By Chris Chapman
Olean Times Herald

PORTVILLE - More than 100 years ago, a mission was established for Catholics in Portville to be able to worship without traveling into Olean.

According to one former parishioner, what began as a little mission church may have been the catalyst that brought unity to a town and village that was divided.

In 1882, just two years after enlarging the sanctuary of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean, Father John J. Hamel made the decision to build a mission church on Maple Street near the town of Portville. The history of Sacred Heart Parish had begun.

“The City Fathers weren’t happy about the decision of the placement,” Sacred Heart historian Joe McLarney said. “This area was outside of the town.”

At that time, Portville was much smaller than it is today. The town eventually expanded to include the church.

The founders may have had a problem with the location, but Father Hamel’s rationale, to avoid the occasional spring flooding of the Allegheny River, paid off for the parish.

“Sixty years after the building was built, the flood of 1942 hit the area hard,” Mr. McLarney said. “The church was spared - all except some water in the basement.”

During the time of that flood, the church was ministered to by Rev. J. Vincent Growney. After the flood, Rev. Growney proved to be a pivotal figure in uniting the town of Portville, Mr. McLarney said.

“Before the flood, there seemed to be a division between Catholics and non-Catholics in the area,” he said. “After the flood, Father Growney noticed that everybody had suffered. He had everybody in the church pitch in to help everyone. It brought everybody closer.”

Just 30 years later, the flood of 1972 caused devastation in the town. Yet again, the Sacred Heart Parish was spared. Again, this time under the leadership of Father Robert J. Manhardt, parishioners helped the town rebuild and recover.

“I guess you could say that, even before the days of Pope John’s (John Paul II) Ecumenical Spirit, Portville began the movement,” Mr. McLarney said.

More of the history of Sacred Heart can be found on the front lawn of the building. The bell that rang from the belfry of the church now has a place of prominence.

The bell, cast by the McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore, Md., was made possible by a donation from Portville resident Catharine Ward shortly after the church’s incorporation in 1909, according to a history compiled by Mr. McLarney.

The bell, cast by the McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore, Md., was made possible by a donation from Portville resident Catharine Ward shortly after the church’s incorporation in 1909, according to a history compiled by Mr. McLarney.

“The bell was sealed in the top of the church in 1914,” he said. “It stayed there until 2005, when it was removed and cleaned up.”

Now fully restored, the bell is still used in ceremonies held at the oratory, and will be used during the visit of the Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of the Buffalo Diocese .

During his visit, Mr. McLarney said the plan is to have Bishop Kmiec stop at two fountains in the village to bless them and to lay wreaths.

The fountains were dedicated to the memories of Father Growney and Father Manhardt.

Father Growney’s fountain is on the property of Portville Central School. He was an avid tennis player and was instrumental in the construction of the courts at the school, Mr. McLarney said.

Father Growney was the parish’s longest-serving priest, coming to Portville in 1923. He died in 1963, still in service to the parish.

He was a world traveler, Mr. McLarney said, traveling to Russia, India and other places.

The second fountain, near Route 417 in the village park, was dedicated to Father Manhardt.

“He was a community man, Mr. McLarney said. “He looked for anybody in this community to help at any time.”

Father Manhardt served as pastor from the time Father Growney died in 1963 until his own death in 1976.

In 2003, Sacred Heart and St. Mary of the Angels merged under the direction of Fr. Gregory Dobson. The “twining” of the churches was a way to address a priest shortage in the diocese, Fr. Dobson told the Times Herald in a 2003 interview.

In the 2007 restructuring of the Buffalo Diocese, Sacred Heart returned to the church that gave it life, as it was closed as a church, but remained open as Sacred Heart Oratory, under the care of the St. Mary of the Angels parish.

During the ceremonies Sunday, Maple Street will be limited to one-way traffic, allowing vehicles to flow toward Depot Street. Parking will be available on the side of Maple and Depot streets. These restrictions will be in place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.