About St. Joseph · Holland, New York
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church is an active faith community of about 600 households in the Town of Holland, New York, located on Route 16 (North Main Street) about 25 miles southeast of Buffalo. As a member of Family of Parishes #33 — the Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community — it is linked with St. Mary in Arcade & East Arcade, St. Aloysius in Springville, and (per the Diocese of Buffalo family list) St. Jude in Sardinia and St. John the Baptist in West Valley. The parish serves a wide rural area of roughly 120 square miles and offers a full sacramental life, faith formation for children and adults, music ministry, outreach, a parish cemetery, and many lay-led ministries rooted in decades of small-town Catholic life.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel J. Fawls
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
St. Joseph's offers the warmth of a small-town Catholic parish with the full sacramental and devotional life of a much larger one — Sunday Mass, faith formation from CCD through Confirmation, a robust RCIA program, a parish cemetery, a parish library, and dozens of lay-led ministries from Altar & Rosary to Bereavement, Outreach, and Respect Life. As part of the Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community it shares its priests with sister parishes in Arcade, East Arcade, and Springville, but it remains a distinct worshipping community of about 600 households serving a 120-square-mile corner of rural Erie County.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment / contact the rectory (the parish website lists Reconciliation as a service; the neighboring St. Mary Arcade site within the same Family of Parishes offers Saturday 4:30 pm)
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is offered at the sister parishes within the Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community (Thursdays and Fridays 9 am–5 pm at St. Mary's, Arcade) — refer to the bulletin for any parish-specific times at St. Joseph's
Parish History
Catholic life in Holland began in 1865 as St. Joseph's Mission on Pratham Road, built by Irish settlers and about 15–20 Catholic families. After a new Park Street church was dedicated in 1886 by Bishop Ryan and then destroyed by fire in 1918, the parish worshipped in the Putnam Hotel for six years before reorganizing as an independent parish under Rev. John Klimek on October 5, 1924. The current church was built 1965–1968 under Fr. James J. Dyrek and dedicated by Bishop James McNulty on May 19, 1968.
- 1865 — St. Joseph's Mission founded on Pratham Road by Irish families from the Sardinia/Concord area
- 1886 — Bishop Ryan dedicates the new Park Street church built through Joseph Schlum's subscription drive
- October 24, 1918 — Park Street church destroyed by fire
- 1924 — Rev. John Klimek organizes the parish; first Mass in the remodeled Zaph property October 5, 1924
- 1965–1967 — Building of the present church under Fr. James J. Dyrek; first Mass May 1, 1967
- May 19, 1968 — Dedication and consecration of the altar by Bishop James McNulty
- January 2010 — Sanctuary renovation and new carpeting completed
Clergy & Staff
St. Joseph's is pastored by Rev. Daniel J. Fawls, who also serves as pastor of the broader Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community (Family of Parishes #33). He is assisted by Senior Parochial Vicar Rev. Jozef Dudzik and by Deacons Jeffrey Foster and Richard F. Maciewicz. The parish staff includes Faith Formation Coordinator Theresa O'Neal, RCIA Coordinator Becky Bartels, Music Minister Marianne Barnas, Finance Committee Chair Joe Kerber, Maintenance Supervisor Andrew Dembik, and Trustee Susan Vanderbush.
- Pastor: Rev. Daniel J. Fawls
- Senior Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jozef Dudzik
- Deacons: Jeffrey Foster, Richard F. Maciewicz
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Theresa O'Neal
- RCIA Coordinator: Becky Bartels
- Music Minister: Marianne Barnas
- Finance Committee Chair: Joe Kerber
- Maintenance Supervisor: Andrew Dembik
- Trustee: Susan Vanderbush
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education (CCD) is offered on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from 9:45 am to 12:00 pm under Director Theresa O'Neal, preparing students for First Communion (Grade 3) and Confirmation (Grade 11) after at least two years of formation. The parish also runs the Generations of Faith program — a parish-wide initiative launched under Msgr. Matt Wendzikowski to involve the entire parish in faith formation regardless of age.
- Religious Education (CCD): 1st and 3rd Sundays, 9:45 am – 12:00 pm
- Director: Theresa O'Neal — (716) 592-4869
- First Communion: Grade 3, minimum 2 years of preparation
- Confirmation: Grade 11, minimum 2 years of preparation
- Generations of Faith: parish-wide faith formation program
- Children are actively involved in liturgy under parish tradition
RCIA / OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (recently re-styled OCIA) welcomes adults who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, Catholics seeking Confirmation, or Catholics wishing to update their faith education. The process begins in the fall and culminates with reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil, followed by a short post-Easter mystagogy. Coordinator: Becky Bartels.
- Coordinator: Becky Bartels
- Begins each fall
- Sacramental reception at the Easter Vigil
- Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, Catholics seeking Confirmation, and adult learners
Music & Liturgy
Music at the 11:00 Sunday Mass is led by the parish Folk Group under Music Minister Marianne Barnas. A Liturgy Committee, which is also part of Parish Council, oversees the weekly and seasonal Masses, including preparation and decorating the church. Altar Servers assist at Liturgies every few weeks and at weddings and funerals; girls and boys may begin after 3rd grade / First Communion.
- Folk Group / Music Ministry — Marianne Barnas, 716-537-2329
- Provides music for the 11:00 Sunday Mass and special occasions
- Liturgy Committee oversees weekly and seasonal Masses
- Altar Servers open to boys and girls after 3rd grade
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. Joseph's has a wide array of lay-led ministries organized through the Parish Council, including liturgical, devotional, social, service, and formation groups. The parish strongly emphasizes welcoming new members, prayer for the sick and bereaved, respect for life from conception to natural death, and stewardship of the church building and grounds.
- Altar & Rosary Society (3rd Tuesday at 1 pm)
- Eucharistic Ministers (assisted by Lectors/Readers)
- Ushers, Greeters, and Welcoming Ministry
- Outreach Ministry / Christian Service
- Respect Life Ministry
- Social Committee (coffee hours, breakfasts, picnics)
- Bereavement Ministry (funeral breakfasts)
- Prayer Circle (intercessory prayer)
- Bible Study (periodic; Catholic Biblical School referral)
- Bishop's Committee Discussion Group (women's small groups)
- Buildings & Maintenance Committee
Sacramental & Pastoral Care
The pastor visits the hospital when called; parishioners also visit when possible, and the prayer chain and Mass Intentions are invoked. Ministers of the Sick bring Communion to anyone unable to attend Mass for a month or longer. Annulment cases are referred to the Diocese of Buffalo Marriage Tribunal. Marriage preparation begins with an interview with the pastor followed by in-home Pre-Cana sessions with a married couple mentor.
- Baptism (infant or adult via RCIA)
- First Communion and Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Marriage preparation with mentor couple
- Anointing / pastoral care of the sick and homebound
- Funeral Bereavement Ministry
- Annulment referrals to the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal (716-847-8769)
Outreach & Charities
The Outreach Ministry is a Parish Council committee whose members care for the poor and needy of the area. The parish works with Catholic Charities (Downtown Buffalo office 856-4494; Springville office 592-3420) and supports Respect Life activities throughout the year. A prayer chain lifts up hospitalized and homebound parishioners upon request.
- Outreach Ministry — care for the poor and needy in the area
- Catholic Charities referrals (Buffalo 856-4494; Springville 592-3420)
- Respect Life Ministry activities year-round
- Prayer chain for the sick, hospitalized, and bereaved
Cemetery
St. Joseph's maintains parish cemeteries including one on Route 16 north of Holland and a newer one on Olean Road. The Cemetery Committee oversees maintenance and policies; the parish bookkeeper handles cemetery income and accounts.
- Cemetery on Route 16, north of Holland
- Newer cemetery on Olean Road
- Cemetery Committee oversees maintenance and policies
- Cemetery finances handled by the parish bookkeeper
Getting Involved
New parishioners are contacted by a parish representative from their area through the Welcoming Ministry. The parish regularly invites new volunteers for Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Music Ministry, Outreach, and the Altar & Rosary Society. Several ministries note ongoing or urgent needs for additional volunteers.
- Welcoming Ministry contacts new registrants
- Ongoing need for Altar Servers and Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors and Ushers always welcome
- Music Ministry contact: Marianne Barnas
- Altar & Rosary Society open to all women of the parish
Family of Parishes: Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community (#33)
St. Joseph's belongs to Family of Parishes #33, the Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community, established by the Diocese of Buffalo to share clergy and resources among neighboring parishes. The family has historically included St. Mary's in Arcade & East Arcade, St. Aloysius in Springville, and St. Joseph's in Holland; a later diocesan listing also names St. Jude in Sardinia and St. John the Baptist in West Valley. Fr. Daniel J. Fawls serves as pastor with Rev. Jozef Dudzik as senior parochial vicar.
- Pastor: Rev. Daniel J. Fawls
- Senior Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jozef Dudzik
- Deacons: Jeffrey Foster, Richard F. Maciewicz
- Sister parishes: St. Mary's Arcade & East Arcade, St. Aloysius Springville
- Parish Family Office: 716-592-2701 (Springville) / 585-492-5330 (Arcade)
- Office hours: Monday and Thursday 9–2 at St. Mary's Arcade; Tuesday 9–2 at St. Aloysius Springville
Visit, Contact & Accessibility
St. Joseph's is located at 46 North Main Street, Holland, NY 14080-9509, on Route 16 about 25 miles southeast of Buffalo. The church is handicap accessible through the front doors (with parking in the north driveway), and the downstairs parish hall is accessible through the back doors off the parking lot. The parish bulletin, business office, and parish family office have separate emails, and the parish maintains a library and pamphlet rack at the north entrance of the church hall.
- Address: 46 North Main Street, Holland, NY 14080-9509
- Phone: 716-592-2701 / 585-492-5330
- Email: [email protected] (parish), [email protected] (Parish Family Office), [email protected] (Business Office)
- Handicap access through front doors (north driveway parking) and back doors off the parking lot
- Library and pamphlet rack at the north entrance of the church hall
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Klimek1924
Appointed by Bishop William Turner to organize the Holland congregation as an independent parish; arranged loans from the Bank of Holland to purchase and remodel the Zaph property. First Mass in the parish church: October 5, 1924.
- Rev. Vincent Cyman1930
Guided the parish through the early years of the Great Depression.
- Rev. Bronislaus KowaleskiJanuary 1937 – 1954
His parishioners paid off the parish debt; when he was transferred to St. Barbara's in Lackawanna in 1954, the property was worth over $32,000 with a building fund above $10,000.
- Rev. William E. 'Bill' WendzikowskiJune 2, 1954 – February 1964
Began publishing the weekly St. Joseph's Parish News and grew the building fund. Transferred to St. Florian's in Buffalo.
- Rev. James J. 'Jim' Dyrek1964 – 1979
Led the building of the current church (groundbreaking June 1965, first Mass May 1, 1967, dedication May 19, 1968). Died shortly after celebrating First Friday Mass on July 6, 1979.
- Rev. William Warduntil September 2, 1979
Succeeded Fr. Jim; Holland was without a resident priest from September until November 2, 1979.
- Rev. Msgr. Stanley H. Klein
Appointed by Bishop Head, but resigned for personal reasons a few days later.
- Msgr. Matt Wendzikowski
Nephew of Fr. Bill Wendzikowski; first pastor of the parish to be elevated to monsignor (1993); celebrated his 50th anniversary of priesthood on February 21, 2009. Added the Olean Road cemetery, oversaw sanctuary renovation and new carpeting (January 2010), launched the Generations of Faith program.
- Rev. Dennis Fronczak
Appointed pastor upon Msgr. Matt's retirement.
- Rev. Thaddeus Swertz, C.S.C.
Temporary administrator appointed by Bishop Head.
- Rev. Daniel J. Fawlspresent
Current pastor of the Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community / Family of Parishes #33.