Diamond jubilee being celebrated in Johnstown

"We had a lot of physical work, along with spiritual work, that had to be done," said Rev. Joseph DiMaggio, pastor since 1977. "The people are warm, friendly and very understanding."

Originally a mission of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Gloversville, Immaculate Conception was established in 1924 for Johnstown's Italian-speaking residents. Rev. Dominic Ottaviano, pastor of the Gloversville parish, purchased property on Cayadutta Street in Johnstown and celebrated Mass in a renovated house.

Leadership

After four years, Father Hickey resigned due to illness, and Rev. Francis Schatzlein served as administrator until 1932.

Two years after Rev. Henry Burke became pastor, fire destroyed the frame building that had been renovated into Immaculate Conception Church. The 165 families who belonged to the parish were devastated but managed to raise enough money to rebuild, and ground for the present church was broken in 1936.

Bishop Gibbons dedicated the Gothic stone church at Warren and Cayadutta Streets in March 1937, with Rev. William Lenahan officiating as acting pastor and Father Ottaviano delivering the sermon.

Growth

Father McKeon was pastor from 1945-55, during which time the Rosary Society contributed money for an Italian marble altar with a specially carved panel of the Last Supper.

Stained glass windows and new pews were added when Father Lamanna was pastor from 1957-67. He also initiated construction of the parish hall, which was dedicated in 1959 and is used for religious education classes, parish meetings and social events. A plaque honoring Father Lamanna's memory was placed on the front of the hall in 1967 following his death.

Father Mosconi was installed as Immaculate Conception's pastor that year by Father Ottaviano, who had baptized him and trained him as an altar boy at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Gloversville. During Father Mosconi's years as pastor, new additions to the church included an oak altar, improved lighting system, carpeting and bells.

Changes

An Immaculate Conception Shrine has been built during Father DiMaggio's time; the statue was imported from Italy, and the base is made of the same granite used for the church.

The religious education program "is on solid catechetical ground," Father DiMaggio said, and Sister Susan Wieczynski, RSM, oversees faith formation for the Johnstown Cluster parishes of Immaculate Conception, St. Anthony's and St. Patrick's.

Father DiMaggio ministers to 300 families at Immaculate Conception and has been Catholic chaplain at Hale Creek Correctional Facility in Johnstown for the past 10 years. He visits inmates every afternoon, celebrates Mass each Saturday and meets with family members visiting their loved ones, none of which would be possible without the support of Hazel Lewis, Hale Creek superintendent, he pointed out.

Immaculate Conception began celebrating its 75th anniversary year on Dec. 8, the feast of its namesake, with the blessing of its doors and adopting of the Jubilee Year 2000 theme, "Open Wide the Doors to Christ," as parishioners worshipped in their repainted church for the first time in a month.

Future

A committee has met at each of the three parishes to plan for Father DiMaggio's retirement, and he thinks that Catholics in Johnstown should all worship in one new church before long.

"My vision is to have one church built to work for the greatest honor and glory of God," he said. "With this [merged] parish, we can respect each other's cultural and social backgrounds." He has asked parishioners if they know of anyone who owns property that could be used for a new church.

For now, Immaculate Conception will continue celebrating its 75th anniversary, and Father DiMaggio is happy to be part of it. "My time here has been good, and the people have been very good to me," he said.

(Immaculate Conception will have a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at 2 p.m. on June 11 with Bishop Howard J. Hubbard as celebrant and Father DiMaggio giving the homily. A reception will follow in the parish center.)

(06-08-00) [[In-content Ad]]