August 12, 2026

By Susan Mende
For the North Country Catholic

Carnival games, food, music, Mass and more are planned for the 150th anniversary of St. Mary’s Church in Canton.

The day-long celebration is set for August 15 and is open to area Catholics as well as the general public.

“It’s important to celebrate anniversaries,” said Father Bryan D. Stitt, parish pastor. “Having events, having celebrations like this, reminds us that we’re part of so much more.”

Festivities begin with free carnival games from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Powers Street which will be closed to vehicles. The radio station PAC 93 will broadcast at the event for two hours.

Good Guy Productions provides some typical fair games along with three inflatable games including soccer, basketball and an obstacle course racing game. In case of inclement weather some of the games will be available in the Parish Center.

Lena the Lizard Lady from Hermon will display her lizards and other reptiles which children will get a chance to touch. Children will also have a chance to board a fire truck from the Canton Volunteer Fire Department.

Free popcorn and funnel cakes will be available. Mullin’s food truck will sell burgers, fries and other summer foods. Lemonade Slushies will also be available for purchase.

At 4 p.m. inside the historic church, Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Terry R. LaValley with Bishop Douglas J. Lucia preaching and other priests concelebrating. It will be followed by a 5 p.m. outdoor procession with the statue of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. a picnic will be held on the church’s front lawn where tents will be set up.

Members of the Knights of Columbus and other volunteers will prepare the picnic meal, available at no charge. The menu includes burgers, Italian sausages, salad, chips, lemonade and ice cream sundaes.

Members of the Canton Goldenaires Barbershop Quartet will perform, beginning at 6 p.m.

Presentations will include a proclamation by Village Mayor Michael Dalton.

Copies of a newly published church history book will be for sale. The book, designed to be a coffee table publication, tells the church’s history through artwork, human interest stories, and many photographs.

“I couldn’t have imagined this book to come out as clear and as beautiful as it is,” Father Stitt said. “We wanted to get data and history in there, but we also wanted it to be a story book.”

The book was compiled by volunteers from the parish who researched the church’s history including its stained-glass windows, organ and statues.

Parking will be available at the church parking lot and at the St. Lawrence County Courthouse parking lot.

A century after the United States won its independence, Catholics in Canton celebrated their own milestone: the completion and dedication of the present-day St. Mary’s Church.

After two years of construction, the beautiful stone building on Court Street was dedicated August 15, 1876.