About St. Stephen. Our Lady of Peace Parish. · Geneva, New York
Our Lady of Peace Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Geneva, New York, formed in 2007 by the amalgamation of the historic parishes of St. Francis deSales (founded 1832) and St. Stephen's (founded 1904). It operates as one incorporated parish with two church sites — St. Francis deSales Church on Exchange Street and St. Stephen's Church on Pulteney Street — plus an associated chapel (St. John's Chapel) on South Main Street used for a Sunday Mass during the HWS (Hobart and William Smith Colleges) academic year. Daily Masses are celebrated in the Our Lady of Peace Chapel, and the parish belongs to the Diocese of Rochester. The parish is also home to St. Francis-St. Stephen School (preschool through grade 8) and St. Mary's and St. Patrick's Cemeteries.
- Established
- 1832 (St. Francis deSales); 1904 (St. Stephen's); 2007 (Our Lady of Peace Parish)
- Patron
- Our Lady of Peace (patroness of the combined parish); St. Stephen and St. Francis deSales (patrons of the two constituent church sites)
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas P. Mull
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester (parish listed in the diocese's Pastoral Services Directory; located in the Central Deanery covering the Finger Lakes region)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Peace welcomes new members into a parish family that combines two historic Geneva worship sites — the limestone-and-stained-glass Gothic St. Stephen's on Pulteney Street and St. Francis deSales on Exchange Street — with daily Mass in the Our Lady of Peace Chapel, weekly Spanish Mass at noon, Saturday confession, perpetual adoration (see bulletin), a Catholic school, and a faith-formation program in English and Spanish. Live-streamed Masses on Facebook and YouTube extend the parish to those who cannot attend in person, and the parish bulletins and ministries offer many ways to serve, from the music ministry under Director Ronald Trunzo to faith formation for children preparing for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation.
Mass times at St. Stephen. Our Lady of Peace Parish.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 noon at the Our Lady of Peace Chapel
- Saturday: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. at St. Francis deSales Church
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel at St. Stephen's (24 hours / 7 days a week — see bulletin for current schedule of any changes)
- Adoration details listed weekly in the bulletin per the diocesan directory
About Our Lady of Peace Parish
Our Lady of Peace is one incorporated Roman Catholic parish with two worship sites in Geneva, New York, part of the Diocese of Rochester. Its mission statement commits parishioners to be visible signs of Christ's presence among one another and to the surrounding community — proclaiming the Gospel, witnessing to God's love according to Roman Catholic teaching, ministering to the needs of all, and fostering spiritual growth. The parish combines the longtime Catholic heritage of St. Francis deSales (dating to 1832) and St. Stephen's (organized 1904).
- St. Francis deSales Church: 130 Exchange Street, Geneva, NY 14456
- St. Stephen Church: 48 Pulteney Street, Geneva, NY 14456
- St. John's Chapel: 630 South Main Street, Geneva, NY 14456
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Phone: 315-789-0930 · Fax: 315-781-1985
- General email: [email protected]
Parish History
The two Geneva churches that make up Our Lady of Peace each have histories stretching back more than a century. St. Francis deSales Parish was the original Catholic community of Geneva, with its cornerstone laid in May 1832 and church dedicated in October 1834. St. Stephen's was carved out of St. Francis deSales in 1904 to serve a growing Italian-immigrant population, celebrated its first Mass on July 3, 1904 in the 'Old Dutch Church,' and dedicated its present Gothic church on September 1, 1912. A Parish Pastoral Plan in 1998 formally linked the two parishes under one staff; in 2007 the new parish, Our Lady of Peace, was incorporated.
- 1832 — St. Francis deSales cornerstone laid (then 'St. Peter's Church of Geneva')
- 1834 — St. Francis deSales first dedication
- 1864 — Construction begins on the present (enlarged) St. Francis deSales church
- 1904 — St. Stephen's Parish incorporated; first Mass in the 'Old Dutch Church'
- 1910 — Ground broken for present St. Stephen's church
- 1912 — St. Stephen's Church dedicated (Rt. Rev. Thomas Hickey)
- 1965 — Fire heavily damages St. Francis deSales, later repaired
- 1995 — Perpetual Adoration Chapel opened at St. Stephen's
- 1998 — Parish Pastoral Plan links the two parishes under one staff
- 2000 — St. Stephen's named one of five diocesan Jubilee Year pilgrimage churches
- 2007 — St. Francis deSales and St. Stephen's formally amalgamated into Our Lady of Peace
St. Stephen's Church: Architecture and Treasures
St. Stephen's is a Gothic-style limestone church with two square towers, a tile roof, and an interior of stone and Ohio pressed brick. Master woodcarver Isaac Kirchmayer of Oberammergau created the hand-carved woodwork, and the oak Rood Beam bears the inscription 'Christum Regem Crucifixum Venite Adoremus' ('Come let us adore Christ our crucified King'). The parish commissioned Frederick Wilson of Briarcliff Manor, New York, to paint 'The Martyrdom of St. Stephen' for the central reredos, and the Stations of the Cross came from the Joseph Sibbel Studio in New York.
- Style: Gothic with two equal square towers
- Exterior: limestone with tile roof
- Interior: stone and Ohio pressed brick
- Hand-carved woodwork by Isaac Kirchmayer of Oberammergau
- Center reredos painting 'The Martyrdom of St. Stephen' by Frederick Wilson
- Stations of the Cross from the Joseph Sibbel Studio, New York
- Four sanctuary statues of the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
- Twelve pillars representing the Twelve Apostles, each carved with its own symbol
- Large 'Tree of Jesse' stained-glass window above the main entrance
- Total 1912 construction cost: $108,000 (plus $25,000 for rectory/convent property)
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation at Our Lady of Peace is a two-year proximate preparation beginning in the fall of a student's eighth-grade year, including at least 25 hours of classroom instruction each year, opportunities for retreat, and a service component. Evaluation for readiness to celebrate the sacrament attends to all components; regular attendance at Holy Mass must be an essential part of the program. Sponsors must be fully initiated Catholics (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) who have completed their sixteenth year; sponsors from outside the parish must provide a letter of suitability from their own pastor (Policies for the Administration of the Sacraments, Bishop Salvatore Matano).
- Two-year proximate preparation beginning 8th grade
- 25 hours of classroom instruction each year plus retreat and service
- Ready by completion of immediate preparation year
- Contact: Donald Cass, Faith Formation Office, 315-781-2624
Faith Formation / Religious Education
Our Lady of Peace runs parish Religious Education programs for children whose families are not enrolled in the parish school, with separate registration forms in English and Spanish. The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis publishes a 'Family Zone Newsletter' to help parents continue Faith Formation at home. The parish also publishes 'Creating A Safe Environment' materials and a Volunteer Code of Conduct, in line with diocesan safe-environment policies.
- Registration forms available in English and Spanish
- Religious Education Office: 30 High Street, Geneva, NY 14456
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Donald Cass — 315-781-2624 — [email protected]
- Catechetical Leader: Carlene Yunits — 315-781-2624 — [email protected]
- Family Zone Newsletter (Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis)
- Safe Environment training and Volunteer Code of Conduct required
Parish Services: Mass Intentions, Memorials and Candles
Parishioners and friends may request Mass intentions at either church for a $10 suggested offering, plus Memorials (suggested $5 minimum) and Sanctuary Candle intentions ($10 each) at the churches, Our Lady of Peace Chapel, or the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. The parish also welcomes new members with a registration card, available at the Parish Office (130 Exchange Street) or by mail.
- Mass intentions: $10 suggested donation
- Memorials: $5 minimum
- Sanctuary candles: $10 donation
- New-member registration cards at 130 Exchange Street or by mail
- Volunteer office help (parish mailings, occasional duties)
Catholic School: St. Francis–St. Stephen
St. Francis–St. Stephen School, located on the St. Stephen's campus, was created when the schools of the two Geneva parishes merged in the early 1980s. It serves preschool through eighth grade, sharing the close-knit Catholic identity of both parish sites.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- Principal: Suzanne Pohorence — 315-789-1828 — [email protected]
St. Mary's & St. Patrick's Cemeteries
The parish operates St. Mary's and St. Patrick's Cemeteries, linked directly from the parish homepage. Cemetery administration is handled through the parish office.
- Cemetery Administrator: Betty Ann DiFederico — 315-789-7180 — [email protected]
Parish Staff and Clergy
Our Lady of Peace is led by a pastor, parochial vicars, and a deacon, supported by a strong lay-staff team across liturgy, faith formation, finance, school leadership, cemetery administration, and parish communications.
- Rev. Thomas P. Mull — Pastor (ext. 106; [email protected])
- Rev. George Bastedo IV — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Rev. Carlos Sanchez — Parochial Vicar (also referenced via 'Father Carlos' homily link)
- Deacon Robert Cyrana ([email protected])
- Suzanne Pohorence — Principal, St. Francis–St. Stephen School
- Daniel Hofford — Regional Finance Director (ext. 112)
- Betty Ann DiFederico — Cemetery Administrator
- Ronald Trunzo — Coordinator of Music / Director of Music Ministries (ext. 109)
- Donald Cass — Faith Formation Coordinator
- Carlene Yunits — Catechetical Leader
- Patti Costello — Administrative Assistant (ext. 601)
- Joanne Church — Bulletin editor (ext. 108)
Giving and Online Stewardship
Our Lady of Peace offers online giving through the OSV (Our Sunday Visitor) hub, with the option for one-time or recurring donations and the ability to give to second collections. Members may also include their time-and-talent information on the parish registration card to help connect parishioners with ministries.
- Online Giving: https://www.osvhub.com/ourladyofpeacegeneva/funds
- Time-and-talent section on the parish registration card
- Stewardship ministry listed under website menu
News, Events and Communication
Parish news is shared through the weekly printed bulletin (available at the doors of each church) and through the parish website's News & Events page. A new YouTube channel streams the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass and major parish events, while daily Mass is livestreamed on Facebook. Fr. George's weekly homily is referenced as a standing feature of parish communications.
- Weekly bulletin (Weekend publications; submissions due two Mondays ahead)
- YouTube channel search: 'Our Lady of Peace Geneva, NY'
- Daily Mass livestream on Facebook (OurLadyofPeaceGeneva)
- Fr. George's Weekly Homily
- Minister Schedule (April–June published on website)
- Diocesan Census Information available
Diocese of Rochester — Central Deanery
Our Lady of Peace is listed in the Diocese of Rochester's Pastoral Services Directory and falls within the Central Deanery, which covers the Finger Lakes tourist region. The diocese serves twelve New York State counties with seven deaneries and a Catholic population of roughly 300,000, across Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, Steuben, Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Chemung, Tioga, and Yates counties.
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
- Deanery: Central Deanery (Finger Lakes)
- Diocesan headquarters: 1150 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William A. McDonald1890–1904+
Pastor of St. Francis deSales who enlarged and beautified the church (new altars, pews, pulpit, confessionals, stained glass, Stations of the Cross); selected and purchased the Pulteney Street site for St. Stephen's in 1904 and said the first St. Stephen's Mass there on July 3, 1904.
- Rev. Stephen McPadden1904–
Assistant at St. Francis deSales; first pastor formally named for the newly incorporated St. Stephen's Parish.
- Rev. Thomas Hickey1907?–1912+
Broke ground for the new St. Stephen's in May 1910, laid the cornerstone July 1911, and dedicated the completed church on September 1, 1912 (Rt. Rev. Thomas Hickey officiating).
- Rev. James McManus1858–1890
St. Francis deSales pastor who began construction of the present church in 1864; total cost about $30,000; Cardinal McCloskey presided at a later dedication.
- Monsignor Gerard Kriegby 1995–
Opened the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at St. Stephen's in 1995 in what had been an auxiliary sacristy and choir rehearsal room; people from many areas came 24/7.