St. Cecilia's Catholic Church

The First Catholic People of Sheldon

"These families are listed on a chart currently hanging                          Photographed by Barb Durfee

at the back of the church. The information probably 

comes from a detailed parish census book compiled                        

in about 1850 (it can be found on the St. Cecilia's 

FHL microfilm #1292997). Those families that said 

they came to Sheldon before 1840 are listed on the 

chart. Any families that helped establish the Sheldon 

mission in 1840 but left the area before 1850 are, sadly, 

lost to history." - Scott Barvian

During Rev. John Neuman's visits to these people in Sheldon, a plot of land 18 rods X 6 rods was bought for $1.00 from Edward and Catherine Loreaux, 1/2 mile south of Sheldonville, on April 18, 1839.  Shortly thereafter Father Neuman truned the first spadeful of ground for the building of a log chapel, 32 ft X 28 ft, boasting a small tower with a cross thereon. 

On November 3, 1839, the male members above listed, held a meeting in the completed chapel, after due notice of two weeks.  Joseph Sloane and Heinrich Reding were elected to preside over deliberations, and Peter George the elder, Hubbard George, Conrad Heiman, and Jacob Balkey were duly elected trustees.  The chapel was designated as "The First Roman Catholic Church of Sheldon."

By 1848 a second frame church, 100 ft X 40 ft. was erected at Sheldonville, now called Straubs Corners.  Trustees elected to serve in this church were: Nicolaus George II, Pierre George, Martin Keem and Peter Meiers.  Bishop Timon, first bishop of the Buffalo Diocese, sent Rev. John Schaefer to the now "St. Cecelia's Roman Catholic Church", as our first resident pastor, in October 1848.

Our present stone church, built whild Father Theodore Vass was pastor, had Peter Kehl and Alphonse George as first trustees.  Since a great part of the materials and labor was donated by parishioners, it cost only $13,000 to build this church.