St. Bernadette's Catholic Church
Prior to 1960, except for the summer months, Catholics in the Hilltowns traveled to St. Lucy's in Altamont or Greenville for Mass. During the summer, Mass was celebrated at St. Mary's of the Lake at Warners Lake and St. Andrew's at Thompsons Lake by LaSalette priests who assisted the pastors of St. Lucy's in providing church services and pastoral care.
As the Catholic community in the Hilltowns grew, the need for a mission church became evident. Land was purchased across from the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School [See Note below] by Father Fitgerald, and in June of 1960 the cornerstone was laid under the direction of the new pastor, Father B. J. Dobzynski. In November 1961 Bishop William A. Scully blessed and dedicated the new church of St. Bernadette.
St. Bernadette's Catholic Church in the hamlet of Berne celebrated in fiftieth anniversary on June 15, 2010. Later this year it is scheduled to be be closed and worshipers will again attend church at St. Lucy's.
- Note: The land was the site of The Jacob Ball House, an early brick house that was torn down so the church could be built.
