History of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and School
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Origin of St. Vincent de Paul Parish
In 1939, Bishop Byrne decided to alleviate the crowded conditions in St. Anne’s Parish by splitting off its southern section to create St. Vincent de Paul Parish. A 1.9-acre site was chosen on Bellaire (now Holcombe) Boulevard. The first pastor, Father Michael Leahy, dedicated the completed church and rectory in February 1941. Due to ill health, Father Leahy retired that summer and was replaced by Father Dennis Connolly.
St. Vincent de Paul School OpensIn September 1943, the school opened with four temporary classrooms, 165 students, and four teachers from the Congregation of Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Sisters. By the end
of 1943, the parish prided itself in completing the nucleus of the parish spiritually, educationally and socially. In 1944, a 3.5-acre tract behind the church was purchased and the school was expanded. In 1948, a two-story building, now the Intermediate Building, was constructed.
The years from 1950-1960 were a period of major construction. St. Vincent’s acquired additional property along Buffalo Speedway. A parish-wide effort to raise money for construction of a new church, rectory and additional school facilities began.The church was completed and dedicated in December 1943. The rectory was completed in 1956 and the gymnasium, cafeteria and adjoining primary school buildings were finished in 1958. The old rectory was moved from Bellaire to the patio and renovated in order to house the sisters who taught in the school. The former church became a parish activity center.
St. Vincent’s Experiences Rapid GrowthSt. Vincent’s first lay Principal was appointed in 1973. Msgr. Dexter George became the Pastor of the church in 1975. The school elected its first School Board in 1981.
Monsignor James Jamail became the Pastor in 1985. The parish began a capital campaign in 1989 to build and renovate the parish facilities. A new middle school/ library, scout house, maintenance building and administration building were constructed and all parish buildings renovated by the close of 1992.The parish family center was added in 1996. To meet the need for updated technology education, in 1998 the gymnasium’s stage area was transformed into a computer lab.
"Building Faith, Knowledge & Spirit"
During 1999, the parish renovated the church to expand seating and to provide a new baptismal area and gathering space. These projects were completed and dedicated in December 2000.
Following Monsignor Jamail’s death in May 2002, Bishop Fiorenza appointed Father John Weyer as pastor. The middle school and library expansion, funded primarily by PTO efforts, was completed in 2004. Carolyn Sears joined the school as principal in 2006. Today, St. Vincent de Paul Parish has grown to include over 4,000 families. The school retains 54 faculty and staff members and enrolls approximately 500 students.
In 2009, Monsignor Bill Young became the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul parish and moved forward on the plans adopted by his predecessor. A capital campaign was initiated in 2011, which lead to the expansion and updating of the gymnasium and cafeteria, as well as strengthening technology throughout the parish and school.
In 2012, due to structural problems, the foundation of the church was repaired, and the interior renovated. By the spring of 2013, construction was completed along with improvements made to the athletic field.In 2013 a new cafeteria, named Tiger Cafe, was completed and added to the beauty of the school. In 2015 the formerly known Scout House was renovated to create a Fine Arts building to house the Music, Band, and Art departments.
