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 renovated church, re-dedicated on March 24, 1985, by Bishop McGann, gave St. Boniface a stronger sense of active participation in the liturgy.  Further involvement with music was encouraged, and a musical director was hired.  The involvement of scores of Eucharistic Ministers and lectors were also enlisted.

Changes in the church itself included removal of the altar rail, creation of a permanent altar facing the people, addition of a wide but shallow sanctuary and a re-positioning of the pews to bring the congregation and celebrant closer together.  The original baptismal font was relocated to the sanctuary and the tabernacle was re-positioned to a place of prominence in the sanctuary.

Architectural history was preserved by refashioning the original marble altars into a single permanent altar, a substantial base for the tabernacle, and the eye-catching face of the ambo.  Original oakleaf fretwork from the communion rail adorned the wall above the tabernacle.”

– from “Touching Lives Across a Century”, published to celebrate the Centennial of St. Boniface Martyr Parish, 1998

Program, Rededication of the Church 24 March 1985

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/