The First 50 Years

1952 – Land is acquired by the Diocese of Buffalo at Harris Hill Road and Main Street.
1954 – Bishop Burke appoints Rev. Phillip Schwier as the first Pastor of the newly formed Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish.
1954 – June 6 – The first Mass is celebrated in a large tent borrowed from the United German and French Roman Catholic Cemetery.
1955 – May 21 – Groundbreaking takes place for the combined church and school (the current school building).
1955 – December 4 – The first Mass is held in the new church in what is now Schwier Hall.
1956 – September 5 – Nativity School opens its doors for grades K through 6.
1959 – June 21 – The first class graduates from Nativity School.
1959 – A new wing is added to the school.
1964 – May 17 – Groundbreaking takes place for the new church.
1965 – November 14 – The first Mass is celebrated in the new church.
1967 – December 11 – The rectory is completed.
1971 – April 19 – Fr. Schwier passes away.
1983 – Fr. Magner retires.
1983 – August – Msgr. Raymond Paa is appointed as the new Pastor of Nativity by Bishop Head.
1984 – The parish commences the “Immediate Action Drive”.
1985 – The mortgages on all parish buildings are burned!
1985 – The RENEW faith enrichment program begins.
1995 – Msgr. Paa receives the Cure’ of Ars Award.
1996 – An $800,000 capital campaign to refurbish the church and school begins.
1999 – The newly renovated church reopens for the Easter Sunday Masses.
2003 – October 31 – Msgr. Paa retires after 20 years of service as pastor. He remains at Nativity as Pastor Emeritus.
2003 – Msgr. Frederick D. Leising is appointed as Pastor of Nativity by Bishop Edward Mansell.
2005 – The Wedgewood Room is rededicated as the “Monsignor Paa Social Center”.