Hornell’s St. Ann’s Church is headed to an exciting culmination to a yearlong celebration of its 175th Jubilee with the creation of an Eric Jones sand sculpture depicting the historic Roman Catholic church and a mass led by the bishop of the Rochester Diocese.
Jones, a nationally recognized caricature artist and sculptor, will sculpt an approximately 8-foot-long by 8-foot-high sand sculpture of St. Ann’s on Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24.
The public is invited to stop by and watch Jones work. The sculpture will be created across the street from the church, which is located at 27 Erie Ave.
Jones has created sand sculptures this summer for the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally and for the Fourth of July celebration in Belmont, where his sculptured featured Scio Medal of Honor recipient Jason L. Dunham.
St. Ann’s Church will officially conclude its 175th Jubilee Anniversary on Sunday, July 26.
The Most Reverend John S. Bonnici, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Rochester, will celebrate Mass at 10:45 a.m.
“There is a lot of excitement about the bishop making his first visit to Hornell,” said Mike Colomaio, co-chair of the Jubilee celebration.
Colomaio said some former church pastors are also expected to attend the Sunday mass.
A luncheon will follow at The Main Place, where historical photographs and items from the church archives will be on display.
Jubilee activities began in July 2025 and have provided parishioners and community members with opportunities to celebrate the church’s rich history.
Among the activities held throughout the anniversary year was a special prayer service at the original site of the first St. Ann’s Church at the corner of Cass and Buffalo streets. Father Benedict Bayer served as the church’s first pastor.
Additional anniversary activities have included guided church tours, displays of historic church memorabilia and family portraits for a new parish directory.
Parishioners have also contributed to a commemorative time capsule, which will be buried at the conclusion of the Jubilee celebration to preserve memories of the church and its community for future generations.
Colomaio said the plan calls for the time capsule to be opened in 25 years at St. Ann’s bicentennial observances.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: St. Ann’s Church celebrates 175 years with sand art, bishop’s visit
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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By Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune | USA TODAY Network
