Church of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Windham, N.Y., Catskill Mts.
Windham, Greene County
Vintage Catskills postcard of the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus church at Windham in Greene County, New York. The postcard was published by George Greenberg & Son at Catskill, New York. The postcard was never mailed.
St. Theresa’s is a Roman Catholic church. The parish was founded in 1965, formerly being a mission church of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Roxbury. The event was noted in 1965 in the local newspaper: “The Rev. [Robert] Hart was appointed pastor of St. Theresa’s church in Windham. The new Windham parish was formerly part of the parish encompassing the Grand Gorge and Roxbury churches. Father Hart was pastor of the three churches. Under his direction a new church has recently been built in Windham following the destruction by fire of the original church two years ago.” (“Reception to Honor Pastors of 2 Charges.” Stamford Mirror-Recorder. Stamford, NY. March 17, 1965.)
As for the parish’s first pastor “Father Hart was educated at St. Paul the Apostles School in Troy, LaSalle Institute and Catholic Central High School. He attended St. Michael's College in Toronto and St Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, Yonkers. He was ordained in 1944 by the late Most Rev. Edmund F. Gibbons. He was assigned to St. Patrick's Church, Albany, and was assistant director of the Albany Diocese CYO, serving also as director of Camp Tekakwitha, Lake Luzerne, Catholic boys camp. In 1947 he was transferred to St. Mary's Church in Hudson, serving as assistant pastor there for more than 14 years.” (“Three Troy Priests Assigned in Seven Pastoral Changes of Albany Diocese.” The Times Record. Troy, NY. January 8, 1965.)
The church was led by Reverend Donald E. Doyle for over 30 years from 1972 to 2002. Today the church is currently led by Reverend Jay Atherton. It is also responsible for the mission church of St. Joseph’s at Ashland. Church attendance grows significantly during the summer as visitors flock to the northern Catskills. For more information about the church visit their website at sainttheresas.weebly.com/.
