Saint Margaret School History page

Msgr. James G. Kelly, born July 25, 1937, was appointed pastor of St. Margaret's Parish in Buffalo effective May 1, 1993.  He had been serving as pastor of St. John's Parish in Olean since 1983.
He is replacing Msgr. Robert D. Duggan who died on January 23, 1993.

Msgr. is a native of Buffalo.  He attended St. John the Baptist School in Kenmore, Canisius High School and Diocesan Preparatory School in Kenmore, Canisius High School and Diocesan Preparatory Seminar in Buffalo, Our Lady of the Angels Seminary at Niagara University and the American College in Louvain, Belgium, where he was ordained in 1962.  Since ordination he has served as administrator of Holy Family Parish in Machais and as associate pastor of Immaculate conception Parish in East Aurora and Holy Family in Buffalo.

Msgr. Kelly served outside the diocese of Buffalo while the Franciscan Friars.  He returned to the diocese after three years to resume the duties of chaplain at St. Joseph Collegiate Institute in Kenmore.  He was also pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Buffalo and vicar for the Central City Apostolate.  He taught at Turner-Carroll high School in buffalo and Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean.

Msgr. Kelly has been a member of the board of trustees of St. Francis Hospital in Olean, Olean General Hospital, and Archbishop Walsh High School.  He served several terms on the Priest's Senate and for two years as vice chairman of the Peace and Justice commission.  Msgr. Kelly is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

St. Margaret's....Our Story

St. Margaret's Parish was established in the fall of 1916 in response to the rapid growth in the north section of the city. Most Reverend Dennis Dougherty, fifth Bishop of Buffalo, purchased nine acres of land in the north section of the city for a parish to meet the needs of the people in an area which showed promise of rapid growth. On December 6, Bishop Dougherty appointed Reverend Thomas J. Timmons first pastor and founder of the new parish.

The first mass was celebrated at St. Margaret's Church (a small frame wooden structure) on December 24, 1916. The cornerstone of the church-school building was laid by Bishop Dennis Dougherty on September 16, 1917. St. Margaret School opened in September 1918, originally housed the Sisters of St. Joseph on the second floor and classrooms were dedicated on the first floor. The first mass celebrated in the new building was on October, 1918. In the early Fall of 1919, the parish purchased the large frame building which stood at 1395 Hertel Avenue. It served as the rectory until March 3, 1923. On March 3, 1925 the present rectory which stands at 1395 Hertel Avenue was completed and the priests moved into their new home. In February, 1925, the new convent was completed and became the permanent residence for the Sisters.

Sister M. Frederic, S.S.J., as principal and Sister M. Paul of the Cross, S.S.J., from the Community of the Sisters of St. Joseph took charge of the school which opened on Wednesday, September 19, 1917 with solemn High Mass. Father Timmons, celebrant was assisted by Father Carr and Father O'Hern. The school began with a total enrollment of forty-one pupils. The growth was so amazing and the number of children seeking admission, it was necessary to add the school annex in September, 1927. In September, 1956, the ground was broken for the new church.

A program for teaching Christian Doctrine to four and five year old-pre-school children was begun. The new addition to the school building provides a library, an audio visual room, principals' office, storage room, two new classrooms, a greatly enlarged auditorium, kitchen and other modern facilities.

There have been 15 sisters as principals from 1917 and 2 lay people. Today, St. Margaret's continues to be the "Heart of North Buffalo" with Msgr. James Kelly as Pastor and Mrs. Toni Marie Di Leo as Principal.