History and Photos

Our current church building was constructed and dedicated in October, 2002.

Also that year, the original church, which served the community for 34 years, was closed and demolished.

The banner on the front of the old church reads "Family, Faith & Future - a new church for Immaculate Conception"

View Photo Galleries including the old church and new church contruction.

A Brief Overview Of Our Parish History

Beginning as the mission church of Saint Patrick’s in Nashua, Immaculate Conception was established as a parish on October 4, 1968 with Father William Kelley as pastor and about 200 families. There were 350 students enrolled in the religious education program, which was held in the church and private homes. Oscar Donati was the volunteer chairman. Father Kelley was reassigned in June of 1976 and Father John Sullivan was named pastor in September of 1976.

As the parish became larger, more Masses were added and the Oblate Fathers came to our aid. Father Lionel Boucher, O.M.I. and Father Paul Mayrand, O.M.I. became very involved in our parish community, helping with celebration of liturgies and officiating at baptisms and marriages. Father Paul even celebrated the 40th anniversary of his priesthood with us. The Oblates served in our parish until 1984.

In 1971, due to the increased number of students in the religious education program, the original parish center was built and eight years later had to be enlarged. The church was also enlarged by the addition of the two wings at that time. The parish had doubled! In 1989, with the enrollment of the religious education program up to 900 children, the parish center was again rebuilt and it became known as the Spiritual Center. The new Spiritual Center is truly center to our religious education and many other parish activities and support groups.

The first parish rectory was located at 3 Vieckis Drive, across the street from the church. The rectory was soon too small to accommodate two priests and the parish office. In 1984, the present rectory was built during Father Sullivan’s illness.

Because of this, Father Ray Lamy, Associate, was very involved with the building committee. During the Pastor’s illness, Father Lamy acted as Administrator during that time. Father Paul Mayrand, O.M.I. helped the parish during that challenging period, and was called the Assistant Pastor. Everyone was saddened by Father John’s death in October 1984.

Father Denis Horan was appointed our new pastor in November. Father Denny continued to provide his special spiritual leadership to our parish family. From a small beginning, our community grew to 2600 families (1993). In 1993, at the time of the 25th anniversary, the Pastoral Staff included a pastor, an associate, a senior priest, an ordained deacon, and a director of religious education, a youth minister, three secretaries and two maintenance employees.

In June 1997, Father Denis Horan retired, and Father Marc Gagne became the parish’s new Pastor. Under his spiritual leadership, many ministries have been added to the parish life, such as the Life Ministries for all ages - Kid’s Life, Before Life, Lifeteen and Adult Life. One lasting change that Father Marc has brought will be the new house of worship, which we dedicate today for this generation, and for future generations to come. With a parish membership of 3,000 households, this church will be the spiritual home for our present parishioners, and future members of our faith community.

Tom Duston, Steve Marcoux and Michael Gendron served our parish as transitional deacons. Through the years, our parishioners have found themselves called to a life in the priesthood. Parishioner Rod Mc Rae was ordained in the Melkite order. Richard Saint Louis and John MacKenzie are priests of our diocese now.

In 2008, Fr. Marc was reassigned to the Catholic Community of Dover, NH and Fr. Robert Guillemette (Father Bob) took over as Pastor of Immaculate Conception. Also in 2008, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary with a grand celebration. And the future continues to unfold.