About American Martyrs · Bayside, New York
American Martyrs Roman Catholic Church is a diverse, welcoming parish in Bayside (Oakland Gardens), Queens, NY, founded in 1948 and named in honor of the North American Martyrs — the eight Jesuit missionaries who gave their lives spreading the Gospel in what is now New York State and Canada. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Brooklyn and is spiritually centered in the Word and the Eucharist, drawing together families, youth, seniors, and recent arrivals into one Catholic family. Its most distinctive feature is its iconic round church, the first of its kind in the Diocese of Brooklyn, designed after the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville, New York, and dedicated in 1968.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- The North American Martyrs (the eight Jesuit missionary-martyrs of New York and Canada)
- Rector
- Rev. Sean M. Suckiel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Brooklyn
Why belong here
American Martyrs is a diverse, family-oriented parish with deep roots in Bayside/Oakland Gardens since 1948, where you'll find a vibrant Religious Education program for grades 1–8, an Athletic Association offering soccer, basketball, baseball, swimming, volleyball, cheerleading, and more for K–12 youth, and fellowship groups for every age — from the Columbiettes and Knights of Columbus Council #14666 to a Women's Fellowship, Senior Citizens Club, Catholic War Veterans Post 1772, Book of the Month Club, and St. Vincent de Paul Society. Daily Mass is televised and livestreamed, weekday Adoration is open in Kateri Chapel from 9 AM to 3 PM, and the parish maintains a strong Catholic identity in the round, Auriesville-inspired church building — all reasons both lifelong Catholics and newcomers regularly call it home.
Mass times at American Martyrs
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Weekdays 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM — Kateri Chapel open for silent Adoration
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM — Holy Hour after the 8:30 AM Mass (livestreamed)
About American Martyrs Parish
American Martyrs is a diverse Catholic family in Bayside (Oakland Gardens), Queens, spiritually centered in the Word and the Eucharist. According to its mission statement, the parish is inspired by the faith and example of the North American Martyrs and the Blessed Mother, and works under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to spread the message of Jesus to all. The parish welcomes visitors and prospective parishioners alike, inviting them to register as members by calling the rectory.
- Mission: spiritually centered in the Word and the Eucharist
- A 'population of diversity and a family of believers seeking extraordinary lives in the love of Jesus Christ'
- Patrons: the North American Martyrs and the Blessed Mother
- Welcoming new parishioners — call the rectory to register
History of the Parish
Founded in 1948 after local Catholic families outgrew Our Lady of Lourdes in Queens Village, American Martyrs began with Masses in a hardware-store basement and grew into a parish with school, church, and a thriving community. The original 75th Anniversary Journal traces the journey from Father O'Brien stepping off the Q46 bus to a tenth pastor leading the parish through a global pandemic. A complete timeline is published on the parish website at amparish.org/history-of-american-martyrs.
- September 29, 1948 — parish officially founded
- October 10, 1948 — first Mass in the basement of Fred Kaiser's Hardware Store
- November 14, 1948 — first rectory purchased at Union Turnpike and Peck Avenue
- 1953 — parish school opens with 375 students (grades 1–6)
- November 24, 1968 — round church dedicated by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero
- June 2006 — American Martyrs School closes
- 2023 — 75th anniversary celebrated with commemorative journal
- July 2025 — parish partnership with Holy Family, Fresh Meadows, begins
Who Are the American Martyrs?
The parish is named for the eight Jesuit missionaries — known collectively as the North American Martyrs — who were killed while evangelizing among the Iroquois and Huron peoples in the 17th century. They include St. Isaac Jogues, St. Jean de Brébeuf, and their six companions. St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the 'Lily of the Mohawks' (canonized in 2012), is often associated with them, though she died of natural causes; her feast is July 14.
- Eight Jesuit missionaries martyred in New York and Canada
- St. Isaac Jogues and St. Jean de Brébeuf among them
- St. Kateri Tekakwitha (canonized 2012) honored alongside them
- The Round Church at American Martyrs is modeled on the Auriesville Shrine
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish maintains a rich devotional life centered on the Eucharist, Our Lady, and Divine Mercy. A daily Rosary for Peace is prayed after the 8:30 AM Mass, and two weekly novenas — Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Wednesdays and Divine Mercy on Fridays — are offered after the 8:30 AM Mass.
- Rosary for Peace — weekdays 9:00–9:30 AM
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena — Wednesdays after 8:30 AM Mass
- Divine Mercy Novena — Fridays after 8:30 AM Mass
- Saturday morning Prayer Service — 8:30–9:00 AM
Pastoral Staff & Clergy
Following the July 2025 parish partnership with Holy Family in Fresh Meadows, American Martyrs is served by a team of three priests plus a permanent deacon and lay staff. Rev. Sean M. Suckiel serves as Pastor; Rev. Peter J. Rayder (the parish's tenth pastor) and Rev. Ralph Edel serve as Parochial Vicars. Deacon Stanley Galazin continues in ministry, joined by Religious Education Coordinator Theresa Asche and Business Manager Patricia Adams.
- Rev. Sean M. Suckiel — Pastor
- Rev. Peter J. Rayder — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Ralph Edel — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. Stanley Galazin — Permanent Deacon
- Rev. Francis Asagba — In Residence (Pastor Emeritus)
- Theresa Asche — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Patricia Adams — Business Manager
Parish Partnership with Holy Family
As of July 2025, American Martyrs and Holy Family in Fresh Meadows (175-20 74th Avenue) entered a parish partnership, sharing clergy while remaining two distinct and independent parishes. The arrangement allows both communities to continue their worship, ministries, and identity while pooling priestly resources under one pastor.
- Effective July 2025
- American Martyrs (Bayside) + Holy Family (Fresh Meadows)
- Shared clergy; distinct parishes
- Rev. Sean M. Suckiel installed as Pastor
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments and offers pastoral care for the homebound. Baptisms are arranged through Deacon Stanley Galazin, who meets with families at least one month before the scheduled date. Marriages are prepared through the parish's in-home Pre-Cana program. The Anointing of the Sick is available for the seriously ill, and Communion is brought to those unable to attend Mass.
- Baptism
- First Communion & Confirmation (via Religious Education)
- Matrimony (with in-home Pre-Cana)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation (Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM or by appointment)
- Communion to the Homebound
Religious Education (CCD)
The American Martyrs School of Religious Education partners with parents — the 'first and foremost catechists' — to form children in the Roman Catholic faith from grades 1 through 8. Classes are offered on Sundays and Wednesdays during the academic year. All catechists are volunteers who complete the Diocese of Brooklyn's Safe Environment training (Protecting God's Children) and background checks.
- Director: Theresa Asche
- Classes for grades 1–8
- Wednesday and Sunday class schedules available
- Safe Environment / Protecting God's Children training required
- Phone: (718) 464-6411
Athletic Association
The volunteer-run American Martyrs Athletic Association provides parish and community youth (grades K–12) with organized sports in a faith-filled environment. The program aims to build self-worth, camaraderie, and the values of sharing the spotlight across a wide range of sports.
- Open to youth in grades K–12
- Sports: Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Flag Football, Track, Cheerleading, Swimming, Volleyball
- Volunteer-coached
- Facebook: AmericanMartyrsSports
Knights of Columbus & Columbiettes
The Fr. John J. Murray Knights of Columbus Council #14666 was founded on November 13, 2008, and meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 7:45 PM in the Father Murray Center (rectory lower level). The Columbiettes serve as the council's sister organization. Both councils are named in memory of Father Murray, the parish's beloved fifth pastor who died of cancer in 2007.
- Knights of Columbus Council #14666 — Fr. John J. Murray
- Founded November 13, 2008
- Meetings: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 7:45 PM, Father Murray Center
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: kofcam.weebly.com
- Sister council: Columbiettes
Other Parish Organizations & Fellowship
American Martyrs hosts a wide array of lay organizations for every age and interest. They include a Catholic War Veterans Post 1772, a St. Vincent de Paul Society, a Respect for Life Committee, a Women's Fellowship, a Senior Citizens Club, a Youth Fellowship, a Bereavement Ministry, and a Book of the Month Club that meets in the Murray Center.
- Catholic War Veterans Post 1772
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Respect for Life Committee
- Women's Fellowship
- Senior Citizens Club
- Youth Fellowship
- Bereavement Ministry
- Book of the Month Club
Facilities & Buildings
The parish campus includes the round main church, the Sullivan Center parish hall, the Murray Center (rectory lower level), the former parish school building, the Rectory (St. Kateri Tekakwitha Chapel), and a parking lot. An elevator installed during Father Frank Schwarz's pastorate made the church and Sullivan Center handicapped accessible.
- Round Church (main worship space, dedicated 1968)
- Sullivan Center (parish hall)
- Murray Center (rectory lower level, meeting space)
- St. Kateri Tekakwitha Chapel (in the Rectory)
- Former parish school building (school closed June 2006)
- On-site parking; handicapped-accessible elevator
Music & Liturgy
The parish worship space features an Allen Renaissance R-230 organ with MIDI division and Allen Smart Recorder — an installation praised by Msgr. Keppler as 'bringing in an orchestra every week.' Liturgical roles such as Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and Acolyte/Altar Server are filled by trained parishioners.
- Allen Renaissance R-230 organ
- MIDI division and Smart Recorder
- Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, and Acolytes drawn from the parish
Visit, Register & Contact
Visitors are warmly welcomed at any Mass. To register as a parishioner, call the rectory at (718) 464-4582 during office hours (9 AM – 4 PM weekdays, 9 AM – 3 PM Saturday). The parish is located at the corner of Union Turnpike and Bell Boulevard in Oakland Gardens, Queens.
- Rectory: 79-43 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11364
- Phone: (718) 464-4582 | Fax: (718) 464-5488
- CCD Office: (718) 464-6411
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM; Sat 9 AM–3 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William A. O'Brien1948–1954
Founding pastor; celebrated the first Mass in the basement of Fred Kaiser's Hardware Store on Union Turnpike; chose the parish name 'American Martyrs' to honor those who died for the faith.
- Rev. James J. Devlin1954–1959
Second pastor; acquired the property for the present church.
- Rev. Henry A. Byron1959–1963
Third pastor; built up the financial reserve for construction of the present church.
- Rev. Benjamin S. Yanderfrom September 1963
Fourth pastor; began construction of the round church, the first in the Diocese of Brooklyn, modeled after the Auriesville Shrine.
- Rev. John Murraymid-1970s
Fifth pastor; oversaw the building of Sullivan Center (the parish hall). Died of cancer on September 3, 2007; beloved by parishioners. The Knights of Columbus council at American Martyrs is named in his memory.
- Seventh Pastor (unnamed in 75th Journal excerpt)pre-1988
Succeeded Father Murray.
- Msgr. John F. KepplerMay 15, 1988 – February 2006
Seventh pastor; led major building campaigns and new ministries (St. Vincent de Paul, Respect for Life, Catholic War Veterans, bereavement, Pre-Cana); named Monsignor in 1999 by Pope John Paul II.
- Msgr. George Zatarga2006–2008
Eighth pastor; appointed by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio; established a Pastoral Planning Council.
- Rev. Frank L. SchwarzFebruary 2008 – July 2020
Ninth pastor; installed elevator for handicapped access, renovated church and school, renovated Rectory Chapel as St. Kateri Tekakwitha Chapel; supported founding of Knights of Columbus Council #14666.
- Rev. Peter J. RayderJuly 2020 – July 2025
Tenth pastor; led the parish through the COVID-19 pandemic and televised daily and Sunday Masses; now serves as Parochial Vicar under the new parish partnership.
- Rev. Sean M. Suckielfrom July 2025
Eleventh (current) pastor, installed under the parish partnership with Holy Family in Fresh Meadows.