Take a scenic drive to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean offers a faithful, beautiful and historic place for a summer pilgrimage. 

Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, 202 S. Union St., Olean, NY 14760

History: The first Mass of record within the present boundaries of St. Mary of the Angels Parish was celebrated shortly before 1850 by Father Thomas McEvoy who came from Java. Other priests said Mass in the homes of the 40 Catholics living in the area at the time. The building of the railroad in 1851 brought many more people into town, motivating Father Joseph McKenna of Cuba to start collecting money for a proper church. A plot of land was bought and a small frame church was erected. In 1855, Bishop John Timon, CM, asked the Franciscans who had just come to Allegany to take charge of the newly constituted parish. 

The parish grew rapidly. A larger church was needed and the Very Rev. Pamphilius De Magliano, OSF, the first pastor, laid the cornerstone on Sept. 19, 1858. The Franciscans administered the parish from 1855 to 1876. 

On Nov. 26, 1876, Bishop Stephen Ryan, appointed Father John J. Hamel, an alumnus of the then St. Bonaventure College, as the first diocesan pastor of the parish. He immediately enlarged the church to seat 900 people and in 1880 built the rectory. In 1890, a school was built where the Sisters of Mercy would teach. Bishop James Quigley appointed Father Hamel dean of the southern district of the diocese, which comprised Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. Father Hamel died on Jan. 15, 1912 and was succeeded by Father Edward J. Rengel, who immediately began plans for a new church. The church was blessed and formally opened for services by Msgr. Nelson H. Baker on Sept. 26, 1915. It was consecrated four years later, by Bishop William Turner, with Cardinal Patrick Hayes of New York presiding. 

On Feb. 14, 2017, The Vatican declared St. Mary’s a minor basilica. The name was changed to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. 

Windows: A series of windows that line the nave of the basilica depict images taken from sacred tradition. They show the betrothal of Joseph and Mary based on a Raphael painting, Mary watching Jesus make a cross, Mary receiving Jesus’ body upon His death, and the Wedding of Cana. 

Neat facts: One of the largest buildings in Olean started out as a log cabin. 

Father Hamel’s body was brought back from Brooklyn and interred under the east tower on January 15, 1920. In October 1956, Msgr. Rengel was also interred there. 

Make sure to check out: BasilicaFEST – Three days of car shows, pony rides, blues bands, raffles and food.