History of the Annunciation

In 1865, the original Annunciation parish was formed by 60 Irish families led by Rev. Peter F. Sullivan. These families, jaded by the German speaking church of Saint Boniface, requested permission to form an English speaking catholic church in Williamsport. Doebler Hall was utilized as the first venue of the Annunciation church. Father Sullivan later purchased land on the corner of Edwin and Walnut streets to establish a permanent home for the parishioners of the church. Members were upset that they weren't informed of the purchase of the land and the building of the church. Bishop Wood transferred Father Sullivan and razed the building (1).

Baptismal font

The newly appointed Father Michael P. Stack convinced members that they should take advantage of the land purchase and build their church on it. The church construction began in 1867. Soon after construction was finished, Lycoming County became part of the diocese of Scranton. The head of the diocese, Bishop O'Hara was forced to remove Father Stack from his position because he was incapable of managing the financial affairs of the church. Father Stack countered by renouncing his priesthood and suing Lycoming County for possession of the church. The courts found in favor of the Bishop. This ruling established the precedent that all Catholic property is that of the diocese and not the church's head priest (1).

Altar with a carved depiction of last supper

Peter Herdic donated the land where Annunciation now resides on the corner of West Fourth and Walnut streets. Father Garvey built this church along with the convent, a rectory, St. Joseph's Academy, and the thirteen-acre Mt. Carmel cemetery (2). The original design included a towering steeple, which was intended to rise higher than the steeple of Trinity Episcopal Church, but was never completed due to the death of four construction workers. In the beginning stages of construction, scaffolding around the work site collapsed sending four workers plunging 65 feet to their deaths on August 31, 1887. Following the accident, the steeple was capped off and a cross placed on top in memory of the fallen workers. Ironically, three of the four men were members of St. Boniface Church, the same church the original families of Annunciation were from (2). Another of Father Garvey's additions were the 43 stained glass windows. Each window represents people and symbols from the catholic faith (3).

Both altars and Tiffany window depicting ascension

After Father Garvey departed, Father John Costello took his place. He too, was very interested in the guise of the Church. He oversaw the construction of St. Joseph's School. The same facility stands today. The wooden altars were ripped out and replaced with altars and railings of Italian Carara marble. He also enhanced the church's grandeur with the addition of the marble statues that still adorn the edifice. Accentuating the altar is a Tiffany window depicting the Ascension of Christ purchased by Father Costello himself (4).

During the construction of the original church, a tin box was placed in the cornerstone to be opened at a later date. During the epoch of Costello, so to speak, the cornerstone was opened. The box inside was found corroded by watery substances from the regurgitated waters of the Susquehanna. Found within were contents so badly marred that they were barely legible. The lock box contained copies of the New York Freeman's Journal, the Catholic Register, the Catholic Standard and a hand written note. After deciding to encapsulate a new box within the cornerstone, extra precautions were taken to ensure the longevity of the new copper box (4).

Stained glass window of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Bridget, St. Rose of Lima, St. Patrick

Father Costello died in 1931 and was replaced by Father Leonard. Father Leonard's crowning achievement was the purchase of the convent and present day rectory. The previous convent was transformed into a science center. He led the church for ten years before taking Pastor Emeritus status due to ill health (4).

Father Frank P. McHugh next took the reins as head pastor of the Annunciation. During his tenure, he remodeled the rectory, convent, and school. Father McHugh went on to become the first Monsignor of the Williamsport area. Before retiring in 1969, he completed the interior decorations of the church and had the Odell organ rebuilt and modernized (4).

Monsignor Joseph Shaughnessy was next to be assigned by the Bishop to Annunciation. His leadership skills were greatly appreciated during the major reconstruction of the Catholic Church because of Vatican II. Due to these improvements, the interior of the church had to undergo physical changes in accordance with new practices. The altar was installed and other various parts of the church were renovated as well (4).

Outside view of church showing capped off steeple

After spending the first five years of his pastoral life in Montoursville, Monsignor William J. Fleming arrived at Annunciation. His additions to the Annunciation community had immense effects. He constructed the parish center, which is now used as a home for Sunday school as well as dinners and a social gathering place. The construction was interrupted, however, due to a rectory fire in 1975. He restored this building and made improvements to all other church buildings. The interior as seen today was completely repainted and marbleized. The entire area surrounding the altar was converted from wood to marble. The cornerstone from 1925 was opened and inside was found four Indian head pennies, an envelope from the Humelstown Brownstone Company, a statement of information letter from Samuel Larrivee, a letter from the church committee, a picture of the brownstone work, and a 1925 Grit with an article about Annunciation's renovations. The Parish Center was renamed after Monsignor Fleming in 1997 (4).

Front view of Church

Today, the head pastor is Father John Manno. Since he took over in 1998, he's worked to trigger ecumenism. He looks to involve all of the people of the community, Catholics as well as non-Catholics, in the church. Using his knowledge of youth relations, he was able to bring many young adults back into the involvement of the parish. Perhaps the fact that he drives a Harley and lived in New York City contributes to his success with the youth. To involve church members in the concerns of the church, he created a Parish Council along with many other committees to encourage participation (3).

The true test of the success of the church is the members. Thousands of people attend mass every weekend. As for the many renovations undergone by the church, the results have made it one of the most beautiful churches in the area.

4. Sauers, Andrew. History. 12 Jan. 2002 <http://www.annunchurch.org/history1.asp>