www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Sts. Peter and Paul, Granville, NY

I live in Wilton, not too far from Granville. I wonder if that parish still exists because I would like to stop in and see it when the Coronavirus restrictions are lifted and cleared. If anybody has any information on the current status, please let me know.

Wishing All a Blessed Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Pascha (Gregorian, Revised Julian and Julian Calendars),

Three Cents

It's on Google Street view. It says SS Peter and Paul and has a Slavic cross on top. The rest of the sign is missing.

Here is the URL:
Google Street View [google.com]

Here is information on Eparchy website:SS Peter and Paul [eparchyofpassaic.com]

We should volunteer to make them a website?

I haven't checked back here in a while. I'm still hoping someone with a connection to that church will check in here. Not at all related, but there was a Finnish Orthodox mission in Upper Michigan from the 50's to about 1965. I've found even less information about that mission; in fact, nothing. It belonged to Bishop Bohdan of the Ukrainian Orthodox diocese, which was part of the EP.

I haven't checked back here in a while. I'm still hoping someone with a connection to that church will check in here. Not at all related, but there was a Finnish Orthodox mission in Upper Michigan from the 50's to about 1965. I've found even less information about that mission; in fact, nothing. It belonged to Bishop Bohdan of the Ukrainian Orthodox diocese, which was part of the EP.

I haven't checked back here in a while. I'm still hoping someone with a connection to that church will check in here. Not at all related, but there was a Finnish Orthodox mission in Upper Michigan from the 50's to about 1965. I've found even less information about that mission; in fact, nothing. It belonged to Bishop Bohdan of the Ukrainian Orthodox diocese, which was part of the EP.

Bob,

I'm guessing that, in speaking of the 'Catholic Directory', you are referring to the online site by that name, It is not an online version of the 'Official Catholic Directory', the voluminous and authoritative tome published annually. rather, it is like MassTimes and other sites of that ilk, specific listings on which are not always accurate. There is no Latin Rite parish in Granville by that name, only the Byzantine temple which is still being carried on the eparchial rolls, for what reason, I cannot guess, but which is clearly pastorally unserved.

Many years,

Neil

Christ is in our midst!!

Neil,

When I referred to "The Catholic Directory," I meant that cumbersome book. Maybe I misread the entry.

Bob

I'm surprised that in all this time, nobody has come forward to claim any knowledge of, or connection with this church. Some internet research indicates that the present mayor of Granville, Paul Labas, is a native son of the parish. In fact, his late father and brother were cantors in the parish. Perhaps he, like any remaining survivors, goes elsewhere out of neccesity. It would seem that somewhere they must be at least some descendants of the parishoners. Maybe someone reading this might know of someone?

Father Al, bless,

It's good to hear form you. I hope you are having a spiritually fruitful Great Lent.

Bob

Dear Father Al,

I was baptized in the church (and my sisters), and attended Sunday mass for the first 15 or so of my years. My grandparents were Slavic and lived in Granville, and I know the people you've mentioned on this thread. I suspect the reason no one has replied is that the church closed as everyone "aged-out" and no young people really attended (I attended sporadically into the 1990's, or possibly later, but not much more). My memories are of wonderful singing/cantoring(?), incense, Father Hal not being the most social, and early morning Easter mass when everyone would bring baskets of home-prepared foods to be blessed, followed by the entire church following Father Hal slowly around the church (outside, in the cold). I probably have a video somewhere of a service (probably VHS?). If you check the local newspaper archives (The Granville Sentinel), there may be articles by Helen (?) Macura, who attended and wrote local human interest and historical articles (she must be well into her 90's, now).

Also, the church was opened in the last decade just for a few funerals (just opened for that day). I have some relatives who may have more specific information about the church.

Thank you for the information! To clarify, my dad took us to that church for Easter circa 1960. That was my first experience in any Eastern church. My mother had taken us to Protestant services closer to home. I honestly cannot remember a thing. Dad had thought that it was a "Russian" church. Neither of my parents had me baptized in their respective churches.
My own baptism was at St. Nicholas OCA church in Pittsfield, MA at age 18. Funny story, I couldn't speak Russian at the time. I later learned Russian, along with Ukrainian and Slovak. Fr. Jozef had come from Slovakia a year or so earlier. I thought he spoke Russian well; later found out that he came here speaking only Slovak and po-nasomu. He was learning Russian as well, but the knowledge of his native tongues put him ahead of me!
Fr. Jozef reposed two years ago. His daughter sent me his gold cross, which I wear over my cassock and sometimes when serving. I was blessed to concelebrate for his funeral. Vicnaja jemu pamjat'!

I couldn't PM Neo because the mailbox was full. It seems that Sts. Peter and Paul is permanently closed.

Christ is in our midst!!

Father Al,

Neo seems to be a new poster who does not yet have pm privileges.

Bob
Moderator

I upgraded Neo to full membership so that he can PM.