Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish

Main St,1 Bemus Point

History

a. June 13, 1940: Fr John O'Malley opened St Elizabeth Chapel in the basement of

Johnson's Grocery Store adjacent to Keystone Service station (6 Main St.)

b. Fall, 1940: First parish membership meeting

c. Apri11942: Land purchased at the comer of Main St and Lincoln.

d. Oct 11, 1942: Dedication of St Elizabeth's Chapel by Bishop Duffy at current site

of our Church Hall.

e. June 4, 1948: Bishop John O'Hara renames parish as Our Lady of Lourdes due to

his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother.

f. July 23, 1958: Fire severely damages the church. Masses celebrated at BPFD

(now the library) and in the Villa adjacent to the current site.

g. Nov 21, 1959: Dedication of new and current church by Bishop Leo R. Smith.

Old chapel rehabbed from fire damage and turned into a church hall.

h. June, 1973: 25th anniversary celebration of the parish

i. May 1998: Bishop Manzell celebrates 50th anniversary of the parish.

j. Sept 2001: Dedication of new rectory, offices, and religious education

classrooms. (Old rectory located across the street sold)