In 1868 forty of our pioneer families petitioned Bishop McQuaid for permission a parish in Ontario. Up until this time, Mass was held in various homes whenever a priest was available. In 1870 the first formal church was built on East Ridge Road. For forty five years, St. Mary’s was a mission church being served from the Assumption of Our Lady Church in Fairport and then from Holy Trinity in Webster. During this time, priests came to Ontario each Sunday by horse and carriage and later by trolley. In 1915 Msgr. Michael Krieg was assigned as the first resident pastor. Finally, in 1966 the new St. Mary’s of the Lake Church was built on Walworth Road. The small white church on East Main Street was closed after having served the parish for 96 years.   Information taken from an article written by Gertrude Doyle in 1957

 See also HS 08-025