We invite anyone who has memories of the original St. Mary's Church to send them to us. All comments will be posted anonymously, unless you request that your name be listed.

• I remember the large banner that hung to the left of the Altar. It was during the war years and had Blue stars that were attached to represent Parish members that were serving in the Armed Forces. The Blue stars were replaced with a Gold star when a member of the Armed died in action. I remember as a boy every Sunday, praying that there would not be a new Gold star but, sadly, most of the Blues were replaced with Gold by the end of WW2.
• I remember the house for the Nuns of the Sisters of Mercy house was on the right of the church with the Rectory on the left. Lawn Parties were held each year by the K of C. After we made our Confirmation, the members of the K of C taught us Bible History as we did not have CCD anymore after being confirmed. There were very few Catholics. In the 50s' I believe their were only 800 members in Bath. At the time, I believe the number of Prostenant churches were 26 and a Synagogue.
• What a shame that it was demolished. Look at the beautiful woodwork. Someone really put some time and thought into that church.
• This church sat beside Morse High. I can recall walking single file to the church on holy days from St Mary's School. This was at the time the new church was being built. Also can recall the old balcony....it was so old at the time...i feared it would topple.
• I remember the lawn party that was held where the parking lot of Morse is now.....and those bean hole suppers that St Mary's put on every summer
• If we wanted to catch the matinee at the Opera House my buddy and I first had to ride our bikes up to St Mary's and check the movie list posted on the door of the rectory, then report back to his Mom.
• I went into the church with someone very special that day in March of 68, candles were liit and a payer was said for me as I was to leave for Viet Nam. I will neverfor get that day and that someone special.
• When I was a kid St. Mary's had a yard sale and those old statues were there...I wish the heck I had bought them
• My wife and I bought one of the beautiful stations of the cross after the church was demolished. It hung in our home for years, but last year we donated it to the "new" St. Mary's Church where it hangs in the downstairs Parish Hall. We still have many of the smaller statues from the church and rectory.
• As a little girl, I always wondered why the big boys stood way up back, just inside entry door, leaning against wall with eyes shut during 11:00 mass. Anything to do with Saturday night ? ;-)
• [one comment:] I hate it when churches get torn down!! Ohhh the history... [Reply from someone else:] Well... you can go to Thomas Point Beach and see some of it... [Comment from third person:] That's where the steeple ended up? I never knew that was from St. Mary's!
• I've been to many a bluegrass festival at Thomas Point Beach without realizing that I was seeing the steeple of St Mary's
• I went to St Mary's 67-68, when it was next to the school... I loved that church.. Father Carrigan was the priest at the time. They never locked the doors and you could go in and light candles for loved one..... I think it is a shame to tear down a beautiful church and all the history with it.....
• I went to [the new] St Mary's School in grades 1-5, til they closed the school...remember watching them build the new church, and the first time we got to walk through it.
• Spent many hours at the old St. Mary's! Some good memories and some not so good. Don't think the kids in my family missed a 9:00 am Sunday Mass during the late 1930's through the 1940's and into the 1950's.
• I was Baptized,, made First Penance, First Communion, and was married in that church on High Street. Many memories of that church. Remember when confession was a regular Saturday afternoon activity?
• Remember Father Maney? He always preached fire and brimstone to the "neckties" and "skirts". That's what he called men and women when he was in his scolding mood. He was a kind and gentle person away from the church who was very generous to a lot of poor people in Bath. The 9:00 mass was known as the children's mass. All the kids used to sit down front together and a lot of times he used to talk to us. Lots of good memories in that old church. Hated Sat. afternoon confessions.
• I remember Sister Mary Ellen used to terrorize us kids in catecism class! But I have fond memories of being an alter boy here.
• Sister Mary Ellen memories--Sister went into my father's place of business and said to my father--"Your son [my brother] is a troublemaker. What are we going to do about him?" My father said--"Sister, I am going to pray for him". Sister Mary Ellen appeared to have Rheumatoid arthritis--pain-- I will forgive her for her faults......
• Sister Isidore-- At the end- Sister Cecila Dostie-- a beacon for my whole life. As I was a child--a beautiful human being who was so filled with joy as she taught CCD and then as a choir director, kind and loving. Two years ago at age 90, she died. She and I were in contact for all those years in between, and she was a beacon of faith for me as I married, had children and lived my life. Visits to her in her later years were very special as she shared her prayer life. One visit at Mercy Hospital as she was recovering from surgery--" I offered this up for a relative who needs prayers." Sister was a Saint in my eyes...

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