The preaching of missions played a major role in the lives of the Oblate who were sent abroad during the Founder’s lifetime. In 1853, Fr. Rooney, the Pastor of St. John’s Parish in Plattsburgh New York, located in the Northern part of the State, seeking to respond to the spiritual needs of the French-Canadians who had settled in the area, sought a Mission from the Oblates. In June of 1853 three Oblates, Fathers Jean-Pierre Bernard, François Toussaint Rouisse and Joseph Royer were sent to preach the Mission that was, interestingly, conducted in a wooden Universalist church building, which had been rented for the event for the sum of $100.00.

The two-week Mission brought to light the tremendous pastoral needs of the French-speaking population of the area. It is reported that, during that two-week period, in addition to preaching and celebrating Masses, the three Oblates heard 1,600 confessions, blessed or validated 40 marriages and administered 250 baptisms.

Plattsburgh, Rectory and Church (AD)

Following the Mission, the French-Canadians of the area sent a delegation of 25 to Montreal to prevail upon the Oblates to return and establish a permanent residence in their “American Village”. This request was supported by Bishop McCloskey, the Bishop of Albany, who later became the Cardinal Archbishop of New York.

The request was discussed in the July 7, 1853 meeting of the Provincial Council in which it was judged worthy of a favorable response. Among the reasons in its favor were: the evident need to tend to the spiritual needs of an already large population which was destined to grow; its proximity to Montreal (merely 55 miles, as opposed to the Buffalo mission which was 315 miles away); the request to also minister to the Catholics in nearby Redford, thereby justifying the sending of two Oblates and the future possibility of also assuming the care of the English-speaking Church which would guarantee the opportunity for regular community life and sufficient work. An agreement was signed between the Oblates and the Bishop of Albany on July 28, 1853

Barely three months after he had been there as part of the preaching team, Fr. Bernard arrived in Plattsburgh on August 28, 1853. He was soon joined by Fr. Sallaz. The first center of worship for the newly erected French-speaking community in Plattsburgh was none other than the Universalist Church, which had been rented for the Mission in June.

The building of a church was begun almost immediately, but had to be suspended when the harsh winter set in. Though the winter conditions made it impossible to continue construction, the transportation of the needed materials to the site, by sleigh, continued throughout the winter months. Construction was completed in the Spring of 1854 and on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, 1855, the Church, dedicated to St. Peter, was consecrated by Bishop Guigues, o.m.i. Records show that in 1856 there were 150 first communicants and in the following year, 1857, five hundred were confirmed by Bishop McCloskey.

Visits conducted by the Oblates during their first winter in the Plattsburgh area brought to light that there were two hundred Catholic families in Plattsburgh itself and four hundred families in the outlying regions where the Oblates also tended to the spiritual needs of the faithful.

The Oblates’ hope to one day minister also is St. John’s Church (the Irish church) in Plattsburgh became a reality in 1860. Following the death of Fr. Rooney, who had first invited the Oblates to Plattsburgh, the parish was staffed by another diocesan priest who had to be replaced after a short period of time. On June 1, 1860, Fr. Molony was named the first Oblate Pastor of the Parish, a post that he maintained until 1879, when he was transferred to Buffalo.

Upon Fr. Molony’s transfer to Buffalo in 1879, the Bishop of Ogdensburg, (which had been erected in 1872), Bishop Edgar P. Wadhams, D.D., decided that the care of the St. John’s would revert to the diocesan clergy. The Bishop claimed that such had been the agreement, an understanding contested by the Oblate Provincial, Fr. Antoine, o.m.i. When the parishioners petitioned that the Oblates remain, the Bishop agreed on the condition that Fr. Molony would return as pastor, a condition that was unacceptable to the Oblates. During his tenure as pastor a new church had been built for St. John’s Parish. The Oblates continued to staff St. Peter’s in Plattsburgh until c. 1990.

It has been mentioned that part of the original agreement between the Oblates and the Diocese of Albany was that they also respond to the needs of the Catholic community of Redford on a monthly basis. Fr Sallaz was placed in charge of this mission where the first Baptisms were administered on September 4, 1853. The Oblates, who oversaw he construction of a new church, consecrated on August 15, 1854 continued to minister in the Redford Church until 1869. During their time in Redford, the Parish register indicates that the Oblates had baptized 1,425 children and/or adults and officiated at 206 weddings.

From 1853 to 1869 the Oblates were also responsible for the Catholic community of Dannemora where the State Prison was located. During their sojourn there the Oblates oversaw the building of first a Chapel and then a Church, which was consecrated by Bishop Guigues, o.m.i., in 1862. In addition to serving the needs of the parishioners, the Oblates also served as prison Chaplains in Dannemora.

The Oblates of Plattsburgh also served the neighboring communities of Cadyville, until 1878, Morrisonville (until c.1883), Neap City (until c. 1883), Schuyler Falls until 1886 and Rand Hill until 1884.

Hank Lemoncelli, o.m.i.