Germantown parish marking its 75th year

On October 2, 1922, the Hudson Evening Register contained the following item:

"Property was bought by Bishop Gibbons two weeks ago on the state road, near the [Germantown] post office and the new bank, in the central part of the village. The price paid was $8,200. The site was obtained from Mr. Reuben Fingar, one of the trustees of the Lutheran church. A house which can easily be remodeled will be used as a rectory and temporary church."

Thus read the announcement that established Resurrection parish in Germantown, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary next weekend along with its mission, the Church of the Nativity in Linlithgo.

Values rise

Until the founding of Resurrection parish, Catholics in the Columbia county town had to travel to either St. Sylvia's church in Tivoli (since closed) or St. Mary's in Hudson. Having a parish of their own caused the local newspaper to speculate that real estate values in the area would rise, and Catholics would buy up the potentially lucrative fruit farms around the church.

Seven-and-a-half decades later, Resurrection parish still covers an area bordered by the Hudson River in the west, the Greenport town and Dutchess county lines in the north and south, and Route 9 in the east.

Its Nativity mission opened in 1924, and although the 300-family parish swells with the arrival of seasonal visitors each summer, the parish still boasts of the "feeling of belonging" that pervades its small churches. Active groups include a religious education program with an enrollment of about 100 children and a folk group choir.

Celebrations

Resurrection parish will celebrate its anniversary with a card party; a youth Mass followed by refreshments, games and prizes; a Mass with Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, followed by dinner at a local restaurant; and another Mass with the folk group choir. The parish will also hold a formal dinner dance.

(Resurrection parish's anniversary Mass with Bishop Hubbard will be held on Oct. 26, 6 p.m. For information, call 537-6136.)

(10-16-97)