ST. THERESA'S MISSION CHUCH
Frankfort Center, NY
Herkimer County, NY

A Photo Essay by Laura Perkins

St. Theresa's

St. Theresa's Church August 2003

On August 25, 1996, St. Theresa's Church closed its doors for the last time. A final mass was said, the bell in the church steeple was rung, and the parishioners bid a tearful farewell. This tiny Roman Catholic Church, staffed by the Vincentian Fathers, became victim to a shortage of priests.

St. Theresa's Church was built in 1927, on Center Road, in the small community of Frankfort Center, as a mission church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Frankfort. In November of 1927, Rev. Father P. F. Wallace and the Trustees of the church, Dr. B. J. KELLEY and P. C. BENNISON of the village, purchased the site for the church from Mr. STERLING. George PALMER prepared the plans and the contract for the erection of the handsome little church was let to the Getman Lumber Company. It was completed in December of that year, and solemnly dedicated by Rev. Father WALLACE, at a cost of $11,000. [Note: see Frankfort Sketches for bio and photo of Rev. Wallace.]

Throughout the years, this tiny church has been the meeting place for the 20 or more Catholic families in the area, even with the advent of the automobile making it easier to commute to other churches, they still continued to attend St. Theresa's. Over the years, the members would join in to help with the support and renovations to the church, donating their time and talents for the worthy cause.

bazaar stand

Church Bazaar

Every summer, a festival was held, on the grounds behind the church to help raise money. Church members volunteered their time, cooking, holding raffles, staffing the food and game booths, and everyone had a good time. In the summer months, attendance at the church increased by the arrival of the Boy Scouts, from the nearby Camp Ballou. Over the years this tiny church flourished. In August 1977, St. Theresa's celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

The interior of the church was simple but beautiful. The original altar was made of wood, but later replaced with a marble one. A wood stove used for heating the church was replaced by central heat. Many years ago there was a sexton of the church, who, because the church would be cold before the mass, brought the little children down by the wood stove, where they would be warm. Stained glass windows, gracefully arched, adorned the little church, and encircled the 22 pews. To the right of the main entrance was the choir, singing the hymnals. Outside, a path led to the opulent statue of St. Theresa.

Statue of Mary

Today, 7 years later, St. Theresa's church still pitifully stands, looking much less dignified than ever before. Paint is peeling around the exterior, some of the wood trim is hanging down, only a couple of the once beautiful stained glass windows are left, and the other windows have been boarded up, and the front doors now have signs tacked on "Private Property, No Trespassing." The once quaint landscaping has grown into a jumble of weeds and brush. The church bell has been taken down, and the statue of St. Theresa has been stored away, along with the other treasured remnants of this quaint country church. St. Theresa's Mission Church in Frankfort Center will always hold a special place in the hearts and memories of its former parishioners.

Renovations