About St. Mary · Bolivar, New York
St. Mary is a small Catholic faith community in Bolivar, Allegany County, New York, historically served as part of the Catholic Communities of South Eastern Allegany County under the Diocese of Buffalo. The parish has long provided a local place of worship for residents of Bolivar and surrounding rural communities. In 2024, the Diocese of Buffalo announced that St. Mary would merge with Immaculate Conception Parish in Wellsville and that the 111 Wellsville Street church building would close and be sold as part of a broader reorganization. While active Masses were still being offered in recent years, parishioners are now being directed to Immaculate Conception in Wellsville and other regional worship sites.
- Patron
- Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Closure and Merger
In September 2024, the Diocese of Buffalo announced final decisions for the Southern Tier East Vicariate 'Road to Renewal' plan. St. Mary, Bolivar was designated to merge with Immaculate Conception, Wellsville, and its church property at 111 Wellsville Street is to be closed and sold.
- Merged into Immaculate Conception Parish, Wellsville
- Church building and property slated for sale
- Part of broader Allegany County consolidation affecting Scio, Almond, Andover and other communities
Historical Snapshot
Local historical records document St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bolivar by 1941, and a 1971 newspaper notice listed Rev. Leon Neu as pastor with weekend Masses offered.
- 1941 photograph in Allegany County Historical Society archives
- 1971 pastor listed as Rev. Leon Neu
- Served the Catholic community of Bolivar and surrounding rural areas