St. Joseph Parish, Gowanda, New York, is a Roman Catholic parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, located in the rural Western New York Village of Gowanda, in the county of Erie (1-7). The physical address of St. Joseph Church and Rectory is 26 Erie Avenue, however the Church is located at the corner of Erie Avenue and East Main Street (2-4). The Church was built in 1957, with Auxiliary Bishop Leo Richard Smith laying the cornerstone in 1958 (2,4) . The beginnings of St. Joseph Parish, however, started in 1855, with the original church being built from 1887 (8) to 1889 at a slightly more western location on Erie Avenue (2, 4, 5). Holy Cross Cemetery, which is part of the Parish, was deeded in 1884 (2, 4, 5, 8). The former St. Joseph School, located at 71 East Main Street, is also associated with the Parish; it was opened in 1925 and closed in 2014 (2, 4, 9). Today, St. Joseph Parish is led by Rev. Joseph D. Porpiglia (3); and serves the residents of Gowanda, Persia, Dayton, Perrysburg, Collins, and other surrounding areas (2, 4, 6).
Mission of St. Paul of the Cross Parish
In 1855, there were four Roman Catholic families living in the Village of Gowanda (2). At that time, Rev. Pamphilius, a Franciscan friar, celebrated religious services with the families, having traveled there from Ellicottville (2). Rev. Pamphilius performed religious services at the home of Daniel Hurdley (2).
In 1861, St. Paul of the Cross Parish of Dayton was established by the Passionist Fathers from Dunkirk (2). By 1867, services were being held in Peter Rink’s Hall on Buffalo Street in Gowanda (2). Peter Rink’s Hall was located above his store in the Village of Gowanda (2). Approximately sometime in the 1870s, Rev. J.H. Leddy began performing religious services at Rink’s Hall (2). In the latter part of the 1880s, religious services were moved to the home of William Kennedy (2).
Establishment of Holy Cross Cemetery
In 1884, Rink donated $200 to the Church for purposes of purchasing one acre of land to establish a Catholic cemetery (5). Another source reports that Rink donated the actual land for the cemetery (2). On October 10, 1884, such land on a hill near the Church and just east of the village, was deeded (2, 5). It was named Holy Cross Cemetery (2, 5), and is located on Cemetery Hill Road in Gowanda (10), next to Pine Hill Cemetery (11), which is a Protestant cemetery.
Construction of St. Joseph Church
For the construction of the new church on the west side of Erie Avenue, a building committee was formed (5). The Building Committee included Peter Rink; Joseph Nabor, Jr.; William Kennedy; William Smith; Cornelius Collins; Peter Freeman; and Henry Salzler (5). Construction of the Church occurred from 1887 to 1889 (5). Rink provided monetary assistance in the building of the Church (5). Since the completion of construction on the early church, priests recorded to have served there in the 1880s and 1890s were Rev. O. Hogenforst; Rev. J. Wilber; Rev. John Nash; Rev. Adolph; Rev. Daly; Rev. Thomas Harrack; and Rev. John Tracey (5).
Church Founding in 1898
St. Joseph Church was founded in 1898 (2, 6). At the time of its founding, it was still considered a mission of St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Dayton (2). St. Paul’s also served Roman Catholics in both Perrysburg and Cattaraugus at that time (2). In 1898, Rev. John Tracey, the pastor of St. Paul’s, transferred his residence from Dayton to Gowanda, making St. Joseph Church the center of the parish (2, 6). Services at St. Joseph Church were then held each Sunday and on holy days (2). The reason that Tracy transferred to Gowanda was due to the large influx of immigrants to the area for industrial work (2, 6). European immigrants of Slovenian, Polish, and German descent moved to the area, providing a workforce for the newly built factories in the area (2, 6). The increase in population of the area necessitated Tracy’s move so that religious services could be centralized in Gowanda (2, 6).
Rev. P.J. Enright was assigned to St. Joseph Parish and Church in 1900 (2). Materially and spiritually, he built up the Church (2). Enright enlarged the Church, and “was instrumental in having the wooden tower and bell from” St. Paul’s in Dayton placed in St. Joseph Church (2). The bell has been maintained by the Parish, and is presently in the former school building (2). The year 1920 saw Rev. J.E. Rochford become pastor of the Church (2).
Opening of St. Joseph School in 1925
On September 8, 1925, the school that is associated with the church and parish, St. Joseph School, opened (2, 4, 5, 9). A High Mass was celebrated to mark the opening of the School (2). The Franciscan Sisters of Stella Niagara provided services to the Parish, Church, and School, beginning in 1925 (2, 5, 9). They lived at a Catholic convent on Erie Avenue (5). Sisters Fidelis and Elma (also identified as Sister Alma) taught 54 students in the School at its opening (2). In 1928, an auditorium was opened in the School (2). By that time, there were eight grades of students in the School, all of which were led and/or taught by five resident Sisters of the Order of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity of Stella Niagara, New York (5). Later, a cafeteria and library were created for the School (2).
Continued Parish Growth
The 1930s witnessed continued growth of the Parish (2). New organizations for religious involvement by women were established, including the Society of the Holy Name and the Daughters of St. Joseph (2). At this time, Rev. Henry Shaw was pastor, being followed by Rev. Patrick Tobin (2). Because the size of the Parish outgrew the Church, services were moved to the auditorium in the School, with the first Mass being celebrated there on December 17, 1940 by Monsignor John J. Nash (2).
In the 1940s, the Parish, Church, and School continued to grow (2). The Mother’s Club was formed through the Church during this time (2); and the School provided an education to more than 100 students (2). Students at the School were taught by seven Sisters in the 1940s (2). Rev. John Hennessy was pastor during this time (2).
Another women’s group within the Church was formed in 1951, the Altar and Rosary Society (2). Rev. Denis Donovan was pastor of the Parish at this time (2). By 1954, Rev. Guinessey was pastor (2), marking a milestone of sending some graduates of St. Joseph School to the former Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk (2). Rev. George Freeman was pastor in 1955 (2), and announced plans for building a new church in 1956 (2). In 1957, he was quoted, stating, “We shall endeavor to build a new church with consideration for the future” (2).
Construction of New Church in 1957
On June 23, 1957, ground was broken for the construction of the new, larger St. Joseph Church (2, 5). The cost of the new church was $250,000 (2). During the groundbreaking, several religious officiated, including Most Rev. Msgr. Alfred Hagemaier, the Dean of Southern Erie County; Rev. Freeman; Rev. Gene Kaczmarkek; and other local priests (2). The cornerstone was laid by Auxiliary Bishop Leo R. Smith on June 12, 1958 (5); and the first Mass was celebrated on December 24, 1958 (2). The structure was remodeled in the early 1980s (5), and later served as home to the Gowanda Grange (5).
Continued Development
In the 1960s, the Mother’s Club was renamed the Home-School Association; and lay teachers began educating in the School (2). Bells and carillons were donated for use in the Church by the George Massar Family (2). Rev. Theodore Rog became an assistant priest to Rev. Freeman; and Freeman celebrated his 40th anniversary to the priesthood in 1969 (2).
The Parish in Modern Times
Freeman died in 1975, and Rev. Paul J. Whitney became pastor (2). Whitney guided the formation of the Parish Council and St. Joseph School Board (2). Tuition began to be charged by the School to help defray costs of the parish subsidy (2). Whitney also guided extensive reconstruction of the Church during that time (2). Rev. John Kwiecien came to the Parish during this time; and the Folk Group regularly provided music and song during Masses in the Church (2).
Rev. Lawrence Milby became pastor in 1982, serving the Parish for nearly 20 years (2). A 19-rank pipe organ was purchased from the former Richmond Avenue United Church of Christ in Buffalo, and placed in the Church in 1990 (2, 5). The organ was built by Clarence Morey, an organ-builder from Utica, in 1905 (2, 5). Volunteers dismantled the organ for travel to the Church, where it was rebuilt and restored by Kurt Ruhland of Ruhland Organ Company of Cleveland, Ohio (5).
In 1988, there were 127 students enrolled in St. Joseph School (5). Students from the Parish, as well as those from neighboring parishes attended the School (5). At that time, the Parish’s religious education program provided Roman Catholic religious instruction to 125 students (5). A Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) was also active in the Parish. Nearly 800 registered families were members of the Parish (2). Deacon Louis Pais served the Parish for many years.
Parish Support by the Gernatt Family
In 1992, the late Daniel R. Gernatt, Sr.(12- 14) and the late Flavia C. (Schmitz) Gernatt donated the construction of a new rectory to the Parish (2, 5). Construction of the new rectory was completed within one year (2, 5) The new rectory was built because the former building was deteriorating and in disrepair (2, 5). In 1996, Gernatt, Sr. also established the Gernatt Family Endowment Fund for St. Joseph School (15-16). The purposes of the Fund are to provide financial assistance, specifically, for students to obtain a Catholic education at the School when they would, otherwise, be unable to without such monies (15). Gernatt, Sr. attended St. Joseph School from 1926 to 1931, traveling there by horse and buggy (15). The School has received further financial assistance through the Daniel and Flavia Gernatt Family Foundation (17-20). Gernatt, Sr. and his late wife, Flavia, are both the founders of the Gernatt Family of Companies, a conglomerate of 11 mining businesses that is headquartered in Collins (15, 18, 21); and Dan Gernatt Farms (22).
The Gernatts and members of their extended family have served in many capacities in the Church and Buffalo Diocese (2, 15, 18). The late Msgr. David A. Gernatt occasionally celebrated Masses at the Church. Both Gernatt, Sr. and his late wife, Flavia, were involved in the Parish and Diocese in many capacities, including as Parish Trustee and in other positions (2, 5, 18). Daniel R. Gernatt, Jr. has been the parish Santa Claus for over four decades (23). Members of the Gernatt extended family have served on and/or have been leaders of the Mother’s Club, Parish Council, Home-School Association, Parent Association, St. Joseph School Board, Altar and Rosary Society, and other groups (2, 5, 15, 18, 20, 24). The Knights of Columbus group at the Church is named in memory of Msgr. David A. Gernatt (25-26).
Phyllis Ulmer, a daughter of Gernatt, Sr., served as the last leader of the St. Joseph School Board prior to the school’s closure in 2014 (27). Barbara (Rebmann) Galloway, a granddaughter of Gernatt, Sr., and former St. Joseph School Parent Association president, was advancement director at the School before the school closed (27). Both women are also graduates of St. Joseph School. The Gernatt and Rebmann families have additionally established scholarships in the names of their families that were annually awarded to graduates of St. Joseph School (28).
Parish Anniversaries
The Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1998 with a Mass performed by Most Rev. Henry J. Mansell, Bishop of Buffalo; and Rev. Milby (2). In 1999, the Parish ceased to be a residence for the Sisters of St. Francis due to their declining population and the need for their services in other areas of the diocese (2). In 2001, the school celebrated its 75th anniversary (2). An open house, Mass, and dinner marked the event (2). Specially remembered at the anniversary was Sister Elma, who had helped to open the school in 1925, and who celebrated her 80th anniversary as a religious sister (2).
Recent Parish History
Rev. Daniel Walsh, who began the Parish’s Youth Group, became pastor in 2002 (2). In 2003, Walsh made the following pastoral statement, in part, to the Parish, “Within an uncertain economy and a changing modern world, we need the continued support of God and each other. We need the encouraging message of the Gospels” (2).
In 2011, Walsh celebrated a memorial Mass for New York State Trooper Gary Kubasiak, who was shot and killed while answering a call for back up, and while off duty, in 1982 (29). County Route 58, also known as Peck Hill Road, between Dayton and Perrsyburg was named in Kubasiak’s honor in 2011, and Walsh gave the invocation at the ceremony (29). Kubasiak was 33 when he was killed (30-31).
Rev. Joseph D. Porpiglia became pastor in 2012. Immediately prior to coming to the Parish, he was pastor at St. Benedict Parish in Amherst, New York (32-33). Porpiglia began a blog on the Church website that informs parishioners about religious events and experiences (34). Deacon Fred Johnson serves at the Parish which currently has 300 registered families as members (25). Deacon Thomas A. McDonnell also served the Parish.
St. Joseph School
In January 2014, there were 54 students who attended St. Joseph School in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade (35). Other sources state that there were 70-90 students at the School at that time (36-38). There were 8-10 full-time and six part-time teachers at the School that included 95%-96% Caucasian and 4%-5% American Indian students (36-37).
The school maintained a statement of mission that was in the Roman Catholic tradition (39). The core curriculum of the School included Roman Catholic religion, science, social studies, English language arts, and mathematics (9). Students could participate in musical groups and sports teams (35, 40). Annually, many scholarships were awarded by the School to eighth grade graduates (28). Through the Church, alumni remained connected via newsletter, dinners, and fundraising events (41). The School also issued the Fidelis Service Award from 2009-2014 (42). The latest administrators of the school were Patrick Brady and Donna Cook (9, 27, 35).
School Closure in 2014
On September 25, 2013, Brady informed parents of St. Joseph School students that the Diocese of Buffalo was conducting a program to investigate the viability of schools (43). At the time of closure in 2014, School enrollment was at 54 students – the same number as when it first opened (2, 35). The School served the Gowanda area for 90 years (35).
St. Joseph School Fidelis Service Award Recipients (All referenced by #42 unless otherwise noted)
*Daniel R. Gernatt, Sr., in 2009
*Babs Reid, in 2010
*Maureen (McHale) Minnick, ’74, in 2011 (41-42)
*Donna Cook, in 2012
*Angela (Ragona) Herrington, ’56, in 2013
Parish Mission Priests and Approximate Dates of Service (All referenced from #5 except as noted)
*Rev. Pamphilius, 1855-1870s (2)
*Rev. J.H. Leddy, 1870s (2)
*Rev. O. Hogenforst, 1880s
*Rev. J. Wilber, 1880s
*Rev. John Nash, 1880s
*Rev. Adolph, 1880s
*Rev. Daly, 1880s
*Rev. Thomas Harrack, 1880s-1890s
Parish Priests and Approximate Dates of Service (All referenced from #2 except as noted)
*Rev. John Tracey, 1898-1900 (2, 5)
*Rev. P.J. Enright, 1900-1920
*Rev. J.E. Rochford, 1920-1930
*Rev. Henry Shaw, 1930s
*Rev. Patrick Tobin, 1930s
*Rev. John Hennessy, 1940s
*Rev. Denis Donovan, 1940s-1950s
*Rev. Guinessey, 1950s
*Rev. George Freeman, 1955-1975
*Rev. Theodore Rog, 1960s-1970s
*Rev. Paul J. Whitney, 1970s-1980s
*Rev. John Kwiecien, 1970s-1980s
*Rev. Lawrence Milby, 1982-2002
*Rev. Daniel Walsh, 2002-2012
*Rev. Joseph D. Porpiglia, 2012–Present (3)
Female Religious Leadership of the Parish
*Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity of Stella Niagara, New York (2, 4)
Mother Superiors and Principals of St. Joseph School with Dates of Service (All referenced from #9)
Note: The Sisters were referenced as “Mother,” being the teachers of the 7th and 8th grades, as well as being the leaders of the School.
*Mother Lucille Reiner, 1925-1930
*Mother Erica, 1930-1931
*Mother Elma, 1931-1933
*Mother Francesca, 1933-1937
*Mother Boniface, 1937-1939
*Mother Roseanne, 1939-1942
*Mother Beatrice Lippert, 1942-1947
*Mother Cleopha, 1947-1948
*Mother Anne Brennan, 1948-1951
*Mother Patricia (now Sister Dolores Garner), 1951-1955
*Mother Barbara (now Sister Barbara Holtzinger), 1955-1961
*Mother Maristella, 1961-1962
*Mother M. Peter (now Sister Mary Frances Welch), 1962-1964
*Mother M. Vincent (now Sister Doris Besch), 1964-1969
*Sister Paul Merkl, 1969-1976
*James T. Wojdan, 1976-1979
*Sister Mary DiLeone, 1979-1982
*Sister Diane Bernbeck, 1982-1989
*Allan Kinsley, 1989-1994
*Sister Frances Clare Perry, 1994-1998
*Daniel Grande, 1998-2000
*Vincent George, 2000-2006
*Patrick Brady, 2006–Present
Selected Parish Groups and Organizations (All referenced from #7 except as noted)
*Altar and Rosary Society
*Altar Servers
*Bingo Committee
*Eucharistic Ministers
*Hospital and Home Visitors
*Lectors
*Liturgy Group
*Msgr. David A. Gernatt Council #15113 of the Knights of Columbus (25-26)
*Music Ministry (Choir, Music Ensemble, and Organist)
*Parent Association (Formerly the Home-School Association)
*Parish Council
*Religious Education
*St. Joseph School Board
*St. Vincent de Paul Society
*Ushers
*Youth Group (2)
References
1: “Diocese of Buffalo: About the Diocese” (2013). Buffalo, NY: Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. Retrieved November 23, 2013. http://www.buffalodiocese.org/AbouttheDiocese.aspx
2: 2003 St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (January 2004). Eden Prairie, MN: Olan Mills Church Directories.
3: “St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church” (2012). Gowanda, NY: St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church. Retrieved March 1, 2014. http://www.sjcgowanda.org/Home_Page.html
4: “St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church: History” (2012). St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church. Gowanda, NY: Author. Retrieved March 1, 2014. http://www.sjcgowanda.org/History.html
5: Historical Sketch of the Village of Gowanda, N.Y. in Commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of its Incorporation, August 8, 1898. Buffalo, NY: The Matthews-Northrup Company, Leonard, I.R., Reprinted 1998. Salem, MA: Higginson Book Company.
6: “St. Joseph’s Parish Guide” (1992). Gowanda, NY: St. Joseph Church and Hamburg, NY: H&K Publications, Inc.
7: “St. Joseph Church, Gowanda” (2014). Facebook. Menlo Park, CA: Author. Retrieved March 2, 2014. https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Joseph-Church-Gowanda/138382506183988
8: Kirby, C.D. (1976). The Early History of Gowanda and the Beautiful Land of the Cattaraugus. Gowanda, NY: Niagara Frontier Publishing Company, Inc./Gowanda Area Bi-Centennial Committee, Inc.
9: “St. Joseph School, Gowanda, New York: About us” (2014). St. Joseph School. Gowanda, NY: Author. Retrieved March 1, 2014. http://stjoesgowanda.com/AboutUs.aspx
10: Holy Cross Cemetery (2014). Find A Grave. Provo, UT: Author. Retrieved March 2, 2014. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2201313
11: Pine Hill Cemetery (2014). Find A Grave. Provo, UT: Author. Retrieved March 2, 2014. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=65646
12: “Former breeder Dan Gernatt Sr. Dies at 97” (May 8, 2014). Harnessracing.com. Lexington, KY: Horseman Publishing Co. Retrieved June 18, 2014. http://www.harnessracing.com/news/formerbreederdangernattsrdiesat97.html
13: Dan Gernatt Sr. passes (May 9, 2014). StandardbredCanada.com. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada: Author. Retrieved June 18, 2014. http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/notices/5-9-14/dan-gernatt-sr-passes.html
14: Daniel R. Gernatt Sr. (May 7, 2014). ObserverToday.com. Dunkirk, NY: John D’Agostino. Retrieved June 18, 2014. http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/597531/Daniel-R–Gernatt-Sr-.html?nav=5011
15: “Bishop’s Medal Recipient: Daniel R. Gernatt, Sr.” (2007). Celebrate Catholic Education Dinner 2007. Buffalo, NY: Diocese of Buffalo.
16: “Foundation funds supporting Catholic education” (2013). The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. Buffalo, NY: Author. Retrieved November 27, 2013. http://www.frcdb.org/foundation-funds-catholic-education
17: “Form 990-PF 2008 Return of Private Foundation: Daniel & Flavia Gernatt Family Foundation” (2008). Guidestar.org. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved November 29, 2013. http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments//2008/222/914/2008-222914177-051dfcee-F.pdf
18: “Flavia C. Gernatt, businesswoman” (November 29, 1995). Buffalo News. Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway.
19: “Tech Mission: Urban Ministry Grants: Daniel & Flavia Gernatt Family Foundation” (2013). Urban Ministry Grants. Boston, MA: Author. Retrieved November 29, 2013. http://www.urbanministry.org/grants/daniel-flavia-gernatt-family-foundation
20: “Bishop Kmiec to present Bishop’s Medal to three individuals, Catholic college” (December 17, 2006). Gowanda Penny Saver News. Hamburg, NY: H&K Publications.
21: “City & region: Daniel R. Gernatt Sr., 97, entrepreneur, horseman” (May 7, 2014). The Buffalo News. Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway. Retrieved May 26, 2014. http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/obituaries/daniel-r-gernatt-sr-97-entrepreneur-horseman-20140507#
22: “Dan Gernatt Sr. Passes” (May 9, 2014). Mississauga, Ontario, Canada: Standardbred Canada. Retrieved June 18, 2014. http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/notices/5-9-14/dan-gernatt-sr-passes.html
23: “Santa Claus visits St. Joseph’s” (image) (March 2012). St. Joseph Times, Vol. 1, No. 9. Gowanda, NY: St. Joseph Church.
24 Pankow, M. (February 15, 2014). “’Lucky 7s’ for local patriarch Dan Gernatt, Sr.” Gowanda News. Gowanda, NY: The Metro Group. Retrieved February 26, 2014. : http://www.gowandanews.com/news/258-Lucky_7s_for_local_patriarch_dan_Gernatt,_Sr..html
25: “St. Joseph’s: Weekly Collection” (March 2, 2014). St. Joseph’s. New Berlin, WI: Liturgical Publications, Inc. Retrieved March 4, 2014. http://content.seekandfind.com/bulletins/14/0950/20140302B.pdf
26: “Msgr. David A. Gernatt Council #15113 of the Knights of Columbus” (February 23, 2014). SeekAndFind.com. New Berlin, WI: Liturgical Publications, Inc. Retrieved March 1, 2014. http://www.seekandfind.com/find/st-josephs-church St. Joseph’s
27: “St. Joseph School administration” (2014). St. Joseph School. Gowanda, NY: Author. Retrieved March 1, 2014. http://stjoesgowanda.com/AboutUs/SchoolAdministration.aspx
28: “St. Joseph School Graduation Program” (2013). St. Joseph School. Gowanda, NY: Author.
29: McDonnell, S. (August 31, 2011). Trooper Gary Kubasiak honored with highway 29 years after his death.” The Observer. Dunkirk, NY: John D’Agostino. Retrieved March 2, 2014. http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/562784/Trooper-Gary-Kubasiak-honored-with-highway-29-years-after-his-death.html?nav%3D5047
30: The region: Outpatient is held in trooper’s death (September 1, 1982). The New York Times. New York, NY: Author. Retrieved March 2, 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/01/nyregion/the-region-outpatient-is-held-in-trooper-s-death.html
31: “ODMP remembers…Trooper Gary E. Kubasiak” (2014). Officer Down Memorial Page. Fairfax, VA: Author. Retrieved March 2, 2014. http://www.odmp.org/officer/7765-trooper-gary-e-kubasiak
32: “Fr. Joseph D. Porpiglia” (November 11, 20120. ZoomInfo.com. Waltham, MA: Author. Retrieved March 4, 2014. http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Joseph-Porpiglia/30086192
33: Lindahl, K. (November 8, 2012). “News – Catholic life: Time in military service changes priest’s ministry.” Western New York Catholic. Buffalo, NY: Diocese of Buffalo. Retrieved 4 March 2014. http://www.wnycatholic.org/wnycatholicnews/catholiclife/tabid/1182/vw/1/itemid/1762/time-in-military-service-changes-priests-ministry.aspx
34: “Fr. Joe’s blog” (2013). St. Joseph Church. Gowanda, NY: Author. Retrieved March 2, 2014. http://www.sjcgowanda.org/Fr.html
35: Willis, J. (January 19, 2014). “Farewell St. Joseph’s: Principal reflects on history of 90-year-old school.” The Observer. Dunkirk, NY: John D’Agostino. Retrieved March 4, 2014. http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/593131/Farewell-St–Joseph.html?nav=5047
36: “St. Joseph School” (2014). LocalSchoolDirectory.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014. http://www.localschooldirectory.com/private-school/19955/NY
37: St. Joseph School (2014). Great Schools.org. Oakland, CA: Great Schools, Inc. Retrieved March 4, 2014. http://www.greatschools.org/new-york/gowanda/4767-St.-Joseph-School/
38: “Who’s who in education 2008” (March 20, 2008). Buffalo Business First, p. 4. Buffalo, NY: American City Business Journals. Retrieved March 4, 2014. http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/03/24/focus1.html?page=4
39: “St. Joseph School mission statement” (2014). St. Joseph School. Gowanda, NY: Author. Retrieved March 1, 2014. http://stjoesgowanda.com/AboutUs/Mission.aspx
40: “Athletics” (2014). St. Joseph School. Gowanda, NY: Author. Retrieved March 4, 2014. http://stjoesgowanda.com/Athletics.aspx
41: “Principal’s pen” (September 2011). St. Joseph Times, Vol. 1, No. 8. Gowanda, NY: St. Joseph Church. Retrieved March 5, 2014. http://www.stjoesgowanda.com/Portals/7/September%202011Newsletter%20FINAL.pdf
42: “Fidelis Service Award” (2014). St. Joseph School. Gowanda, NY: Author. Retrieved March 4, 2014. http://stjoesgowanda.com/Alumni/FidelisServusAward.aspx
43: Brady, P.J. (September 25, 2013). “Parent Note Special Letter.” Gowanda, New York: St. Joseph School. Retrieved March 5, 2014 from pdf online.
Gowanda, New York Churches 