BRIEF HISTORY

An important consideration in building this Church was to preserve and incorporate certain historical items and memorabillia from our first Church, the Mission Church was built in 1890, and the second Church, which was built in 1958.

Under the visionary and the inspirational leadership of our Pastor, Rev. Joseph M. Soranno, the first steps in considering building the new Church began in July 1990.  It was believed that building a new, total complex would create true parish community that would not only meet the needs and demands of today, but also the challenges of entering the next millennium.  Eleven months later on June 15, 1991, the decision was made to proceed and build a new Church.

Willam Sitnik and Dorthy Schwendenmann were appointed co-chairs of the twenty person Development Committee.  Keefe Associates of Boston was selected as architect and Barber Associates of Ludlow as general contractors.

The offical Groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 24, 1995 and just fourteen months later, the First Mass was celebrated in our new Church on November 22, 1996.  The Dedication Mass for our new Church was concelebrated by Bishop Thomas L. Dupré last year on April 20, 1997.

It is interesting to note that during the excavation of the property, contractors encountered a humongous rock that could not be moved or even blasted away.   Recall what Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Upon this rock I will build my Church", Fr. Soranno aptly said to the contractors, "Leave it, for it was meant to be!" Andso the foundation of our new Church, in fact - right where the altar is located, rest securely on top of a solid rock.

Today over 6,300 parisioners from 1,800 families living in Wilbraham and surronding communities are members of Saint Cecilia Church. - (taken from Commemorative Book 1998)