By Colleen Miner
Staff writer

Gabriels – Bishop Terry R, LaValley presided at a centennial Mass at the Church of the Assumption Aug. 14, the eve of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Father Mark Reilly, pastor, con-celebrated.

The Church of the Assumption's history can be traced to Bishop Henry Gabriels, the second bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, who sought the Sisters of Mercy to care for the sick suffering with tuberculosis in the Adirondack area. The Sisters established a Sanatorium around 1895.

For more than 20 years, Mass was offered either at the Shrine at the Gabriel's Sanatorium or in the hall over Riley's apartment house. On September 2, 1911, the Parish of the Assumption was formally established by the Diocese of Ogdensburg, with Irish Immigrant Father. Richard O'Donnell serving as the first pastor from 1911-1919.

Subsequent pastors were Father Augustus Dumont (1919-1936); Father Donald Gallagher (1936-1944); Father Joseph Heslin (1944-1945); Father Skelly (1945-1946); Father Thompson (1946-1950); Father Frank McMahon (1950-1972) Father Albert Plante (1972-1976); Father Peter Ward (1976-1981); Father Patrick Mundy (1981-1993); Father  Joseph Trombley (1993-2000); Father Francis Flynn (2000-2002); Father Thomas Kornmeyer (2002-2010) and, since 2010, Father Reilly.

At the centennial Mass, Mercy Sister Carolyn Madden represented the order who ministered to countless sick who ventured to the Adirondacks for the cure of fresh air.

In his homily, Bishop LaValley said, "The practice of mercy reveals the face of God to the world...We remember the Sisters of Mercy who heroically served those suffering from tuberculosis." Bishop LaValley added that "while this building is made from field stone, timber and stucco, it is by the grace of God nurtured by you and your loved ones that continues to build up this house of faith."

The day also included a pig roast and picnic for parishioners of the Churches of the Mountains and Lakes (from Saranac Lake, Bloomingdale, Lake Clear and Gabriels) Also, a 4 p.m. gathering inside the Church of the Assumption included Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction. The vigil office of the Solemnity of the Assumption was accompanied by the all-parish bell choir.

Photos by Colleen Miner

The Church of the Assumption in the Adirondack community of Gabriels was incorporated Sept. 2, 2011; the church was built in 1922. Today, Assumption is a mission of St. Paul’s Church in Bloomingdale.

Church of the Assumption parishioner Michele Tucker  composed the musical arrangement for Te Deum which was sung by the centennial choir as the post-communion hymn. Seated is Michele Tucker and standing,  Lou Ann Douglas, Marie-Aymee Fisk, Sister Rita Mawn, Barbara Marshall, Marta Tebbitt and John Miner