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8 Wickford Way, Fairport, New York 14450
Phone: 585-248-5993
Fax: 585-387-0517
E-Mail:  fstjohno@dor.org

St. John of Rochester
Parish History

In June of 1962 Bishop James E. Kearney formally established the parish of St. John of Rochester to be located in the town of Perinton. The patron saint of the new parish was to be St. John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr. He was the bishop of Rochester, England under the reign of King Henry the Eighth. Bishop Fisher always signed his pastoral letters to his flock, "John of Rochester." Hence the name of the new parish.

When the Rev. John Le Veque set up his rectory in a ranch house on Littlebrook Drive, he contacted the Catholics of the area in the summer of 1962 and the new St. John of Rochester Parish was born. He held Mass for his new flock in the small chapel at Bushnell's Basin. The chapel, donated by St. Louis Pittsford parish, was cleaned and painted by a group of those founding parishioners that summer.

From then until September 1963, parishioners attended Mass at the tiny, 50-seat chapel, often standing in the doorway or under the windows because of the crowded conditions. On September 15, 1963, Fr. Le Veque proudly opened the new combined school and church building, designed by James H. Johnston and built on land at Route 31 and Wickford Way acquired from the Indian Valley tract. The school which opened in 1963 was staffed until 1972 by the Sisters of Mercy, who set up their convent in a residence at 10 Oakwood Lane.

When Fr. Le Veque died suddenly in 1968, Rev. Vincent Collins became the second pastor of St. John of Rochester. During his tenure the Parish Center on Ayrault Road was acquired from Assumption parish, and the first Parish Council was elected. Following Fr. Collins' death in 1980, Rev. Bernard Dollen became the third pastor of St. John of Rochester parish on June 28, 1980. Within three months after arriving, Father Dollen launched the drive which resulted in the new Church building which was dedicated by Bishop Clark on October 31, 1983. He served until 1990 when Father Robert MacNamara was designated as pastor.

Father McNamara served as pastor for two years from 1990 - 1992.

Fr. James Boyle was appointed as pastor in June, 1992. Fr. Boyle served St. John of Rochester for 15 years. He retired in June 2007.

Our present pastor, Father Peter Clifford, was named as pastor in June 2007.