The first Mass to be celebrated in Simsbury was on October 5, 1902. That same year, property was purchased for $550 and the Church of the Immaculate Conception was built on the North side of Plank Hill Road and dedicated on May 29, 1904. Prior to this church, the few Catholics here in “the valley” would travel by train or road to what was, at the time, the center of activity in Simsbury -- the village of Tariffville.
As the parish outgrew the wooden structure, the present church property was purchased in 1920. The new church was dedicated as St. Mary's on February 23, 1936.
The present rectory was purchased from C. Edson Curtiss and remodeled for the pastor and his assistant in 1952.
The first unit of St. Mary's school housing grades 1-3 was dedicated in 1957. The second unit, a five room building was dedicated in 1959. Construction of the Parish Center began in 1985 and included office space, kitchen and library.
Expansion of the Church (side wings) was completed in July of 1985 providing an additional 200 seats.
In 1998, 3 Massaco Street was purchased to serve as office space and meeting rooms for organizations. Our parish has more than 2200 families and St. Mary School enrolls over 200 children in its pre-school through eighth grades. Our parish continues to grow to meet the spiritual, educational and social needs of people. There are more than 800 students, grades one through twelve, in our Religious Education and High School program.
St. Mary's Pastors
Father William R. Metzler, current pastor
Father Lawrence Bock, Father William Dudack, 1982
Father James Carlone, Father Robert Tucker, 1981
Father Robert Tucker, Father Joseph P. Donahue, 1975
Father Joseph T. Cunningham, 1959
Father John Weldon, 1953
Father Michael Guerin, 1944
Father Henry Callahan, 1933
Father Matthew Judge, 1924
Father John J. Kean, 1921
Father William R. Metzler, current pastor
Father Lawrence Bock, Father William Dudack, 1982
Father James Carlone, Father Robert Tucker, 1981
Father Robert Tucker, Father Joseph P. Donahue, 1975
Father Joseph T. Cunningham, 1959
Father John Weldon, 1953
Father Michael Guerin, 1944
Father Henry Callahan, 1933
Father Matthew Judge, 1924
Father John J. Kean, 1921