LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of St. Ann's
Church of Staten Island, New York

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
100th Anniversary of St. Ann's Parish of Staten Island, New York; and
WHEREAS, The founders of St. Ann's Church in Dongan Hills drew upon
the spirituality of St. Ann as they began serving in the parish in 1914;
from the very beginning St. Ann's has been intimately linked with the
families of the community whose spiritual needs it serves; and
WHEREAS, Father Joseph G. Murray was the first Pastor of St. Ann's
Church; during this time, Mass was held in a stable located on the Fair
Grounds on Richmond Road which is now the site of the Berry Houses;
services were later moved to the Seaver's barn also located on Richmond
Road; and
WHEREAS, In July of 1917, Father Joseph A. Farrell was appointed as
St. Ann's second Pastor; he searched tirelessly for a suitable and
accommodating site for a permanent building for the Church, finally
purchasing a house and land in 1920 on the present corner of Jefferson
Street and Cromwell Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Work on the new Church began almost immediately after the
purchase of the property, and the cornerstone was laid in 1922; on
August 26, 1923, the first baptism took place in St. Ann's Church new
location; and
WHEREAS, The interior of the Church was graced by a beautiful marble
altar which was imported from Italy along with two side marble altars;
the original stained glass windows in the church remain today; and
WHEREAS, Father Terence McNulty, Pastor from 1926 until 1937, was
responsible for building the rectory, and in May of 1946, Monsignor
Christopher J. McCormack began his 23 year tenure as Pastor of St. Ann's
Church; and
WHEREAS, As expansion and growth continued in Dongan Hills, the people
of the parish requested Monsignor Christopher J. McCormack to build a
parish school; on September 12, 1955, Saint Ann School was established
and staffed by the Presentation Sisters; and
WHEREAS, The renovation of St. Ann's Church following the Second Vati-
can Council was undertaken by Monsignor William J. Ward; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1980s, while Monsignor Vincent Clyne served as
Pastor, a new cafeteria was added to the school; pre-school, which was
being run in a rented facility, came to have its own building in 1993,
under the Pastorship of Father Lawrence T. Quinn; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, under the guidance of Father John Steven Kostek, St.
Ann School underwent a major renovation to bring a technologically
modernized facility to the children; in addition, a partial renovation
of the church was undertaken in 2009; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Father Joy Mampilly,
Pastor since 2010, St. Ann's Church stands humbly, prayerfully, medita-
tively, and joyfully; and
WHEREAS, St. Ann's Church stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the upcoming decades while retaining
that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of St. Ann's Church of Staten Island,
New York, fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Father Joy Mampilly, St. Ann's Church, Staten Island, New
York.