Located on the corner of Avenue B and West Sixth St. It started in 1854 and was first called St. Patricks and remained so until 1900 when it was renamed St. Marys. The church only met about every three months in the early days and and about once a month beginning around 1861 under the direction of Rev. Michael Ford. When he died in 1862 he was buried in Dixon but the parishioners of Sterling disinterred his body and buried him in Sterling. He was again disinterred and reburied when the new cemetery was purchased around 1890. The first resident pastor was the Rev. John Daly about 1863. The church prospered greatly, complete with a fine church, a rectory as well as a school and convent. They fell upon hard times in the 1880's when they lost everyting. In 1886 they purchased the church once used by the Presbyterians. The first church and rectory were built in 1863 and replaced within two years. Around 1900 a new church was erected at the corner of Avenue B and 6th St, the rectory being built a year later.
From the Sterling Daily Gazette Bi-Centennial Edition July 1, 1976
This was the beginning of the current St. Mary's Church in the year 1854, when the Rev. James Fitzgerald, a Dixon priest, came on occassion to conduct the mass. Afterwards, the Rev. Kennedy served as the successor and held mass three or four times a year at Capt. Lyons cabin. It was in April of 1859 the Rev. Michael Ford of Dixon began holding monthly meetings in Sterling and this continued to 1862. History also records a vague figure about this time, the Rev. Hubert who is said to have built a small frame church and parish house in the early 1860's. Father Ford died in 1862 and was buried in Dixon.. but the parishioners disinterred the body in the night and removed it to Sterling. He was reburied a second time after the new cemetery was purchased around 1890.
The first resident pastor was the Rev. John Daly appointed in 1863. Father Daly officiated at his first baptism June 7, 1863. His first parish assignment included Sterling, Fulton, Morrison, Savanna, Albany, Genesee Grove, Tampico and Prophetstown. Under Father Daly's administration, the first church and recory were built around 1863 and the old frame rectory remodeled for a school. Mary Ryan taught in the school during 1867 - 1869. In 1869 the Sisters came for one year and the school was calle St. Anne's academy. At this time the church was called St. Patricks. However after one year, the Sisters left and the school everted back to Mary Ryan in 1870. It was not until 1876 that St. Mary's parish was incorporated and soon afterwards, the entire property was lost to litigation. It wsa the Rev. Bishop Foley who was instrumental inpurchasing a vacant building used earlieer as the Presbyterian Church, for the continuance of the church and school. The old building had been located on East Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue.
The Rev. Michael J. Byrne came in 1876 and stayed some 18 months being followed by Fr. C.J. O'Callaghan who served 11 years. In 1889 the Rev. E.A. McMahon began a 3 year pastorate during the time the Calvary Cemetery was acquired. Interesting note is the fact that Father McMahon wa buried in Calvary and over him was erected the eautiful altar with the life-size bronze statuary of the Crucifixion where St. Mary's congregation held a mass once a year.
