Saints Cyril and Methodius were brothers born in 826 and 827 of Greek nobility. Both were known as Apostles of the Slavs and of the Southern Slavs. Cyril known as Constatin, was a philosopher who developed the Cyrilic alphabet for the Slavonic language. Both studied and taught philosophy at the University of Constantinople. In 861, the emperor sent them to convert Moravians in their native tongue. Bishop Methodius evangelized in Moravia, Bohemia, Pannonia and Poland. Methodius became Archbishop of Velehred, Czechoslovakia, but was imprisoned in 870 because he used Slavonic language in liturgy. Before his death in 885 in Moravia, he translated the Bible into Slavonic languages and pioneered the use of the local and vernacular languages in liturgical settings. Cyril died in 869 in Rome and may have been a Bishop, but may have died before his consecration.

 In 1901, the Catholics of Clarkson saw the beginning of their own parish after being served by neighboring priests from Olean and Heun who traveled to Clarkson and offered Masses at the public school.  Approximately 38 families comprised the original parish family when plans for the construction of a Clarkson church began and the cornerstone for the church was laid on August 15, 1902.  On Feb. 11, 1907, the Catholic congregation at Clarkson was formally incorporated under the title of SS. Cyril and Methodius.  The new congregation grew rapidly and a new rectory was built in 1918.  In 1920, the church building was enlarged with the addition of the Sanctuary and Sacristies.  In the early 1970’s it was determined that due to costly repairs and needed remodeling, a new church should be built.  The new church was consecrated in 1976, the bicentennial year of the United States.  Patriotic colors were chosen to complete the church’s interior:  red carpeting (replaced in 2021), white interior bricks, blue in the Blessed Mother’s shrine and a dominant color in the stained glass windows.  A new rectory connected to the church with a Parish Center was completed and blessed in 1993.