About Holy Ghost · Providence, Rhode Island
Holy Ghost Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 472 Atwells Avenue in the heart of Federal Hill, Providence's historic "Little Italy," in the Diocese of Providence. Founded in 1889 by the Missionaries of Saint Charles Borromeo (Scalabrinians) to serve Italian immigrants arriving in Rhode Island, it was the first Italian parish in southeastern New England. Today the parish is trilingual, celebrating Mass in English, Italian, and Spanish, and serves a multicultural community on Federal Hill alongside its sister parishes St. Mary and Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
- Established
- 1889
- Patron
- The Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit)
- Rector
- Reverend Francesco Francese
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Holy Ghost welcomes parishioners into a trilingual Catholic family on Federal Hill that has served Providence's Italian-American community since 1889 and now extends its arms to English- and Spanish-speaking neighbors. The parish offers daily Mass, an Italian Mass each Sunday, Eucharistic adoration and benediction on Wednesdays, three regular confession schedules, faith formation for children, RCIA-style evangelization through Sister Mariana Ramirez, and a roster of parish societies and outreach like the Haven of Hope baby-closet project supporting the Mother of Life Center. With weekly Masses in English, Italian, and Spanish and a Scalabrinian heritage that has given birth to more than a dozen parishes across Rhode Island, it remains a living bridge between immigrant past and present on Atwells Avenue.
Mass times at Holy Ghost
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM (concludes at Benediction)
- Saturday 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM
- Sunday 8:25 AM to 8:45 AM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
History & Heritage
Holy Ghost was founded on September 22, 1889 by the Missionaries of Saint Charles Borromeo (Scalabrinians) at the invitation of Bishop Matthew Harkins to care for Providence's Italian immigrants. It was the first Italian parish in southeastern New England and the seed from which eleven other Scalabrinian parishes grew in the Diocese of Providence. The parish's 1966 seventy-fifth anniversary history records its earliest years, when Italian worshipers gathered in the basement of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, then at Ivy Hall on Swiss Street, before moving to the corner of Knight Street and Atwells Avenue in 1901. The upper church was completed in 1909.
- Founded September 22, 1889 by Reverend Luigi Paroli, C.S.
- Established as 'The Corporation of the Church of the Holy Ghost of Rhode Island'
- Visited by Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini on Pentecost 1901
- Present church completed 1909 (architects Murphy, Hindle & Wright)
Architecture & Sacred Art
The present Holy Ghost church is a redbrick Italian Gothic edifice completed in 1909. Its facade is modeled on the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice, with a campanile echoing St. Mark's Basilica, and is adorned with limestone and terracotta inlays and sculptures. The tympanum above the main doors depicts the first Pentecost with the Virgin Mary at the center of the Apostles beneath a dove of the Holy Spirit; the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Madonna and Child appear above the side doors. A 1909 rose window with a dove at its center reinforces the parish's devotion to the Holy Spirit, and the three peaks of the facade are each crowned with a mini-cupola. Inside, Carrara marble, golden mosaics in the dome, and frescos commissioned by Father Flaminio Parenti shape the sanctuary.
- Italian Gothic style, redbrick with limestone and terracotta
- Facade modeled on Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (Venice)
- Campanile inspired by St. Mark's Basilica
- Interior renovation with Carrara marble, golden mosaics, and frescos (1939 jubilee campaign)
Parish Staff & Clergy
Holy Ghost is currently pastored by Reverend Francesco Francese, who was appointed by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin effective July 1, 2016 as Pastor of Holy Ghost and St. Mary Parishes and Administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Providence. He is assisted by Reverend Saji Thengumkudiyil, CP (in residence), Reverend Silvio DeNard, SdC (Italian Associate), Father Jorge Carmona (pastoral associate), and Sister Mariana Ramirez (evangelization). Lay staff include Mr. Zac Bishop (Office Administrator), Mrs. Claire Gruneburg (Financial Secretary), Mrs. Evelyn Corsetti (Financial Assistant), Mrs. Valerie Bishop (Religious Education Director & Wedding Coordinator), Mr. James Colson (Organist & Choir Director), and Sacristan Jose Lopez.
- Rev. Francesco Francese — Pastor
- Rev. Saji Thengumkudiyil, CP — In Residence
- Rev. Silvio DeNard, SdC — Italian Associate
- Father Jorge Carmona — Pastoral Associate
- Sister Mariana Ramirez — Evangelization
- Mrs. Valerie Bishop — Religious Education Director & Wedding Coordinator
- Mr. James Colson — Organist & Choir Director
Religious Education & Evangelization
Faith formation for children is coordinated by Mrs. Valerie Bishop, Religious Education Director and Wedding Coordinator. Parish evangelization is led by Sister Mariana Ramirez, and pastoral outreach is supported by Father Jorge Carmona. Together these programs continue the parish's Scalabrinian mission of welcoming newcomers and passing the Catholic faith to new generations.
- Religious Education for children (Valerie Bishop, Director)
- Evangelization (Sister Mariana Ramirez)
- Pastoral associate ministry (Father Jorge Carmona)
Parish Outreach: Haven of Hope
In September 2023 the parish dedicated 'Haven of Hope,' a baby-supplies storage and parenting-class space on the third floor of the Holy Ghost rectory, in partnership with the Mother of Life Center — a non-diocesan Catholic crisis pregnancy center located down the street on Atwells Avenue. Father Francesco Francese blessed the space together with representatives of the Mother of Life Center, the Congregation of Notre Dame Associates, and parishioners of Holy Ghost and St. Mary. The CND Associates assisted with shelving and bins; Father Jorge Carmona painted the rooms, Zac Bishop and Sacristan Jose Lopez handled the physical setup, and Valerie Bishop helped coordinate donations including handmade blankets for newborn infants.
- Haven of Hope on third floor of the rectory
- Partnership with Mother of Life Center, Atwells Avenue
- Storage for baby clothing and supplies for parenting-class mothers
- Support from CND Associates and Holy Ghost / St. Mary parishioners
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at Holy Ghost is led by Mr. James Colson, Organist and Choir Director. The parish is known for Italian-American musical traditions as well, including events coordinated by longtime parishioner Antonio Venditti with the band Ambrosiani, who have performed at parish reunions to preserve the Italian musical heritage of Federal Hill.
- Organist & Choir Director: Mr. James Colson
- Italian musical heritage preserved through bands such as Ambrosiani
- Coordinators include Antonio Venditti and parishioner volunteers
Federated Parishes on Federal Hill
Father Francesco Francese serves as pastor of a federation of Federal Hill parishes: Holy Ghost (472 Atwells Avenue), St. Mary Church, and as Administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. This federation allows the three historic Italian-rooted parishes to share clergy and resources while keeping their distinct identities, and it has enabled joint outreach such as the Haven of Hope project with the Mother of Life Center.
- Holy Ghost — 472 Atwells Avenue
- St. Mary Church (sister parish)
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel (administered by Father Francese)
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the rectory office by phone at (401) 421-3551 (fax 401-421-2615) or by email at [email protected]. The mailing address is 472 Atwells Avenue, Providence, RI 02909. Office hours are Monday through Wednesday 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday by appointment only. The office is closed for major holidays and during extreme weather.
- Phone: (401) 421-3551
- Fax: (401) 421-2615
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Wed 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM (Fri/Sat/Sun by appointment)
- Address: 472 Atwells Avenue, Providence, RI 02909
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Luigi Paroli, C.S. (Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo)1889–
Founding pastor; obtained permission from Bishop Matthew Harkins to establish the first Italian parish in southeastern New England.
- Reverend Flaminio Parenti, C.S.1922–c.1972
Longest-serving pastor (~50 years); launched the 'golden age' of Holy Ghost. Built the parish school and day care, the 1924 Italian Renaissance Revival rectory, founded the Society of the Holy Name and Children of Mary Society, and in 1939 commissioned Carrara marble, golden mosaics, and frescos for the interior beautification.
- Reverend Joseph Craddockby 2015
Pastoral leadership on Federal Hill in the mid-2010s; spoke at parish reunions about attracting younger families back to the parish.
- Reverend Francesco Franceseeffective July 1, 2016
Appointed by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin as Pastor of Holy Ghost and St. Mary Parishes, Providence, and Administrator of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Providence.