St. Michael’s parish celebrates its 150-year history
By Dc. Tom Cuskey
Editor
Above: A ‘family photo’ taken from the choir loft commemorated the evening liturgy.
In 1873, the population of Syracuse was only about 24,000 people. Ulysses S. Grant was president of the United States. Pope Pius IX was in the 27th year of what would become a 32-year reign, longest of any Pontiff. The Diocese of Syracuse, well, that was not yet a thing.
But it was the year that the first Catholic Mass was celebrated on Onondaga Hill. One year later, Father John J. Kennedy purchased the home of Mrs. Sophia Peck and converted it into a church. Located on the corner of Seneca Turnpike and West Avenue (you know it now as Velasko Road), it served a growing congregation until 1949 when a new building was constructed.
Father Michael Galuppi at left, Bishop Lucia and Deacon Matthew Lumia.
It’s from those humble beginnings that St. Michael’s Church has served the good people of the Hill for the past 150 years. On September 27, the community came together to celebrate an anniversary Mass and enjoy an evening of conversation, food and fellowship to mark the event.
Father Henry Pedzich, now retired, knows the parish probably better than anyone.
“Well, to be honest, I’ve been here a good part of the last 50 years as associate pastor, and then as pastor,” he said. “I served with different priests here, and I’ve got to say, I learned a lot from the priests that were here, from the people that were here, and that helped me out through my entire priesthood really.”
The current pastor is Father Michael Galuppi, who also shepherds Our Lady of Hope Church, down the hill in the Valley neighborhood of Syracuse. He, too, knows the area well.
“As a resident of Syracuse my whole life, to know that our Catholic roots have run so deep, you know, almost two-thirds of the history of the country,” he said. Recognizing the rural, farm roots of the area against the backdrop of St. Michael’s history, Father sees how important the parish was as a social and faith center to the community. “So it’s a real honor to be able to mark this part of our history,” adding that there is still much to look forward to. “Keep the faith, spread the faith, cherish the faith and continue to celebrate it,” he added.
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia was principal concelebrant of the Mass which also included the consecration of a new altar in the church sanctuary. In his homily, Bishop reminded the congregation of a key to pastoral growth and stability.
“We have to remember that all should be welcome,” he told the assembly. “All need to be welcome, even those who turn away from God at times, those who sin. I’ve got to be honest with you: I wouldn’t be here if sinners weren’t allowed. And that’s what’s so important about this place.” Citing St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Bishop said that “it’s through Christ that the whole structure is held together and rose as a temple in the Lord and that we are continuing to be built, to be built as the living presence of Christ.”
Bishop Lucia and the concelebrating priests.
Long time ushers Andy Butler and Jim Miller arrived early to be sure guests had easy access to the Mass. As to the celebration, Butler said, “It’s an honor. It’s great to be involved with a tribute to the people that grew this entity.” Miller added that “Having a celebration of 150 years is amazing, for this church and parish, and it’s an amazing community here.”
Nanette Hercsa Slowik drove up from LaFayette to attend the Mass. She’s technically not a current parishioner at St. Michael’s but she has a large stake in its history, pointing out that the Hercsa family was a presence in the community, and she came to the Mass to honor that.
“This was my home parish, so I was baptized here, made Communion, made Confirmation here, and I was married here,” she said. “And my oldest son made First Communion here. So it’s been in our family for quite a while now.”
When asked how it felt to come back for the celebration, she said, “It feels different. It’s been modernized because going out to the Turnpike, was the front door,” pointing to renovations made when Seneca Turnpike was widened. But some things never change, she said.
“It feels like coming home.”
