A former church rectory in northern Steuben County is now available to the general public as a conference and retreat center.
The stately building, known as the Kennedy House, is located on Chapel Street near Sacred Heart Church in Perkinsville. It has received an impressive makeover thanks to donations and volunteerism from Holy Family Parish, of which Sacred Heart is a part. The revamped facility officially opened in January 2005 and contains six bedrooms, a kitchen and a dining room, with the nearby church available for worship.
“We’re just starting to book dates,” said Kennedy House’s coordinator, Sister of St. Joseph Barbara Kuhn. She noted that a brochure is available for groups and individuals who seek meeting or lodging space at modest rates.
Perkinsville is conveniently located for a large portion of the Rochester Diocese, lying halfway between Elmira and Rochester and only a few miles off Interstate 390 in a beautiful, rural setting.
“It’s like a Currier and Ives print. If you have an idea of a rural church community, that’s it,” said Father Michael Schramel, pastor of Holy Family Parish, who came up with the idea to convert Kennedy House into its present function.
For inquiries about renting Kennedy House, call Sister Kuhn at 585/384-9679; Holy Family Parish at 585/728-2228; or e-mail hfcc@dor.org.
