Bishop Bonnici celebrated a picture perfect mass, Our Lady of the Valley shined
Photo journal by Drew Golden, Follow The Golden Lens on Facebook
It was a historic day in the city of Hornell as Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Hornell capped off its 175th Anniversary Jubilee of St. Ann’s Church Celebration with Bishop Bonnici celebrating mass in The Maple City.
After mass a celebration luncheon was held where Assemblyman Phil Palmesano and Senator Tom O’Mara were present to speak and deliver proclamations from New York State.
A beautiful and long history of the church in Hornell started off with humble beginning: First meetings for services in the 1840s in the area around Webb’s Crossing. A small parish building was then erected at the corner of Buffalo and Cass St in 1849. The current church has stood at the corner of Erie Ave and Elm Street being completed in 1889.
The current parish encompasses over 450 square miles of the Southern Tier and includes the churches of St. Ann and St. Mary’s. Masses are celebrated at both St. Ann’s Church in Hornell, and St. Mary’s Church in Rexville.
Many in Hornell have attended St. Ann’s school over the many decades since it was founded in 1863 having fond memories of their time there. When the school closed in 2012 the St. Ann’s academy was opened in 2013.
The parish remains a pillar to the local community and has several faith based groups.
Mass times are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 1210PM and Saturday at 430PM and Sunday masses are held at 645AM and 1045AM.
