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In 1868 Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church was founded with land donated by Dr. William Keating. The name of the church was in
honor of his daughter. The church and rectory were wooden buildings common in Smethport during that period. Bishop Tobias Mullen dedicated this building, April 25, 1876. The first priest assigned to this church was Rev. Richard Flood (served from 1874-1876).
On December 23, 1904, Saint Elizabeth Church burned to the ground, along with the rectory. Father Patrick Cosgrove (1899-1905) was pastor at this time. The Christmas Mass, just a day later, was held in a large building on Mechanic and King Streets. Everyone in Smethport came to the aid of Saint Elizabeth's. Other churches in the area had dinners and all kinds of social activities and it became a community project to rebuild our church.
On April 10, 1906, excavation was started and on July 10, 1906 the cornerstone (above) was laid. Many of the names you find on the stained glass windows today were the people who donated money and gave much of their time to construct the new church buildings. Among them are several Civil War veterans from the area.
Under the leadership of Father James Dugan (1905-1914), "The New" Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church was dedicated on July 10, 1907. It was a beautiful new brick building large enough to hold the growing number of new members. The visiting clergy, members and guests were very impressed to see the large white altar and hear the sounds of the new pipe organ. (A gift, in part, from Andrew Carnegie.)
In the 1930's improvements were made in the basement area. By 1950, a real need was felt to increase the space for social activities and catechetical classrooms, so again the basement of the church was totally remodeled.
In the early 2000's, the church purchased nearby land and build a handicap accessible entrance and parking lot.
In the fall of 2013, ground was broken and a new parish hall constructed connected to the accessible entrance and parking lot. This hall is completely accessible and provides a gathering space, kitchen, and restrooms for our growing parish. The new hall was dedicated April 27, 2014, exactly 107 years after the first Mass was held in the church built in 1907.
As we look back on Saint Elizabeth's history, it is the people working together that have made it what it is today and what it will be in the future.
Chronological Listing of Priests who have served Saint Elizabeth Parish, Smethport, Pennsylvania
Historical photos of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish.
Learn more about St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish past by visiting these resources
Visit the Planet Smethport Project - a project of the Smethport Hamlin Memorial Library.
Smethport History Website has more information about the church's early days in Smethport. Some of the information has not been recently updated, however the history of the fire and early church building is interesting.
<------ Click on image at left to visit the Saint Elizabeth portion of their site.
Historical Information supplied by Eileen McKean.
History of St. Elizbeth of Hungary
In 1868 Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church was founded with land donated by Dr. William Keating. The name of the church was in
honor of his daughter. The church and rectory were wooden buildings common in Smethport during that period. Bishop Tobias Mullen dedicated this building, April 25, 1876. The first priest assigned to this church was Rev. Richard Flood (served from 1874-1876). On December 23, 1904, Saint Elizabeth Church burned to the ground, along with the rectory. Father Patrick Cosgrove (1899-1905) was pastor at this time. The Christmas Mass, just a day later, was held in a large building on Mechanic and King Streets. Everyone in Smethport came to the aid of Saint Elizabeth's. Other churches in the area had dinners and all kinds of social activities and it became a community project to rebuild our church.
On April 10, 1906, excavation was started and on July 10, 1906 the cornerstone (above) was laid. Many of the names you find on the stained glass windows today were the people who donated money and gave much of their time to construct the new church buildings. Among them are several Civil War veterans from the area.
Under the leadership of Father James Dugan (1905-1914), "The New" Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church was dedicated on July 10, 1907. It was a beautiful new brick building large enough to hold the growing number of new members. The visiting clergy, members and guests were very impressed to see the large white altar and hear the sounds of the new pipe organ. (A gift, in part, from Andrew Carnegie.)
In the 1930's improvements were made in the basement area. By 1950, a real need was felt to increase the space for social activities and catechetical classrooms, so again the basement of the church was totally remodeled.
In the early 2000's, the church purchased nearby land and build a handicap accessible entrance and parking lot.
In the fall of 2013, ground was broken and a new parish hall constructed connected to the accessible entrance and parking lot. This hall is completely accessible and provides a gathering space, kitchen, and restrooms for our growing parish. The new hall was dedicated April 27, 2014, exactly 107 years after the first Mass was held in the church built in 1907.
As we look back on Saint Elizabeth's history, it is the people working together that have made it what it is today and what it will be in the future.
Chronological Listing of Priests who have served Saint Elizabeth Parish, Smethport, Pennsylvania
Historical photos of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish.
Learn more about St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish past by visiting these resources
Visit the Planet Smethport Project - a project of the Smethport Hamlin Memorial Library.
Smethport History Website has more information about the church's early days in Smethport. Some of the information has not been recently updated, however the history of the fire and early church building is interesting.
<------ Click on image at left to visit the Saint Elizabeth portion of their site.
Historical Information supplied by Eileen McKean.