The History of Sacred Heart Church of Chazy, NY

     In the early accounts of history, the territory which is currently served by Sacred Heart Church of Chazy New York, was serviced by the church at Coopersville, New York.  The church at Coopersville embraced a large part of this part of New York State at that time.  Sacred Heart was incorporated July 30, 1898, with the articles of incorporation signed by His Excellency, Henry Gabriels, Bishop of Ogdensburg; Rev. Thomas Walsh, Vicar-General; Rev. Anthime Constantineau, Pastor; and Newell Boudreau and George W. Richer as lay trustees.  Father Constantineau resided at Coopersville and served both parishes until 1899 when he was succeeded by Father Grannothier, who was Pastor of both parishes from January 1, 1899 until July 1899.
     Rev. Napoleon Bergeron became Pastor September 1, 1899 and served both parishes until April 27, 1907.  Father Bergeron first resided in Coopersville.  In 1901, land to be used expressly for church purposes was purchased from George Severance by Mitchell Baker and Newell Boudreau.

A brick church building was begun in Chazy Village for the Sacred Heart Parish, which was created in 1902 when the seat for the old St. Joseph's parish of Coopersville was transferred to the new church.  This change caused much dissatisfaction among the congregation.  It was soon realized that it was a good thing, as the seven mile trip to Coopersville was a hardship in the winter and in the spring, muddy roads made the trip very difficult.

 Horses and wagons were used in the summer and horses and cutters were used in the winter.  Frank Luck and Jedson Trombly were the first to break ground for this new church.  It was built by contributions because the rules of the diocese at that time stated there must be sufficient money on hand to complete the foundation before they could begin.
     When Sacred Heart Church was built in 1901, that part of the village was quite a wilderness.  Streets had not yet been defined and only a couple of houses were in that area.  Shortly after the church opened, large sheds were erected to shelter the horses of the congregation.  The rectory was also built in 1901, and none too soon, as the rectory in Coopersville burned in 1901.  Father Bergeron came to live in his new rectory in Chazy, and Coopersville thus became a mission of the Sacred Heart Parish.

On October 9, 1901, the church was formally turned over to Bishop Gabriels and dedicated by him.  Following the dedication ceremony, a solemn High Mass was celebrated by Father Chabot of Oregon, with Father Couchard of Sciota as deacon and Father Montrecil of Constable as sub-deacon.  Priests from Dannemora, Keeseville, Mooers Forks, Morrisonville, Redford and Coopersville were also present.  Father Bergeron was named Pastor of the new church.

 At the conclusion of the Mass, Mr. O.L. Trombly, one of the trustees, presented this church to the Bishop.  Bishop Gabriels concluded the acceptance of the church with the Papal Blessing.  Refreshments were served in the church basement.
     There were 12 stained glass windows, 6 on the east side of the church and 6 on the west side of the church.  10 of the windows were Memorial donations, and 2 were vacant.  the stained glass windows were donated by the following parishioners:
St. Martin by Mrs. Mary Minkler in memory of her family
St. Matthew by Mr. William Anderson in memory of his parents
St. John the Baptist by George Anderson in memory of his father
St. Anne by the married ladies of the parish
St. John given by the young men of the parish
St. Peter in the Glory of God given by Louis Brown in memory of his mother
St. Wilfred by Wilfred Artibee in memory of his parents
St. Anthony by Mrs. George Anderson in memory of her parents
St. Rock by Joseph Ratta in memory of his family
St. Luke by Mrs. Carrie Lazure in memory of Steven Lazure
     Though the church had a steeple, it did not have a bell.  The young men of the parish raised money to purchase the 800 pound bell, which arrived on September 8, 1902.  Another special ceremony was performed on October 3, 1902 by Bishop Gabriels because the bell was destined for divine worship.  It had to be purified, blessed and consecrated.  It was to be named and baptized.  The honor was given to 40 people selected by Father Bergeron.  Rev. Conroy, the rector of St. Mary's Cathedral in Ogdensburg gave the sermon.
     The stations of the cross, made in Toulouse, France and obtained from Florence, Italy, were given to the church by Mrs. Delphine Trombly.
     Mr. Albert Bocare gave the oak communion rail, Mr. Buckley of New York City gave the side altar and Mr. Deno, a non-catholic, gave the Sanctuary Lamp.
     On May 1, 1907, Rev. Victor J. Van den Hendee was appointed Pastor.  Father Victor, as he was commonly known by the clergy and the laity, had served previously in Malone and Standish.  Shortly after his appointment as Pastor, Father Victor purchased land for a cemetery which was blessed by Bishop Gabriels September 23, 1907.  The same year, the church was enlarged and a sacristy built.  In 1930, a large and modern church hall was built of cement blocks.  When the property was first purchased, it was little more that a swamp, but through the years it was drained, filled and leveled.  That is our current Parish Center.

The parish center was built for the use of the parish societies and the community in general.  The building was about 120 feet by 50 feet, and had a stage and a basketball court.  A large kitchen was extended to one side to serve parish suppers and Communion Breakfasts.  In 1963, Fr. Clarence Devan, then Pastor, remodeled the interior to make 4 classrooms for the religious instruction of the children of the parish.      An outdoor shrine of Our Lady of Grace was built and dedicated on October 3, 1961.  This beautiful shrine was donated by Sacred Heart CYO.  It is situated between the Rectory and the Church.

     In July 1967, the brick church was demolished to make way for a new modern A-frame church.  Father Clarence Devan, Pastor of Sacred Heart, sought advice and permission from Bishop Donnellan regarding a new church.

Mr. Jeremiah Oosterbaan was selected as the architect, Harbern Homes, Inc. was in charge of general construction, Hammond Lane Mechanicals was responsible for heating and plumbing, while electrical work was supplied by William Murray, Inc..      The total cost of the new church, including removal of the remains of the old church, was $221,000.  The entire cost of the church was completely paid for from savings.      During construction of the new church, Mass was celebrated in the church hall.      On June 2, 1968, Pentecost Sunday, the first Mass was said in the new church by Father Devan.  Later in the afternoon, Father John LaPierre, a newly ordained priest, said his first Mass in the church.

     A formal program dedicating the new organ was held on October 29, 1968.  Father Devan offered the dedicatory prayer.  John Uczen was the guest organist.  He was organist and minister of music at St. Patrick's Church in Syracuse.  He was Sacred Heart's former choir director and organist while he taught at Chazy Central Rural School.  During the recital, the Blessed Sacrament was removed from the church and applause were welcomed during the performance.
     The new church was dedicated by Bishop Stanislaus Brzana on November 24, 1968.  The church was blessed and the altar was consecrated.  Relics of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus were sealed in the altar.  Mass was celebrated by the Bishop, concelebrated by Father Devan and Father LaPierre.  More than twenty five area priests attended as well as a large delegation of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.  The choir was directed by Mr. Victor Fisher and Mr. Leon Gennett was the organist.  A dinner for invited guests was served in the parish center by the ladies of the Altar and Rosary, who also donated $1000 to purchase a baptismal font to match the marble altar.

Pastors/Administrators of Sacred Heart Church of Chazy New York

Rev. Anthime Constantineau	July 30, 1898 - December 31, 1898
Rev. Grannothier	January 1, 1899 - July 1899
Rev. Napoleon Bergeron	September 1, 1899 - April 27, 1907
Rev. Victor Van den Hendee	April 27, 1907 - 1936
Rev. Laurence Mallette	3 months in 1936
Rev. Msgr. James T. Lyng	6 months in 1936
Rev. Msgr. George Brisson	1937 - 1949
Rev. Edward Bernier	1949 - 1953
Rev. Patrick Thompson	1953 - 1955
Rev. Msgr. Clarence Devan	1955 - 1969
Rev. Harold McCabe	1969 - 1971
Rev. Philip Allen	3 months in 1971
Rev. Bernard W. Desnoyers	1971 - 1979
Rev. Joseph Trombley	1979 - 1983
Rev. Alan Shnob	3 months in 1983
Rev. Lawrence Marullo	1983 - 1984
Rev. Louis C. Gardner	1984 - 1998
Rev. L. William Gordon	1998 - Present

If anyone has information that may add to the history of our parish, please contact us.  Any information would be appreciated.