About Church of the Nativity Parish @ Immaculate Conception · Pompey, New York
Immaculate Conception Church in Pompey, NY is one of the four worship sites of the Church of the Nativity, a multi-parish Catholic community serving the southern Onondaga County hill towns of Pompey, Tully, Lafayette, and Otisco. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Syracuse and is currently led by Rev. Dennis Walker, who pastors all four Nativity sites from his assignment in November 2023. Immaculate Conception itself dates to 1873, when it was formally established with a resident pastor, and the present church on Academy Street was dedicated in 1893 by Bishop Patrick A. Ludden.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Dennis Walker (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers an intimate, small-town Catholic community rooted in a hill town that has hosted the Catholic faith since the very first Mass said in New York State in 1655. Parishioners gather at the historic 1893 church on Academy Street for Sunday Mass, send their children to a K–12 faith formation program that prepares them for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation, and serve neighbors in need through the Fabius-Pompey Outreach food pantry. As part of the four-site Church of the Nativity family, the parish connects worshippers to a wider network of Catholics across Pompey, Tully, Lafayette, and Otisco, all under the pastoral care of Fr. Dennis Walker.
Mass times at Church of the Nativity Parish @ Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:15 PM @ St. Leo's, Tully
- Monday 6:00–7:00 PM @ St. Joseph's, Lafayette
Adoration times
- Monday 6:00–7:00 PM @ St. Joseph's, Lafayette
- Thursday 9:00–10:00 AM @ St. Leo's, Tully (after Daily Mass)
History of Immaculate Conception Parish
Catholic life in Pompey predates the State of New York itself. The parish's own published timeline begins on November 14, 1655, when Father Chaumonot said the first Mass in New York State at Indian Hill in the Town of Pompey. Nearly two centuries later, the 1836/1837 conversion and baptism of Mr. and Mrs. David Dodge seeded the modern Catholic community. In 1850 Mr. Dodge bought a house and turned it into a chapel (now the Hammond property), and in 1852 the old Baptist Church and rectory were purchased for $500 and remodeled as the early worship space — the building that long served as LeMoyne Hall.
- 1655 – Father Chaumonot celebrates the first Mass in New York State at Indian Hill, Pompey.
- 1836/1837 – Conversion and Baptism of Mr. and Mrs. David Dodge.
- 1850 – David Dodge buys a house and converts it into a chapel (later the Hammond property).
- 1852 – Old Baptist Church and rectory purchased for $500, remodeled with donations from Catholic pioneers; later known as LeMoyne Hall.
- 1873 – Immaculate Conception Parish formally established with first resident pastor, Father John Fitzpatrick.
- 1892 – Excavation for the present church begins; cornerstone laid in November 1892.
- 1893 – Immaculate Conception Church dedicated in June by Most Rev. Patrick A. Ludden, D.O., Bishop of Syracuse.
- 1973 – Centennial Celebration of the parish (1873–1973).
- 1993 – Centennial of the dedication of the church, marked on Sunday, September 12, 1993.
Church of the Nativity: A Family of Four Parishes
Immaculate Conception is one of four historic worship sites that together make up the Church of the Nativity, a collaborative grouping serving the southern Onondaga County hill towns. The shared website nativityny.org coordinates Mass times, staff, religious education, outreach, and youth ministry across the family. The four sites are Immaculate Conception in Pompey, St. Leo's in Tully, St. Joseph's in Lafayette, and St. Patrick's Mission in Otisco.
- Immaculate Conception, Pompey – Sunday 8:00 AM Mass (this parish).
- St. Leo's, Tully – Saturday Vigil 4:30 PM; Daily Mass Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM; (315) 696-5092, [email protected].
- St. Joseph's, Lafayette – Sunday 9:30 AM Mass; (315) 677-3439, [email protected].
- St. Patrick's Mission, Otisco – Sunday 11:30 AM Mass; (315) 696-5092, [email protected].
Pastor and Parish Staff
Rev. Dennis Walker is the Administrator who pastors all four parishes of the Church of the Nativity. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Syracuse on June 5, 2021, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and previously served parishes in North Syracuse, Mattydale, Cortland, Homer, De Ruyter, and Truxton before being assigned to the Nativity parishes on November 15, 2023. In addition to his pastoral duties, Fr. Dennis is Director of the Office of Vocation Promotion for the Diocese of Syracuse and Chaplain for the Boy Scouts of America within the Diocese. He lists preaching at weekend Masses as a favorite part of his ministry, and his recent homilies are available online.
- Administrator/Pastor – Rev. Dennis Walker (ordained 2021; assigned November 15, 2023).
- Parish Office at Immaculate Conception – Ann Christmas.
- Parish Office at St. Leo's – Linda Swan.
- Parish Office at St. Joseph's and St. Patrick's – Peg Sutton.
- Liturgy Coordinator (Immaculate Conception) – Ann Derr.
- Religious Education (Immaculate Conception) – Barb McKenney, (315) 677-3061.
- Religious Education (St. Joseph's) – Anne Loughlin & Michelle Benjamin, (315) 677-3439.
- Religious Education (St. Leo's & St. Patrick's) – Rev. Dennis Walker, (315) 696-5092.
- Cemetery (Immaculate Conception) – Terry Christmas.
- Cemetery (St. Leo's) – Dennis Kennedy.
- Cemetery (St. Patrick's) – Shawn Henderson.
- Youth Ministry contact – Rose Kane, cell (315) 382-1716.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Immaculate Conception's Faith Formation program is designed to guide youth from kindergarten through high school in understanding, reflecting on, discussing, and growing in their Catholic faith. Youth and their families gain knowledge of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church and receive preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The parish uses 'A Family of Faith,' a turnkey program that helps parents lead their children to Christ and helps build strong Catholic families. Adult formation is offered through the RCIA process for anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or becoming Catholic.
- Youth Faith Formation (K–12) – Immaculate Conception, with Barb McKenney as contact (315) 677-3061.
- 'A Family of Faith' parish catechetical program for parents and children.
- Sacramental Preparation: Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation for high-school students.
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) – contact Ann Derr (315) 683-9415 or Barb McKenney (315) 682-5818.
- VIRTUS Certification required to teach or volunteer with children; the parish can help direct you through the certification process.
- Totus Tuus summer program mentioned in parish communications.
Outreach and Service
Parishioners serve neighbors in need primarily through the Fabius-Pompey Outreach, the local food pantry that supports the Fabius-Pompey school district. Founded in 1988, the outreach runs the Fabius Food Pantry and the Delphi Falls Food Pantry and welcomes volunteers and donations. The Immaculate Conception basement serves as a pickup site for community sales and distributions, and the parish lists Fabius-Pompey Outreach among its core ministries.
- Fabius-Pompey Outreach – local food pantry, (315) 677-3590.
- Delphi Falls United Church partner site – Pantry phone (315) 677-9020 / (315) 481-6112.
- LaFayette Outreach – (315) 677-5221.
- St. Leo's / St. Patrick's Outreach – (315) 696-5092.
- Order/pickup events held in the basement of Immaculate Conception Church (entrance behind the church).
Sacraments
Parishioners are invited to call the Parish Office at the church they attend to arrange the Sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing/Hospital visits. First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are normally received through the parish's Faith Formation program, and the RCIA process welcomes adults seeking baptism, full communion, or simply a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith.
- Baptism – call the Parish Office at Immaculate Conception, (315) 677-3061.
- Marriage – call the Parish Office at the church you attend.
- Reconciliation – Saturday 3:30–4:15 PM @ St. Leo's, Tully; Monday 6:00–7:00 PM @ St. Joseph's, Lafayette.
- Anointing of the Sick / Hospital visits – call the Parish Office.
- RCIA for adults — Becoming Catholic, contact Ann Derr (315) 683-9415 or Barb McKenney (315) 682-5818.
Parish Cemeteries
Each of the four Nativity parishes maintains its own historic parish cemetery, with designated volunteer or staff contacts listed on the parish About page. Immaculate Conception's cemetery contact is Terry Christmas; St. Leo's is Dennis Kennedy; and St. Patrick's is Shawn Henderson. Families seeking information about burial plots, records, or perpetual care should reach out through the Parish Office.
- Immaculate Conception Cemetery – contact Terry Christmas.
- St. Leo's Cemetery – contact Dennis Kennedy.
- St. Patrick's Cemetery – contact Shawn Henderson.
- St. Joseph's Cemetery – contact via the Parish Office, (315) 677-3439.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Fitzpatrick1873–
First resident pastor when Immaculate Conception Parish was formally established in 1873.