St. John Nepomucene

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s a detailed history of St. John Nepomucene Church in Bayshore/Bohemia, NY ✨

Origins & Early Years (1869–1885)

  • 1869: The Catholic community in the Bohemia area first gathered for Mass in a one-room schoolhouse at Church Street and Smithtown Avenue. Tensions with local “Freethinker” Czech immigrants led to the congregation being expelled, forcing them into private homes for worship until they could build their own church

  • Mission Established: It started as a mission of St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Shore, with travelling priests celebrating Mass in homes and the schoolhouse

The “Little Church” (1885–1922)

  • December 1885: The cornerstone was laid and the first Mass was celebrated in the first church building—a modest wooden “Little Church” measuring 36×20 feet, seating about 104 people

  • 1886: The church cemetery was established

  • 1922 Renovation: The vestibule was expanded to widen the main entrance, shaping the rectangular footprint that still exists

Becoming an Independent Parish (1919)

  • 1919: Father Wenceslaus Kroupa became the first resident pastor, signifying the transition from mission to independent parish

Growth & Education (1927–1957)

  • 1927: A parochial school opened under the care of the School Sisters of Notre Dame

  • 1957: A fire destroyed the original school. The parish responded quickly and rebuilt, continuing to operate the school until 1992

The New Church Building (1981)

  • 1981: A larger modern church, designed to seat about 600, was constructed just steps from the original chapel. The cornerstone was laid this year

  • The historic 1885 building was repurposed as a youth center and meeting hall

Preserving the Past (2012)

  • April 2012: A fire damaged the interior of the old “Little Church.” Miraculously, the structure was saved, and restoration was made possible thanks to an anonymous donor. The renovation included a new copper roof and stucco exterior, preserving this important historical landmark

Historical Recognition

  • 2011: The Town of Islip erected a historical marker noting:

    “Mission of St. Patrick’s Bay Shore; First Mass Dec. 1885; Cemetery 1886; Resident Pastor 1919.”
    Located at 1140 Locust Avenue in Bohemia

Key Dates & Milestones

YearEvent

1869 First Mass in local schoolhouse

1885 “Little Church” built; first Mass in Dec

1886 Cemetery established

1919 First resident pastor appointed

1927 Parochial school opened

1957 School destroyed by fire and rebuilt

1981 New, larger church built; old church repurposed

2012 Fire in old church; restoration completed

This journey from makeshift gatherings to a thriving parish campus highlights the strong faith and resilience of the local Catholic community—anchored by generations of worship in that enduring “Little Church.”

Dino DiPietro