Welcome to
the website of St. Mary’s Cathedral, mother church of the
Diocese of
Ogdensburg. As the 13th Bishop of Ogdensburg, it is indeed a
pleasure to introduce you to the jewel that is the Diocese of Ogdensburg and
its magnificent Cathedral! The Diocese of Ogdensburg, also referred to as
the North Country of New York State, geographically comprises one
quarter of the state. It borders the Dioceses of Syracuse and Albany on its
southern extent, Canada on its northernmost boundary, and Vermont on its
east. In addition, the western boundary of the diocese is formed by the
mighty St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.
The roots of the Catholic faith in the North Country stretch much further
back than the foundation of the Diocese of Ogdensburg on February 16, 1872,
and the subsequent appointment of Bishop Edgar P. Wadhams as the First
Bishop of Ogdensburg and the selection of St. Mary’s Church on Franklin
Street to be the first cathedral. The seeds of faith were sown by early
French missionaries, including Sts. Isaac Jogues and René Goupil, along with
other names that illustrate the rich history of northern New York: Father
Simon Le Moyne, Father Peter Joseph Chaumonot, Father Claude Dablon, and
Abbe FranÇois Picquet, founder of the La Presentation Mission in 1748, and
subsequent site of the City of Ogdensburg.
We are a faith family with a rich history, and we invite you to explore a
significant part of that history: the Cathedral Parish of St. Mary. After a
devastating fire destroyed the first St. Mary’s Cathedral in November 1947,
plans were formulated immediately to build a new Cathedral. In a letter to
the faithful of the diocese on the First Sunday of Advent 1947, Bishop Bryan
J. McEntegart wrote, "Therefore, relying on the all-powerful help of God, we
shall go forward to erect a new St. Mary’s. No effort will be spared to make
our new Cathedral a worthy expression of the faith of this parish, a glory
to the city of Ogdensburg, and a lasting tribute of loyalty to God from the
Catholics of the entire diocese." On October 22, 1952, the new St. Mary’s
Cathedral on Hamilton Street was consecrated, in great part due to the
tireless efforts of members of both the parish and diocesan families.
We invite you now to learn more about us, and this historic church, through
this website. It is but a small indication of what takes place in the
Diocese of Ogdensburg. Even better, come and visit us in the North Country.
You are always most welcome at St. Mary’s Cathedral where we hope you will
experience the loving embrace of Ecclesia Mater Nostra…the Church, Our
Mother.
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