Parish History
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The parish of Saint Catherine of Siena was formed in February 1953 when the Most Reverend Edmund F. Gibbons, Bishop of Albany, directed the Reverend Lawrence P. Kelly to "Build your church here, Father." Father Kelly, Saint Catherine's first pastor, acted quickly to locate a temporary chapel for the five hundred families of the newly created Parish. Masses were celebrated on March 4, 1953 at the Dominican Monastery on New Scotland Avenue, now a part of Maria College of Albany. A separate home at 711 New Scotland Avenue, midway between the Monastery and the proposed church site, was purchased on March 4 to serve as the rectory.

Construction of the proposed parish buildings (a school and church/auditorium) was financed by a two-stage house-to-house canvas. The quote of $225,000 was surpassed by $26,000 and building contracts were then awarded to four major contractors. Excavation began on September 1, 1953.

The cornerstone was set on November 22 by Bishop Gibbons. The formal dedication of the new church and school took place on October 24, 1954. Assisted by the Reverend Joseph P. Kelly, the Reverend Raymond F. Rooney, Chancellor, and many of the clergy of the Diocese, the Most Reverend William A. Scully, Coadjutor Bishop of Albany, blessed the church and school. On this occasion sixty-two children and six adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation. On the following Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King, the first High Mass was celebrated for parishioners who had died since the founding of the parish.

The parish has grown to 1,200 plus families. The parish plant consists of a new Church, constructed in 1998; the School building at 35 Hurst Avenue, erected in 1953; and the Parish Center, located at 40 Hopewell Street (our official mailing address), which houses the Parish Office, meeting rooms, and Pre-School. The Rectory, the residence for Parish Priests, is located at 40 Collins Place. Both Parish Center and Rectory were constructed in 1962.