In 1853, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated in the Mad River Valley for the first time. For an altar, Fr. Jeremiah O’Callaghan used a large flat rock in a pasture on South Hill in Moretown, Vermont (pictured above).

Father O’Callaghan was the first priest assigned to care for the spiritual needs of Catholics in Vermont. He was sent to Vermont in 1833 by Benedict Fenwick, Bishop of Boston. At that time, the Diocese of Boston included the entire state of Vermont.

During the 1920s, a granite marker was placed on top of the “altar rock” to commemorate the first Mass celebrated in the Mad River Valley and Father O’Callaghan.

A close-up view of the “altar rock” and its inscription.

Sometime in 1993 or 1994 the Most Reverend Kenneth A. Angell, Bishop of Burlington visited the Mad River Valley and the site of the first Mass celebrated in the Valley.

Pictured here are the Reverend Kevin E. Rooney, pastor of our Lady of the Snows Church and its mission, St. Patrick Church, Jennette Fecteau, Bishop Angell and Evelyn Goss.

Father Bernard W. Bourgeois, pastor of Saint Andrew’s Parish and Our Lady of the Snows and Saint Patrick Parish at the “altar rock”. The picture was taken on May 23, 2003. (Photo by Pat Gore, Vermont Catholic Tribune)

Our Lady of the Snows Church: View of Sanctuary from the left aisle

Our Lady of the Snows Church: View across the church from left side to right side

Our Lady of the Snows Church: View of sanctuary and left side of church as seen from right side

Our Lady of the Snows Church: View down the center aisle from the altar

Our Lady of the Snows Church: View of front of church as seen on entering the front door

Our Lady of the Snows Church: inside looking toward the entrance

Our Lady of the Snows Church: tabernacle

Our Lady of the Snows Church: outside
 

Our Lady of the Snows Church 2004

The pictures below were taken on October 23, 2004 and reflect some minor modifications to the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Snows Church which were recently completed. The modifications include:

• removal of the altar rail
• modification to the shape of platform on which the altar stands
• a new rug for the sanctuary
• the font was moved away from the rear wall giving it a more prominent position
• the ambo has been moved forward several feet
• improvements and additions to sanctuary furnishings

Richard Bergeron and Susan Anderson preparing the sanctuary for 6:00 pm mass on October 23rd.

NEW ORGAN AT OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS CHURCH

A new Allen Organ Model ADC-221 was installed in Our Lady of the Snows Church on November 3, 2004. It replaces a venerable Hammond Model C-3 organ which has been in service since the church was dedicated in 1964.

Saint Patrick Church: Ordinary Time

Saint Patrick Church: Solemnities and Octaves

Saint Patrick Church: View from the presidential chair

Saint Patrick Church: Front door

Sunday Mass at Saint Patrick’s Church in 1944 on an occasion when the statue of Saint Anthony was dedicated.

Land for Saint Patrick Cemetery was donated to The Catholic Society in 1841 by J. P. Miller of Montpelier and Frank Lee and Peter Lee as the site for a church and graveyard.

The gate to Saint Patrick Cemetery on South Hill Road in Moretown, Vermont.




 

During his visit to the Mad River Valley, the Most Reverend Kenneth A. Angell, Bishop of Burlington visited the historic site. Pictured above are Ozzie Goss, Father Kevin E. Rooney, Bishop Angell and Jennette Fecteau.

The cross in the picture marks the site of the first Saint Patrick Church built in 1857. The cross is no longer exists.

Francis (Frank) Lee was on of the donors of the original site for the church and cemetery.



Daniel Hassett was an original member of Saint Patrick Parish and played an important role in arranging for the acquisition of the site for the new Saint Patrick’s Church built in 1882 in what was then called “Moretown Hollow” on Vermont Route 100B.