The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

This story is a follow-up to Wednesday’s post on the history of St. Augustine’s Parish’s first church. Over the years the parish had grown from 250 to over 1,000 families. The nearly 100-year-old old church was deteriorating. By the early 1980’s a new church was needed. Architects estimated its cost at $800,000. 

Paul Calkins and Paul Green chaired the fundraising committee. More than 100 volunteers made home visits in the fall of 1980. When Paul Calkins passed away on November 17, 1980, the parish dedicated the large hall at St. Augustine’s School (today’s St. Augustine’s Parish Center) to his memory. 

Tracy-Trombley Construction of Plattsburgh was the general contractor for the new church. Several St. Augustine’s parishioners were associated with Tracy-Trombley, including owner Michael Trombley and Larry and Art Senecal, who worked on the church and placed its cornerstone.

The Church Planning Committee conducted its first meeting on May 29, 1979, and its last meeting on January 20, 1981. It consisted of Rev. Clyde Lewis, Rev. Bruce Favreau, James Aloi, Paul Calkins, Donald Chauvin, Donald Craig, Fred Curtis, Ed Dienst, Stella Dienst, Betty Hughes, Stanley Hughes, Joseph Kelley, Bill Kivett, Charles Light, Michael Martin, Barbara Matott, Roy McGee, Bill McNeil, Tony Papero, Curtis Shipman, Anne Torrance, Michael Trombley, Lynn Wilke and Angie Zerrahn. Committee members poured their hearts and souls into planning the church. Father Clyde Lewis looked after every detail.

• Spring, 1981-Paul Calkins Memorial Hall completed; old church razed. Mass was conducted in Calkins Hall while the new church was being constructed.
• June 2, 1981—Groundbreaking for the new church.
• December 24, 1981—First Mass in new church.
• August 22, 1982—750 parishioners and friends observed the Most Rev. Stanislaus J. Brzana, Bishop of Ogdensburg, bless and dedicate the new St. Augustine’s Church.

Photo credit to Marilyn McNichols.

Click here to view construction and dedication photos.