1844
The first Catholic event takes place in Cooperstown when Fr. Michael Gilbride preaches in the Baptist Meeting House
1847
Portion of the See of New York is declared the Diocese of Albany. The Rt. Rev. John McCloskey becomes its first Bishop. Fr. Gilbride offering the very first Mass in September at the home of a James McNally
1849
Fr. M.B. Constantine is assigned to serve Cooperstown and surrounding area Catholics. 1849-1850
1850
Fr. M.C. Kenny replaces Fr. Constantine. 1850-1852 It is during his pastorate that the first church is constructed
1851
The first Catholic church edifice is built on Susquehanna Avenue near the corner of Elm Street.
1852
Father Jonathan Furlong is Pastor from 1852 – 1855
1855
Rev P. Fitzpatrick is Pastor from 1855 – 1860
1860
Rev William Carroll is Pastor from 1860 – 1863
1862
About two acres of land are purchased at the west end of town for a cemetery (the Irish Hill Cemetery)
1902
The final portion of the church’s mortgage and floating debt is paid
1905
The side galleries are removed.
The Gothic top over the sanctuary is installed and the woodwork within the church is completely refinished
1905
Inside St Mary’s Church – Newly Renovated
1909
Rev. Michael Mooney was pastor 1909-1914
1915
Annual lawn feis, very popular for a time, are being held for the first time. Rev. John C. Carey was pastor 1915 – 1919
1917
Francis King of Hartwick Seminary is ordained, celebrating his first Mass on June 29.
The Holy Name Society is organized
1919
Two of the Tyrolese stained-glass windows (nearest the altar, one on each side) are installed
1919
Rev Crowe was pastor from 1919 – 1933
1920
The Index Cemetery land is purchased
1926
The Index Cemetery is first used
1928
The confessional at the rear of the church is installed
2000
Fr John P. Rosson is appointed on 21 June 2000 and installed as Pastor on 8 September 2000, Nativity of Mary, with 10 priests concelebrating Mass of Installation. Fr. Jeffrey Sturmer, Diocese of Buffalo, preached the homily at Installation
2000
Capital Campaign – “Together in Faith” is launched with a St. Mary’s goal of $307,000 to be divided 60/40 between Diocese and parish
2000
Dec 3rd , St Mary’s WebSite www.stmaryscoop.org is created
2001
May 19th, 2001 First Communion with Father John P. Rosson
2001
October 26, 2001 Special Blessing for a Firefighters newborn at the Mass with NYC Fireman from the World Trade Center Disaster
2001
October 2001 – Parish Mission entitled “Symbols of Faith” with Father Kevin MacDonald CssR
2002
Father John R. Sise died March 19 2002. He served as pastor of St. Mary’s for twenty-two years from 1970-1992. Fr. Sise was buried from St. Mary’s, Saturday, March 23rd after being waked in the Church