In 1907, the 40 Catholic families in Eden organized and arranged to have the first Mass celebrated in town. It was said in a building on Green Street, now occupied by an antique shop and a beauty salon. Reverend Richard Burke, pastor of Most Precious Blood in Angola, officiated. In 1908, Bishop Charles H. Colton, from Buffalo, sent Reverend Hyainthy Cocola to establish a parish. The lot on Main and Park Street was purchased and the cornerstone was laid on September 20th. The finished church held 300 people and was dedicated by Bishop Colton on December 8th of the year.
In 1911, a house on Second Street was purchased for a rectory. It served until 1947, when the house next to the church was bought. That was sold in 1989, when the rectory was moved to its present location. A Certificate of Incorporation was issued in 1912. The present cemetery was also purchased that year.
By 1924, the parish had grown to 90 families and reverend James Mullins became pastor. Improvements were made in the church, such as a new altar, pews, and pipe organ.
Reverend Norman George was installed as pastor in 1950. Since there were now 135 families, a third Mass was added. In 1951, a 6:30 A.M. Mass was required to accommodate the farm workers.
By 1951, Father George was looking at a need for a larger church. 32.7 acres on the south side of Park Street were purchased, with a donation from M/M Frank Meyers. In 1952, the property was blessed and a large cross was placed on the hill, behind the site of the present church. Ground was broken for the new church and six room school on May 12, 1957 by Auxiliary Bishop Leo R. Smith. On May 8, 1958, Bishop Smith returned to bless and seal the cornerstone for the new buildings.
The first Mass was celebrated at 8:30 A.M. on June 1, 1958, fittingly, First Communion Sunday. On December 8, 1958, a Mass of Dedication was celebrated.
The school opened in September 1958 with 83 students in grades 1-4. It was staffed by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, who also taught Religious Education with the help of High School girls.
The plan was to add one grade level each year until there were 8 grades. More rooms would be needed. In April 1960, ground was broken for six more rooms and a convent. In September, school opened for 154 students in six grades. The first eighth grade graduation was held in 1965.
In 1962, Reverend Leo Benker became pastor, and in 1967, Reverend William Doerflein succeeded him.
The Grey Nuns withdrew from the School in June 1971. It was feared the school would have to close, but a massive effort was put forth and two Sisters remained. Lay teachers were hired for the other grades 7 and 8 were sent to Eden Central. In 1983, the remaining Nuns left. Eventually, Pre-K and Kindergarten were added to the six grades. In 1995, Immaculate Conception School became The Regionalized School of the Immaculate Conception. It was supported by parishes of Immaculate Conception, Eden, St. Mary’s, East Eden, Holy Spirit, North Collins and St. Mary’s, New Oregon. The School was closed in June 2002, because of declining enrollment.
In 1982 the Sanctuary of the church was extensively remodeled. In 1983 a 75th Anniversary Celebration was held, starting on May 1st with a May Crowning, and ending on December 8th with the Mass of Immaculate Conception.
In June 1989, the Eden Cooperative Nursery School bought the old church, after renting it since 1970. At this time, the former convent was being remodeled for a parish center, offices and rectory. The old rectory was sold and Reverend Williams Zenns, who had been pastor since 1977 moved into his new quarters.
In August 1995, Father Zenns retired and Reverend David Peter came to Immaculate Conception Parish. Father Peter started saying daily Masses in the chapel, to save on the expense of heating the church during the week. However, the existing chapel proved to be too small. Father Peter solicited outside funds to refurbish and enlarge it. Bishop Henry Mansell blessed and dedicated the chapel on May 15, 1997.
On February 5, 2000, Father Walter Grabowski was appointed as the new Administrator. He was formally installed as pastor on May 3, 2000. Many additions have been made to the parish. 2004 – we planted blooming Pear Trees in the cemetery, 2005 – we dedicated the Jim and Mary Duffy Center and put air conditioning in the Church, 2006 – we added new entrances with extra gathering space between the school and the Church.
Reverend Francis Parella, SSP, came to ICC as weekend assistant in 1952. Except from 1958 to 1962 when he served his Order in Ohio, he assisted with Masses, as well as in many, many other capacities up until 2004 when he retired to Staten Island.
When Fr. John Kwiecien the Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in North Collins, was transferred to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Angola, April 2010, Holy Spirit Parish was linked with Immaculate Conception Parish of Eden. Fr. Walter Grabowski, was given the responsibility of being the Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, in addition to continuing as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish. As Pastor of both Parishes he worked to bring Parishes together, sharing and supporting many of their activities. The Parish Bulletins were combined and became one enhanced bulletin, serving both Parishes. The Pastoral Councils began meeting together to become more efficient, and improve the fellowship between both Parishes.
In 2016 a new more efficient heating system was installed in the church and school building, to better serve the many activities, held in the school.
August 31, 2017, Father Walter Grabowski became reassigned to St. Gabriel Parish of Elma, after having served Immaculate Conception Parish of Eden for seventeen years.
September 1, 2017, Father John Arogyasami, was appointed interim Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish and Holy Spirit Parish, while a search was carried out by the Diocese, for a new pastor to replace Fr. Walter Grabowski. Fr. John served in this capacity until April 30, 2018.
May 1, 2018, Fr. Dawid Krzeszowski, was appointed as the new Administrator of the two Parishes. Since his arrival several improvements have been made to Immaculate Conception Parish facilities both inside and outside. In June, 2018, a new sound system was installed in the church, which improved the ability of Parishioners to hear and understand all speakers. In March, 2019, both entrances of the church were completely remodeled with the new wall paneling as well as new lighting. In March, 2019 a new projector screen and audiovisual projection system, was installed in the Parish Hall, making it possible to show movies and provide the opportunities for the parish to present a wider variety of religious programs for the Parishioners. In April, 2019 a safety railing was installed, so the organist and other musicians can use the choir loft. In May, 2019 in the church parking lot area, the statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, St. Francis of Assisi and of Jesus, in the garden outside of the chapel were renovated. The air-conditioners in the hall between the church and school and in the chapel were replaced. After more than 20 years the rectory has been repainted and remodeled. Broken unites of air conditioners were replaced and the broken heater and boiler which caused flooding were replaced.
In October of 2019, the new website and Facebook page for both, Immaculate Conception Church as well as Holy Spirit Church, was developed to help the parishioners to stay conected and continue to grow as a faith community.