Stony Point & Tomkins Cove, NY
Parish History
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Brief Parish History
Our parish was established in 1885 when Immaculate Conception Church of Tomkins Cove officially separated from St. Peter’s of Haverstraw to form an independent parish due to an increase in the Catholic population. Many of the early immigrants were Irish peasants who came to the North Rockland area to flee the famine-stricken areas of West Ireland, the Counties of Mayo, Galway, Clare, Sligo, and Cork. The new settlers found in North Rockland an area surrounded with natural beauty, filled with history, and steeped in faith in God.
With the advent of the Tappan Zee Bridge and the opening of the Palisades Interstate parkway, this quiet rural area of Rockland’s northeast became a haven for those who sought to leave the noisy city and escape to a dream house where children could be brought up with security.
Our current school building on Main Street was opened in 1952, (sadly the final graduating class from our Parish School was in June, 2008).
The new Immaculate Conception Church was dedicated on December 12, 1982 by His Eminence Terence Cardinal Cooke.
On Sunday, December 8, 1985, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, His Eminence John Cardinal O'Connor was the main celebrant at a 3:00pm mass to celebrate the Centennial Year of the founding of the parish.
Our area continues to grow and flourish. In this affluent time we see many new homes being constructed with the influx of younger families with children. This is no longer a small river town, and Immaculate is anything but a small country parish. We currently have over 1,000 registered families and a Religious Education Program of 200 children.
Each year we experience growth and are challenged to respond in a creative way to the needs of our people.
We thank you for your interest in visiting our web site and ask that you say a prayer for all of us.If you live in Stony Point or Tomkins Cove, we welcome you to our church
and invite you to become an active member of our Parish Family!
Pastors of Immaculate Conception
Father Joseph P. Brennan
1885 - 1900
February 16, 1921 - eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord.
Father William A. Jackson
1908 - 1917
March 16, 1917 - eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord.
Father James M. McDonnell
1917 -1925
August 30, 1929 - eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord.
Monsignor Emmett F. Rogers
1925 - 1953
September 29, 1953 - eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord.
Monsignor Joseph S. Smith
1953 - 1972
August 29, 1988 - eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord.
Monsignor William A. Gorman
1972 - 1979
March 6, 1995 - eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord.
Monsignor John M. Harrington
1979 - 1995
August 22, 2009 - eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord.
Father Robert J. Staar
1995 - 2007
Monsignor William F. Foley
2007 - 2015
January 27, 2024 - eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord.
Father Herbert T. DeGaris
2017 -
Most Recent Parish History/NewsJune 23, 2024 - The Cove Church-stained glass window is refurbished, blessed and rededicated i and on prominent display in the Main Church.
May 8, 2024 - Work begins on the installation of a new roof for the Parish Food Pantry building
January 27, 2024 - Msgr. William F. Foley, Ninth Pastor of Immaculate passes away.
July 6, 2023 - Fr. DeGaris is appointed to a second term as Pastor.
Summer 2023 - School Auditorium/Gym is painted. New ceiling and ceiling lights are installed.May 22, 2023 - Work begins on installation of new black top for the entire property.
April 14, 2023 - As a result of the Rockland County brush fires, the Parish Office and school building were evacuated. The rectory was in the line of fire. The Food Pantry
Ministry came to an immedieate halt. Because of flying embers landing on the Church roof, the Holy Eucharist was removed from the church. Most likely for the first time in Immaculate's history there was no Blessed Sacrament in the Church overnight until prior to the 8:30 morning mass. Thank God there was no injuries to staff and neighbors or any structural damage to the property.
February 8, 2023 - New exterior doors begin to be installed on all entrances of the church.
January 22, 2023 - His Excellency, The Most Reverend Edmund J. Whalen, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, is the main celebrant of our 9:30 and 11:30 am masses.September 28, 2022 - Sadly, due to structural concern, The Archdiocese of New York announced the Tomkins Cove Church can no longer, in its present state, be used as a place to celebrate mass.
Summer 2022 - School building halls are painted along with new brighter lights installed.June 18, 2022 - Dan Condon is ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacon by
His Emenience Timothy Cardinal Dolan.
April 23, 2022 - His Emenience Timothy Cardinal Dolan is the Main Celebrant at our 5:30 Vigil Mass to celebrate Rockland and Orange Counties major gift givers for the
Annual Cardinal's Stewardship Appeal.October 25, 2021 - Work began on the replacement of the worn concrete surrounding
the Main ChurchOctober - November, 2021 - The parish takes part in a second Increase Giving Campign called Beyond Sunday Morning. Immediate response is
strong and positive.
June 13, 2021 - Work began on the installation of the new church carpet.November 2, 2020 - Work began on the restoration of the church pews.
September 28, 2020 - Work began on the installation of a new hardwood floor in the Sancuary.
June 13 & 14, 2020 - After 13 weekends with no public Sunday Mass. Immaculate begins
again the celebration of Sunday Mass, with many restrictions.
June 9, 2020 - After 78 days of no public mass, Immaculate begins again the public celebration
of the 7:30 am Daily Mass.
May 5, 2020 - After removing overgrown shrubs and trees which covered 2/3 of our main parish staue of Mary on East Main Street, work began on the cleaning and restoring of the statue to its origional beauty. Mary was crowned on Mother's Day, May 10th.March 14, 2020 - With a historic announcement from the Archdiocese of New York, and most of the entire dioceses through the country, all public masses and parish activities are cancelled due to the growing Covid-19 Pandemic. Many
parishes, including Immaculate Conception rely on Live Streaming to
broadcast the celebration of mass online.June 24, 2019 - Work begins on the installation of the new roof for the Main Church.
April 17, 2019 - Remodeling of the Sancuary begins. The Blessed Sacrament is moved
to the center of the Church. Where it use to be, on the side, is now
the Parish Shrine to our Patroness, Mary, of the Immaculate Conception.
October 14, 2018 - Immaculate reaches its goal after a year long major camgaign
Renew + Rebuild. $844,219.00 has been pledged toward the
parish goal of $839,000. Money raised will provide for a new roof
for the main church and major renovation of the interior church building.
May 13, 2018 - His Emenience Timothy Cardinal Dolan is the main celebrant of
our 11:30 morning mass to celebreate the begining success of our parish
Renew + Rebuild Campaign.
September 10, 2017 - Immaculate Conception celebrates the Installation of it's
tenth Pastor, Fr. Herbert T. DeGaris.
- The restored church bell begins to ring out once again for all Sunday masses and major church celebrations.
July 1, 2017 - Fr. Herbert T. DeGaris is assigned as Pastor.May 21, 2017 - Msgr. William J. Foley, nineth Pastor of Immaculate Conception celebrates the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination of Priesthood at the 11:30 morning mass.
October - November, 2017 - The Parish takes part in an Increase Giving Campaign where the parishioners respond amazingly, allowing Immaculate to become self-sufficant, no longer relying on fincial aid from the Archdiocese.
December 1, 2015 - Fr. Herbert T. DeGaris assigned as Temporary Administrator.
August 1, 2015 - Fr. Herbert T. DeGaris assigned as Parochial Vicar.