is served by resident Pastor Lee Poissant; and
WHEREAS, Here in Keeseville, it was the first Catholic Community to
attempt a cooperative Pastorate by Father Jerry Cerank and Father John
Hunt which began in 1980, under the guidance of Bishop Stanislaus Brza-
na; and
WHEREAS, The Roman Catholic Community of Keeseville, 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 people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Church of
Keeseville, New York to be observed on August 15, 2010, 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 Roman Catholic Community of Keeseville New York, 1804
Main Street, Keeseville, New York 12944-3645.