AMSTERDAM — The Rev. John Medwid, a priest at St. Anthony's Church in Schenectady, will take over as the head of St. Mary's Church, effective Sept. 15.

The announcement was made during last weekend's masses and alleviated some of anxiety felt by St. Mary's parishioners over the retirement of the Rev. James Gulley, who had presided over the church for 27 years.

Gulley, 73, who retired at the beginning of the month, kept an aggressive schedule, saying Mass at least once per day, visiting sick parishioners at St. Mary's Hospital and counseling. Gulley also worked to keep St. Mary's Institute a thriving institution.

Medwid has family in Amsterdam and reportedly speaks Spanish.