Our Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church
A Brief History
The Reverend Thomas E. Carroll of Rockville Centre celebrated the first Roman Catholic Mass on Christmas Day, 1895, at the home of William Dougherty. Two years, later, when parishioners had increased to 75, the Reverend Patrick Fitzgerald had charge of the mission. In 1899, the Reverend William Farrell of Hempstead, began celebrating mass at Willis Hall on Main Street. The original church, located where the parochial school now stands, was completed in 1900. The parishioners increased the church’s property by purchasing the surrounding land. During the pastorate of Reverend Charles A. Logue (1902-13) a site for the new church was acquired. The first portion of the present edifice at Ocean Avenue and Pine Street opened on Easter Sunday 1911. This church was built by the firm of Lee and Hewitt in the Romanesque style and cost $80,000. It was built by Irish immigrant bricklayers. Later, Our Holy Redeemer Catholic School, a convent, and a rectory, were built.
OHR Timeline: 1840 to 1993
1840 – First known Catholic mass in what is now Nassau County was offered in Uniondale by Rev James O’Donnell from St. Paul’s in Brooklyn. There were four adults and three children in attendance
1850 – Land purchased to build St. Brigid’s in Westbury
1856 – St. Patrick’s dedicated in Glen Cove
1858 – Rev. James McEnroe of St. Patrick’s became the “circuit-riding priest”. His territory included Freeport
1888 – First Catholic came to Freeport. Catherine Fox Stevenson came from Co. Cavan, Ireland and worked for George Wallace
1895 – Approximately 18 Catholics were living in Freeport (source: Freeport Long Island Illustrated, 1907). The parish originally formed part of the mission of Rockville Centre
1897 – December 25, 1897 – First Catholic services held in Freeport at the home of William Dougherty on Fulton Street. At some point, these services were discontinued (source: Freeport Long Island Illustrated, 1907)
1898 – (Spring) Sunday school services began in the home of James Hagerty (source: Freeport Long Island Illustrated, 1907)
1898 – Winter - Mass resumed again at Village Hall (source: Freeport Long Island Illustrated, 1907)
1898 – About 75 Catholics lived in Freeport (source: Freeport Long Island Illustrated, 1907)
1899 – November – Rev. William B. Farrell of Hempstead was placed in charge of services in Freeport (source: Freeport Long Island Illustrated, 1907)
1899 – November - Services begins at Willis’ Halll located on South Main Street until June 1900 (source: Freeport Long Island Illustrated, 1907)
1900 – January 6, 1900 – first recorded baptism conducted by Rev. William B. Farrell (Pastor of Hempstead) for Pierre Louis Noel (source: 1900 OHR History Binder)
1901 – September 22, 1901 – first recorded Catholic wedding in Freeport (Francis O’Brien and Mary Flanagan with Father Zimmer officiating) (source: 1900 OHR History Binder)
1902 – Rev. Charles A. Logue transferred from Our Lady of Loretto, Hempstead to Freeport. He became the founding pastor of OHR (source: 1900 OHR History Binder) Logue was born June 10, 1868, ordained June 29, 1893, and died September 24, 1913
1902 – The Parish had about 117 members (source: 1900 OHR History Binder)
1907 (July, 1907) The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul began a “Fresh Air Home” in the Woodcleft Inn.
1908 – December 5, 1908 – Our Holy Redeemer incorporates. Signatures on incorporation document include:
Charles Moore – Notary
Charles McDonnell, Bishop
Patrick McNamara, Vicar General
Charles Logue, Rector
Bernard Loonan, Lay Trustee
Charles Connor, Lay Trustee
1910 – Father Logue argued against the reading of the Bible and/or religious services taking place in the public schools. (South Side Messenger. 21 January 1910, p. 4)
1910 – July 17, 1910, Church corner stone laid
1910 - June 10, 1910 - Contract for organ signed. Cost: $4,100. Organ company: Reuben Midmer & Sons (93-97 Steuben Street). Contract said that the organ would be complete by November 1 and have a wind pressure of 4 inches and the pitch would be international (source: OHR Binder 1910)
C1910 – Stained glass windows may have come from Emil Zundel, located in Hollis (source: OHR Binder 1910)
1911 – April 7, 1911, Church construction complete
1911 – April 16, 1911 First High Mass celebrated (Easter)
1911 – June 11, 1911, Church dedicated by Bishop McDonnell. The exterior of the church remained the same for the next 50 years. The interior was not completed in the lifetime of Father Logue
1912 – Parish had approximately 1500 members (source: 1900 OHR History Binder)
1913 – Father Logue announced his intention of building a Catholic school after the Freeport Public Schools had a baccalaureate service in a Protestant church (three Catholic students were in this class) (Nassau County Review. 2 May 1913, p. 5)
1913 – Father Logue dies
1913 – Father John L. O’Toole becomes pastor of OHR until 1935
1919 – Marble for the walls and pilasters came from Ital-American Marble Company (Christopher Street, Brooklyn) and cost $1,650 (source: OHR Binder 1910)
1924 – Permission granted by the Bishop to build a parochial school. The contract was awarded to the John Eisele Co. for $186,000
1927 – Marie Kelley graduated OHR. She was the first parishioner to enter religious life (Dominican Sisters of Amityville)
1924 – Original wood church moved to Hart Avenue in Roosevelt. It became the church of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary parish (source: 1900 OHR History Binder)
1935 – Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Mahon becomes pastor. He serves as pastor until 1959
1959 – Rt. Rev. Msgr. Eugene J. Crawford becomes pastor. He serves as pastor until 1976
1976- Rev. Kenneth Knee becomes pastor until 1980
1980- Rev. Saverio C. Mattei becomes pastor until 1988
1988 – Rev. Matthew Leavy becomes pastor until 1993
1993 – Richard Figliozzi becomes pastor
