History

As the Catholic population increased in the 1800’s, families living in the area now defined as the Parish of St. Pius X traveled by carriage, farm wagon or on foot, the long distances to the Churches of St. Joseph, Our Lady of Angels in Albany, St. Francis de Sales in West Albany, St. Brigid or St. Patrick in Watervliet.

In the latter half of the 19th century, wealthy Albanians built spacious homes in the area we now know as Loudonville and employed as domestic staff young immigrants, many of whom came from Catholic Ireland. When these young people realized the difficulties involved in attending Mass, they began to seek employment in larger, more populated communities. Realizing the importance placed on accessibility to Mass and wishing to reduce the impact of the constant turnover in help, a group of Loudonville residents approached State Senator William T. Byrne, a fellow resident and a Catholic, to seek his help in finding a solution. One resident offered her home as a place where Sunday Mass could be said. Bishop Thomas F. Cusack, after reviewing the situation, approved the establishment of a mission chapel under the auspices of St. Francis de Sales Church in West Albany.

On April 15, 1916, Father James E. Kelly, Pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church, celebrated the first Mass in the Loudon Town Hall. In May 1916, Father Kelly, with the help of Miss Marion Rahill, conducted a census, which identified thirty to forty Catholic families living in or near Loudonville. This led to the signing of a certificate of incorporation of the Church of St. Pius V in Loudonville on June 15, 1916. The cornerstone of the mission chapel, constructed on Loudon Road, was laid on July 16, 1916, and the first service was held in the chapel in October of 1916. Father Thomas J. Loughlin succeeded Father Kelly as the spiritual leader; he in turn was succeeded by the Very Rev. John F. MacDonald, V.F.are further committed to serving this community through worship and spiritual development by providing support and guidance for all.

On September 23, 1951, Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons established St. Pius V as an independent parish and appointed the Rev. Gerald H. Kirwin as the first resident pastor. The rectory at 2 Fairview Road was acquired. Under the leadership of Father Kirwin, the physical plant of the parish as it exists today developed rapidly. On May 29, 1954, the date of the canonization of St. Pius X, the cornerstone of the church/auditorium was laid: shortly thereafter, the parish, originally named St. Pius V, was dedicated to St. Pius X. That autumn, services were held in the new building in what is now used as the school gymnasium. The school opened that fall with classes for kindergarten through grade 4; a grade was added each succeeding year. In 1959, the convent building was completed as a residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who staffed the school. In 1961, the west wing of the school was added to double the classroom space.

On September 25, 1969, Bishop Edwin B. Broderick dedicated the new St. Pius X Church. In 1970, Msgr. Gerald Kirwin resigned as pastor because of ill health and was succeeded by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph P. Conway, V.G. Msgr. Father Conway was succeeded in 1978 by the Rev. Thomas C. Brown who was succeeded in turn by the Very Rev. Michael A. Farano, V.G. On April 23, 1994, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard dedicated the new Parish Center. The center added 20,000 square feet of meeting, office, worship and classroom space. A new wing containing the current 3rd and 4th grade classrooms opened in September, 1997.