Father Fee sensed in 1959 that it was time to build: the lovely small church built in 1900 seated just over 300; the School (built in 1928) needed more classrooms; the greater number of classrooms would demand more teachers and, hence, more convent space; and the rectory which had never been large enough, would in any event be demolished if a larger church were to be built.

With Father Fee’s leadership and much work and sacrifice on the part of St. Boniface lay people, a fund-raising campaign began in 1960.

The Parish continued to prosper and to grow, and as one observer from outside the Parish Family noted, Father Fee played “a dignified and important role in Sea Cliff”, as well as in the St. Boniface community. Father Fee was and still continues to be Chaplain of the North Shore Firemen’s Holy Name Society.

The present church building at St. Boniface Parish, the second to stand at the same location, was dedicated in a solemn ceremony held there on May 3, 1964.  The first Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Walter P. Kellenberg, D.D., presided, and the sermon was preached by Auxiliary Bishop Vincent J. Baldwin, who had  been Pastor at St. Boniface in the early 1950’s.  The new church replaced the first church, which had been dedicated on April 22, 1900 by Bishop McDonnell.

Dedication of the Church, Souvenir Program 3May1964

https://www.saintboniface.org/2013/11/27/3368/