Historical Sketch:

The material contained in this historical sketch has been provided through the research efforts of John F. Johnston, Sr., born in the parish shortly after the first church was erected.

A Foundation of Faith

The strength of St. Gregory the Great Parish is a testament to the faith and spirit of those who have come before. Hopefully, in learning about the church's history, and witnessing God's work in action, we can better learn to serve God in the present day, as new circumstances bring about new challenges.

1890's

Catholics in the Harrison area are served by priests from New Rochelle, Mamaroneck and Rye Parishes. Mass is offered in an old frame firehouse (which ironically burns down in 1921).

March 7, 1900

The Archbishop of NY, Michael A. Corrigan, with his Vicar General, Msgr. John M. Farley, executes the Certificate of Incorporation for the Roman Catholic Church of St. Gregory the Great, Harrison, NY.

March 21, 1902

Through funds raised from an anonymous layman, the mission church of St. Gregory the Great is erected on the corner of Halstead Avenue and Featherbed Lane.

October 27, 1902

St. Gregory's holds its first ladies fair (the "Grand Ladies Fair") to raise funds. Descendants of the ladies who head the committees of this fair still live in the area today (the Murray, Shea, Harris, Comerford, Strothkamp and Conners families).

April 30, 1911

St. Gregory the Great achieves parish status. Father O'Sullivan is appointed Pastor.

June 26, 1915

A fire ravages the church just after midnight. Father O'Sullivan, bedridden with a severe illness, finds the strength to enter the sanctuary and bring the consecrated hosts to a place of safety.

October 22, 1915

Father O'Sullivan dies.

1915 - 1918

Because the interior of the church is almost completely destroyed, renovations to repair the church are undertaken by Father O'Sullivan's successors: Father James Hughes (dec. January 14, 1917) and Father Patrick Carey (dec. April 10, 1918).

March 24, 1918

Father William S. Prunty is appointed Pastor. Conversant in several languages, he succeeds in obtaining considerable cooperation to complete the repair to the church from the ethnically varied community. These talented workers produced a perfect replica of the interior of a 15th century European country church. Visitors come from surrounding counties to admire its beauty.

1918 - 1932

The Parish community grows under the Pastorship of Father Prunty, but not without its unpleasant circumstances. Each time a parish fair is planned, large crosses are burned in the neighborhood. Father Prunty reacts strongly to these tactics and forces an investigation to identify those responsible.

1932

County authorities decide to widen Halstead Avenue. The plans call for removal of the church. Father Prunty mobilizes the men's club of the parish, and through marches and protests at Town Hall, the officials agree to Father Prunty's terms.

July 2, 1934

The church is razed and plans for the development of a new modern church begin. Hand-cut stones from the razed church are used in the foundation. Plans called for a lower and upper church of Romanesque style. The contract is awarded to Joseph Bisceglia and Sons of Harrison (members of the Bisceglia family are still parishioners today).

July 1934 - May 1935

As the lower church is built, services are conducted in the Harrison American Legion Hall, a place donated by Harrison's Town Government.

October 1935

Bishop Stephen Donahue blesses and dedicates the newly renovated church.

1935 - 1951

The parish continues to grow under the Pastorship of Father Prunty, a man of considerable wit and good humor. He is aided by his assistants, Father Krug and O'Connor, and when they are reassigned, Father's Laffin and McNulty. Many in the parish today can testify to their dedicated service.

1951

Father Prunty dies. Cardinal Spellman appoints Msgr. Edward Dargin as his successor. Soon after his installation, he starts a fund-raising program to build a parish school and convent.

1953

The school of St. Gregory the Great is dedicated, with Sister Josita of the Sisters of Charity as Principal. Succeeding Principals include Sisters Perpetua, Tomas and Amy. The school opens in September with kindergarten, first and second grade classes. Msgr. Dargin is elevated to Bishop.

1961

The upper church is completed.

1973

Bishop Dargin retires as pastor. Cardinal Cooke appoints Msgr. Vincent Lonergan, a former Navy Chaplain as Pastor.

1980

Msgr. Lonergan dies. Msgr. Joseph Raimondo is appointed Pastor. A former Army Chaplain in WWII, and pastor of St. Clare of Assisi in the Bronx at the time of appointment, Msgr. Raimondo (St. Gregory's first Italian Pastor) immediately puts the spirit of the second Vatican Council into action.

In an effort to bring people closer to the priests in the celebration of the Eucharist, the main altar is moved closer to the congregation, and some of the altar rail was removed to make access to Communion easier. Baptismals are moved from the rear of the church to the main altar. Additionally, to increase the spiritual and lay participation in the growth of the parish, the Parish Council is formed.

September 1981

The Sister's of Charity transferred school responsibilities to the Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, and Sister Mary John O'Rourke, R.U. assumed the post of Principal. Sisters Eileen Gallagher and Virginia Greaves arrived with her to care for the children enrolled in the religious education programs for public school students.

1987

Sister Mary John O'Rourke resigns to accept another assignment. Maria Gaudelli, a teacher at St. Gregory's School, is appointed Principal.

1989

Msgr. Raimondo reaches mandatory retirement age; Cardinal O'Connor appoints Msgr. Daniel Flynn as Pastor. Msgr. Flynn served as a professor for 23 years at Dunwoodie, closing his tenure with the title of "Academic Dean." As Pastor of St. Gregory the Great, he moves to acquaint himself with the functions of the various church societies and his recommended actions for their future service to the parish are implemented.

1991

Several parish plant improvements are made (heating, lighting, church organ, etc.) as a result of a successful parish fund-raising campaign.

September 1, 1995

Maria Gaudelli retires as Principal of the school, and is replaced by Debra Trignani. Maria is appointed Religious Education Coordinator, replacing Sister John Marie (who retired).

September 1, 2001

Msgr. Francis J. McAree became Pastor of St. Gregory's.

May God grant us the strength and courage to continue the rich tradition of the parish, by enabling us to serve the needs of those around us.