Two diocesan churches celebrate centennials

Reverend George Oley names both parishes in honor of his mother

When one looks back at Onondaga County 100 years ago, the landscape, lifestyle, and economic environment have changed dramatically. In 1926, Onondaga was a booming manufacturing county. Syracuse and surrounding towns featured a mix of heavy industry and manufacturing, including H. H. Franklin Automobile Company, Smith & Brothers Typewriter (which merged with Corona Typewriters that year), Onondaga Pottery Company (later renamed Syracuse China), and Solvay Process, to name a few. These major industrial hubs attracted thousands of laborers, including immigrants from Ireland, Poland, Italy, and Germany. 

In 1926, electric-powered streetcars ran throughout the county, connecting downtown Syracuse with surrounding towns and villages. Mattydale and North Syracuse were two such suburbs whose residents used the streetcars to shop, go to work, and attend Mass.  At the time, the diocese had 148 active Catholic churches. To support a growing population, Bishop Daniel J. Curley established 28 new parishes during his tenure. Among these are St. Margaret’s Parish in Mattydale and St. Rose of Lima in North Syracuse, both currently celebrating their centennial anniversaries.

St. Margaret’s Church 

St. Margaret’s Church was founded on July 1, 1926, when the Reverend George Oley was appointed as its first pastor. Known as the “Little Church,” the small wooden structure was erected to provide an immediate place of worship for the local Mattydale community. A permanent building was completed and officially dedicated by Bishop Curley on June 24, 1929.

These days, Fr. Joseph Zareski, who has served in every region of the diocese in his 46 years as a priest, is at the helm at St. Margaret’s. Father Zareski, who has been pastor to St. Margaret’s for just a year so far, said the people are examples of those who live in the Lord. “Every parish I have had the opportunity to serve God and his people has been a blessing,” he said. “I think the people in each parish have taught me many things, especially how to love God and my neighbor.” He is encouraged to see younger people with their children attending Mass. “They seem happy with the parish, which is pleasing to me, and with their help, they continue to bring others to Christ.”

Donna Skrocki has been a parishioner at St. Margaret’s for 73 years. While the congregation has become smaller and the parishioners are older, she, too, is now seeing younger families in the pews. “St. Margaret’s is a warm and welcoming church with devoted parishioners who are kind and active in our many programs,” she said. Skrocki, a former parish council president, is currently the director of human development and the food pantry. The food pantry serves about 130 families in the community and donates school supplies for families in need. She is proud of the active ministries that the parish provides with the help of compassionate and committed volunteers. “I look forward to many more years of memories as a parishioner at St. Margaret’s,” she said.

St. Rose of Lima 

In 1926, Fr. George Oley also founded St. Rose as a mission church, which later became its own parish. Fr. Oley named both churches after his mother, Margaret Rose. Since its beginning, the church has had a rich history in serving the Catholic community of North Syracuse and the surrounding area. 

Pat Fergerson, long-time parishioner and resident of North Syracuse, is well-versed in the area’s history. Fergerson explained that the region flourished in the early 1800s with the development of the Erie Canal. “Folks from other parts of the state emigrated to the area, mostly as farmers,” said Fergerson. “The Northern Electric Railway (the trolley) brought the next influx of people; a wider variety of immigrant families, following the same pattern of migration as the rest of the area, very often farmers, as in past generations,” she explained. Fergerson said that before St. Rose was built, Catholics went into the city for Mass, often taking the trolley that ran along what is now South Bay Road.

Farmland transformed into residential developments during the 1930s and postwar eras, fueled by job growth at General Electric. This growth diversified the local school district and expanded religious institutions like St. Rose. 

From its beginnings in 1926 with Rev. George Oley to Fr. Christopher Celentano at the helm since 2019, St. Rose has had a rich history serving the Catholic community of North Syracuse and the surrounding area. 

Mike Marafino is also involved in researching and documenting the history of the church. A member of the parish since 1951, Marafino has witnessed the congregation’s shifting ebb and flow over the decades. 

“When Fr. Celentano arrived in 2019, it was apparent the church building needed major repairs,” Marafino explained. The church was extensively renovated through the Renew Capital Campaign that was completed in 2022. “That marked the beginning of a true renewal for both our facilities and our congregation. Our Masses went from being quite empty to overflowing. Today, we have a highly active parish, and our facilities are first-rate,” said Marafino.

Betsy Amico, director of discipleship, said the centennial is one of celebration and service. The parish hosted an outdoor Mass on July 12, commemorating the first Mass held at the church. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia joined the congregation on August 23 to celebrate Mass on the feast day of St. Rose of Lima, followed by a picnic. “We are leaning into our mission statement, ‘to love and serve the Lord,’ by offering opportunities to serve the community together through various organizations over the next year,” Amico said. 

“For 100 years, Saint Rose of Lima has been a place where people encounter God’s love, celebrate the sacraments and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ,” added Fr. Celentano. “As we celebrate this milestone, we are grateful for those who came before us and recommit ourselves to the proclamation of the Gospel in word and deed. Together we look forward to the next 100 years, loving and serving the Lord.”

From the immigrants who settled in Upstate New York 100 years ago, to the new and varied cultures that are part of our community today, St. Margaret’s and St. Rose of Lima embrace and welcome all those who choose to live a life of faith as followers of Christ.