H. O. P. E.
Holy Family Organization to Preserve and Endure
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Important Update:
H.O.P.E. is seeking permission to acquire and maintain Holy Family Church as a Catholic sacred space (ideally, as a shrine in honor of Servant of God Bishop Patrick James Byrne). The Vatican has requested H.O.P.E. demonstrate funding for the purchase, repair and maintainance of the church.
H.O.P.E. will provide evidence of this through pledges. There is a narrow time window; the evidence must be provided to the Vatican by mid-late summer 2026 in order for the preservation of Holy Family Church to be considered by the Vatican. Please consider making a pledge if you can; see our "Support" tab, or find an electronic pledge form here:
H.O.P.E. will not receive an extension or any second chances. If H.O.P.E. fails to demonstrate sufficient evidence to the Vatican by mid-late summer, then Holy Family Church could be sold to a secular buyer, and could be destroyed.
Our Mission:
To preserve Auburn, New York's Holy Family Church as a Catholic Sacred Space.
Our Goals:
Promote Catholic religious activities including prayer and occasional worship, as well as baptisms, funerals and weddings
Preserve, rehabilitate and restore the church to maintain its architectural and aesthetic features
Provide community education, lectures and tours
Celebrate sacred art and music
Support local ministry opportunities
Ideally, establish a shrine in honor of Servant of God, Bishop Patrick James Byrne
About Us:
H.O.P.E. is an organization, established and managed by Auburn NY Catholics.
Background:
The first Holy Family Church dates back to 1834, and the current church was built in 1861 as the first Catholic church in Auburn. It is known as the Mother Church of Auburn.
Located in the heart of Auburn, many people are connected to the church or pass by its walls daily. It is a magnificent reminder of God's presence in our community, and a testament to the deep faith of our ancestors.
The church has been closed to the public since the last mass on June 16, 2024. The reason for the closure has been attributed to safety concerns cited by the Diocese of Rochester, primarily relating to some areas of fallen facade and roof damage.
Our goal is to repair and restore the church, in order to maintain it as a Catholic sacred space for our present and future community. We feel that it would make a most appropriate shrine in honor of Servant of God Bishop Patrick James Byrne, whose faith was formed in Holy Family Church.
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