About Church of the Holy Spirit · Gloversville, New York
The Church of the Holy Spirit is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Albany located at 153 South Main Street in Gloversville, New York (Fulton–Montgomery County). It is the sole successor of the four previous Catholic parishes that once served Gloversville, formed in 2009 from the merger of Sacred Heart and St. Mary of Mt. Carmel on the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel site. The parish is distinguished by its Perpetual Adoration Chapel — open 24 hours a day, seven days a week — and is currently linked with Holy Trinity Church in neighboring Johnstown, sharing staff and ministry under one pastor.
- Established
- 2009
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Father Matthew Wetsel
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
The Church of the Holy Spirit offers a deeply Eucharistic, adoration-centered Catholic life — its Perpetual Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week — paired with a strong tradition of parish fellowship through the annual Fun Fest (parish bazaar), a free weekly community dinner called Friday's Table, and a vibrant youth ministry program for grades 6–12 that meets weekly in 'Spirit Central.' It is also a parish committed to social outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, homebound and hospital visitation, and a Grief Support Group, all under the pastoral care of a priest serving in linked ministry with neighboring Holy Trinity Church.
Mass times at Church of the Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 2:15 – 3:45 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except during Mass, Funerals, and Weddings)
Welcome & Identity
The Church of the Holy Spirit describes itself as 'an apostolic Christian community, sustained and fulfilled by Eucharistic worship offered to God the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit.' Located at 153 South Main Street in Gloversville, NY, it serves the Fulton–Montgomery County area. The parish warmly invites newcomers, inquirers, and returning Catholics to come pray, attend Mass, spend time in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, or join one of its many ministries.
- Parish tagline: 'apostolic Christian community, sustained and fulfilled by Eucharistic worship.'
- Location: 153 S. Main Street, Gloversville, NY 12078
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Parish History
The parish was formed in 2009 as the single successor to four former Gloversville parishes — St. Francis de Sales (closed 1976), St. Mary's (closed 1990), Sacred Heart (closed October 2009), and St. Mary of Mt. Carmel. Catholic life in Gloversville dates to 1873, when a church on West Street was purchased by local German-speaking Catholics and deeded to Bishop Francis McNeirney; Irish Catholics soon joined them. In 1921 Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons established both Sacred Heart (Kingsboro section) and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (for the Italian Catholic community); Sacred Heart's cornerstone was laid October 14, 1921, with the first Mass celebrated on Christmas Day 1921 under founding pastor Rev. Francis A. Kelley. Fr. Dominic Ottaviano organized the Italian parish the same year, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church was dedicated on July 16, 1930.
- March 22, 1873 — first Catholic church in Gloversville (West Street), German Catholics; Irish Catholics joined
- June 1921 — Sacred Heart Parish formed; cornerstone October 14, 1921; first Mass Christmas Day 1921
- October 13, 1921 — Bishop Gibbons appointed Fr. Dominic Ottaviano to organize the Italian Catholic parish
- July 16, 1930 — Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church dedicated
- June 24, 1990 — St. Mary's closed; community joined Mt. Carmel
- 2003 — Sacred Heart and St. Mary of Mt. Carmel linked, sharing a pastor
- October 2009 — Sacred Heart closed; Church of the Holy Spirit established on the former Mt. Carmel site
Parish Office
The parish office is located at 153 South Main Street. Office hours are Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.), with other times available by appointment. The phone number is (518) 725-3143 and the fax is (518) 725-7245. The office notes that it occasionally must close by noon, so visitors traveling from a distance should call ahead.
- Office address: 153 S. Main St., Gloversville, NY 12078
- Office hours: Mon & Wed 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (lunch 12–1 p.m.)
- Phone: (518) 725-3143 | Fax: (518) 725-7245
- Email: [email protected]
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Father Matthew Wetsel, who serves in a 'linked parish' arrangement with neighboring Holy Trinity Church in Johnstown, sharing staff and resources across both communities. Fr. Donald Czelusniak serves as Pastor Emeritus, and Deacon Richard Solar is listed as retired. Supporting the pastor is a small but committed lay staff and several volunteer ministry leaders.
- Pastor: Rev. Matthew Wetsel (Fr. Matt) — 518-725-3143, [email protected]
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Donald Czelusniak
- Deacon (Retired): Richard Solar
- Faith Formation & Youth Minister: Ann (Ann Marie) Simonson — 518-848-1986
- Pastoral Associate for Business Administration / Parish Cemetery Administration: Liz Anderson
- Secretary: Michelle Miller
- Office Assistant/Receptionist: Tricia Tauss
- Directors of Music: Sue Shrader and Paul Whitney
- Buildings & Grounds: Adam Valachovic, Michael Van Valkenburgh
- Cemetery Director (Mt. Carmel Cemetery): David Connolly
- Cemetery Caretaker (St. Anthony's Cemetery): John Sefcovic
Parish Life & Ministries
The parish frames its life around the Eucharist, but offers many ways to belong: liturgical service, faith formation for all ages, social-justice outreach, men's and women's groups, and the annual parish bazaar (Fun Fest). It encourages anyone with an idea for a new ministry to contact the office.
- Altar Servers (grades 2–12) — contact Betsy Hastings
- Lectors — contact Valerie Person
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Parish Choir (Music Directors: Sue Shrader and Paul Whitney)
- Faith Formation (K–5 Sundays)
- Youth Ministry (grades 6–8 Sun 6:00–7:00 p.m.; grades 9–12 Sun 7:15–8:15 p.m., in Spirit Central)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Friday's Table — free weekly community dinner
- Homebound Visitation / Communion of the Sick (lead: Michele Miller, John Sagan)
- Hospital Ministry
- Grief Support Group
- Funeral/Bereavement Ministry
- Finance Council and Pastoral Council
- Trustees (appointed by the pastor)
- Annual Fun Fest / Parish Bazaar
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith formation at Holy Spirit is described as 'a vital element of the Catholic life,' available not only to children but to all parishioners as they grow as Catholics. K–5 religious education meets on Sundays; the Youth Ministry Program runs Sunday evenings during the school year in Spirit Central (the parish's youth space), with separate sessions for grades 6–8 and grades 9–12, plus lock-ins, movie nights, retreats, community service, and teen-led mentorship. The youth ministry team is led by Ann Marie Simonson.
- K–5 Religious Education: Sundays
- Youth Ministry (grades 6–8): Sundays 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Youth Ministry (grades 9–12): Sundays 7:15–8:15 p.m.
- Location: Spirit Central
- Youth Minister: Ann Marie Simonson — (518) 848-1986
Sacraments
Holy Spirit celebrates all the usual Catholic sacraments either at the parish directly or through its linked-parish arrangement with Holy Trinity. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment with a lay minister or the pastor; Marriages and Anointing of the Sick are arranged with Fr. Matt Wetsel. Funeral planning is coordinated through the parish bereavement committee.
- Baptism — by appointment; contacts: Chris Nunn-Crane, Anne Solar, Fr. Matt Wetsel
- Marriage — by appointment with Fr. Matt Wetsel
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment with the pastor
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 2:15–3:45 p.m. and by appointment
- Funerals/Bereavement — by appointment with the committee
Cemetery Administration
The parish administers Catholic cemetery property as part of its broader mission, continuing a tradition carried over from the predecessor parishes. Cemetery administration is handled by Liz Anderson, the Pastoral Associate for Business Administration.
- Mt. Carmel Cemetery — Director: David Connolly
- St. Anthony's Cemetery — Caretaker: John Sefcovic
- Cemetery liaison: Liz Anderson
Outreach & Social Justice
The parish lives out Catholic social teaching through multiple outreach ministries. Friday's Table serves a free community dinner weekly, and the parish supports the local St. Vincent de Paul Society in serving, clothing, and feeding those in need. Additional outreach includes homebound visitation (Communion of the Sick), hospital ministry, and a Grief Support Group for those who have suffered loss.
- Friday's Table — free weekly dinner
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Homebound Visitation / Communion of the Sick
- Hospital Ministry
- Grief Support Group
Linked Parish Relationship with Holy Trinity
Church of the Holy Spirit operates in a 'linked parish' arrangement with Holy Trinity Church in Johnstown, NY, under the leadership of Pastor Father Matthew Wetsel. Many staff, councils, and ministries are shared between the two parishes. The Linked Parish Ministries document lists shared contact information and a combined schedule of daily Mass, with Tuesday and Wednesday daily Mass celebrated at Holy Trinity and Thursday and Friday at Holy Spirit, a 1st-Saturday-of-the-month alternating-location Mass, and Wednesday Devotionals rotating between the two churches.
- Pastor (both parishes): Fr. Matthew Wetsel
- Pastor Emeritus: Fr. Donald Czelusniak
- Linked Parish Office (reception): 518-725-3143
- Pastoral direct line: 518-762-2011 x2
- Wednesday Devotionals 3:00 p.m. — alternating locations
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (518) 725-3143 or [email protected], or by visiting the linked parish online contact form. The parish is located at 153 South Main Street in Gloversville, New York 12078, with worship, adoration, and parish office services detailed under Mass, Confession & Adoration Schedule above. Visitors from a distance are encouraged to call ahead because the office occasionally closes by noon.
- Address: 153 S. Main St., Gloversville, NY 12078
- Phone: (518) 725-3143
- Fax: (518) 725-7245
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: holyspirit12078.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis A. Kelley1921
First pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, appointed by Bishop Gibbons; cornerstone laid October 14, 1921; first Mass celebrated Christmas Day 1921.
- Rev. John McCallAfter 1921 (15-year tenure)
Succeeded Fr. Kelley at Sacred Heart; oversaw structural improvements including the 1931 parish hall.
- Rev. Dominic Ottaviano1921–1930+
Appointed October 13, 1921 by Bishop Gibbons to organize the Italian parish; purchased 149 S. Main St., built temporary chapel/rectory; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church dedicated July 16, 1930.