The Post-Standard from Syracuse, New York • Page 39

Fathe Maho 9 ns or- FTY years ago a young Roman Catholic priest, the Rev. George S. Mahon, was instructed by his bishop to "start a new parish" for some 300 families on the fhwest side of Syracuse. A few days later, the somewhat bewildered priest stood in a ravine at BeUevue and Robertr Avenues inspecting the barren site on which was to rest his church. With Father Mahon were his niece, a friend and three small children, among them Edward Foley, who loter was to become undersecretary of the U.

S. Treasury. Father Mahon was enthusiastic and so were the workmen, many of them volunteers. They built a temporary church in 18 days, and in December, 1913, the determined young priest offered the first two masses in "The Church of the Holy Rosary" with 1,500 parishioners in attendance. In 1915 Father Mahon realized another ambition with the opening of a school.

Two hundred and forty- five children were enrolled, and his parish was growing fast. In 1927 the name of the church was legaMy changed to "The Church of the Most Holy Rosary," and a year later Father Mahon celebrated the first mass in the new church at Roberts and Grandview Avenues. Two years later Father Mahon died. His successor, the Rt. Rev.

Msgr. Howard McDowell, continued with plans for expansion of the parish's physical plant, and under his leadership the congregation increased to 4,500, with the school enrollment growing to about 1,150. In September, Msgr. McDowell observed the 50th anniversary of Most Holy Rosary Church by celebrat- inq a Golden Jubilee Mass in the presence of Bishop Walter A. Foery.

Next Sunday evening the 50th anniversary celebration will come to a close with a dinner at the Hotel Syracuse. The main soeaker will be the Rev. Theodore C. Hesburgh, C. S.

president of the University of Notre Dame, and a graduate of Most Holy Rosary School. CONTINUED THE ORIGINAL "Church of ths Holy Rosary" was built in 1913 at Bellevue and Roberts Avenues. Seating capacity wos 600. bhci THE REV. GEORGE S.

MAHON, Syracuse Port-Standard November 24, IF i 5 J--J 1 1 t- i i 7.