About Holy Trinity · Webster, New York
Church of the Most Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic parish in Webster, New York, within the Diocese of Rochester, tracing its origins to 1859 when German immigrant families in Webster — unable to make the journey to Rochester's St. Joseph German parish — gathered for Mass with Redemptorist missionary Father Francis N. VanEmstede, CSsR. The cornerstone on Ridge Road was laid in 1861, the present-day church at 1460 Ridge Road was completed and dedicated in 1901 (on the feast of the Most Holy Trinity), and the parish continues to serve Webster and the surrounding communities with daily and weekend Masses, the sacraments, faith formation, and a Spanish-language liturgy. In 2024 and 2025 the parish is observing its 165th anniversary of evangelization, marking 165 years as a spiritual home where faith has been nurtured and generations brought together in Christ.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- Most Holy Trinity
- Rector
- Rev. Jorge Ramírez
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
Holy Trinity is a long-established Catholic faith community in the heart of Webster where families have worshipped continuously since 1859. The parish offers an unusually rich sacramental life — daily 8:30 a.m. Mass Monday through Friday, a Saturday Vigil at 4:30 p.m., two Sunday Masses (8:30 and 10:30 a.m.), a Spanish Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and weekly confession — together with a faith formation program for children (Pre-K through Confirmation), a Youth Ministry, an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for those becoming Catholic, and a live-stream ministry that lets homebound parishioners stay connected. With its own cemetery, active pastoral and maintenance volunteers, and 165 years of parish life in the Diocese of Rochester, it is a place where newcomers quickly become part of the family.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Tuesday 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (October through June; no Tuesday confessions July – September)
- By appointment with a priest
Adoration times
- Thursday 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Eucharistic Adoration)
History of Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity was founded by German immigrants who settled in Webster and were unable to travel to St. Joseph, the German parish of Rochester. The community's first Mass was celebrated by Fr. Francis N. VanEmstede, CSsR, on May 22, 1859, in the State Road home of the widow of Ignatius Eichhorn. The founding families — 45 in number from Webster, Ontario, Penfield and Walworth — pooled $300 to begin building. The cornerstone on Ridge Road was laid on May 26, 1861, the building was dedicated three months later on August 5, and in 1866 six additional acres were purchased for the parish cemetery. The first resident pastor, Father A. Hechinger, was appointed in 1867.
- First Mass: May 22, 1859 — celebrated by Fr. Francis N. VanEmstede, CSsR
- First baptism: John Kasper, May 22, 1859
- First marriage in the parish: John Adam Miller & Anna Dorothy Lintner, April 11, 1861
- Cornerstone laid: May 26, 1861 by Fr. Peter (Thaddaeus) Alexander, CSsR
- Church dedicated: August 5, 1861
- Cemetery land acquired: 1866
- First resident pastor: Fr. A. Hechinger, appointed 1867
- Original 1861 church torn down: 1926
- School building opened: 1927
- Current church at 1460 Ridge Rd. completed and dedicated: 1901, on the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity
- 165th anniversary being observed 2024–2026
Parish Mission Statement
Our Mission: We are a Catholic faith community blessed with the joy of God's love. Together we share this love with all who hunger for God's presence in their lives. We follow Christ who taught us to find God by giving our lives in service to others and gathering to celebrate a Eucharist that welcomes everyone. Join us on this journey!
Clergy and Parish Staff
Holy Trinity is served by Pastor Rev. Jorge Ramírez ([email protected]), with Rev. John Mulligan in residence and Deacon Gary Terrana assisting. The parish office team includes Helen Sleeman (Office Manager), Julia McMahon (Administrative Assistant), Joanne Mix (Receptionist), and Natalie Peek. Mary Kramer coordinates the OCIA/CASE program for adults becoming Catholic, and Iván Loqueño-Tlayeca directs Confirmation and Youth Ministry. Linda Carson is the parish organist.
- Rev. Jorge Ramírez — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. John Mulligan — Priest in Residence
- Deacon Gary Terrana — [email protected]
- Helen Sleeman — Office Manager ([email protected], ext. 337)
- Julia McMahon — Administrative Assistant ([email protected], ext. 302)
- Joanne Mix — Receptionist ([email protected], ext. 301)
- Mary Kramer — OCIA/CASE Coordinator ([email protected], ext. 306)
- Iván Loqueño-Tlayeca — Confirmation & Youth Ministry ([email protected], ext. 328)
- Linda Carson — Organist ([email protected])
- Natalie Peek — General Office Help contact
- Phil Marr — Parish webmaster ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation offers Sunday and Family programs for Grades 1–7, two-year Sacrament Preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion (Grade 2+), and two-year Confirmation Preparation for youth in Grade 8+. Children's Liturgy of the Word is celebrated Sundays (October–June) at the 10:30 a.m. Mass for Grades Pre-K–3.
- Religious Education for Grades 1–7 (Sunday Program & Family Program)
- First Penance and First Holy Communion preparation (two-year, Grade 2+)
- Confirmation Preparation (two-year, Grade 8+)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (Grades Pre-K–3, Sundays Oct.–June)
- OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation for Children ages 7–17
- Registration for Fall opens each year (limited capacity in Sunday Program)
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Adults who wish to become Catholic are invited into the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), coordinated by Mary Kramer in cooperation with Fr. Jorge Ramírez. Children and teens ages 7–17 enter through the OCIC track. Holy Trinity regularly welcomes catechumens and candidates at the Easter Vigil.
- OCIA for adults — contact Mary Kramer at [email protected]
- OCIC for children and youth ages 7–17
- Preparation culminates at the Easter Vigil with Baptism, Eucharist and/or Confirmation
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry at Holy Trinity is led by Iván Loqueño-Tlayeca (Confirmation & Youth Ministry, ext. 328). It includes a Senior High youth group that meets weekly in the Youth Room to talk, pray, and eat, periodic retreats at Camp Stella Maris, and family fellowship events throughout the year. Parents are asked to encourage teens to join the Sunday Youth Conversation, since 'Holy Trinity can plan, but you have to encourage.'
- Senior High Youth Group (weekly meetings in the Youth Room)
- Youth Retreats at Camp Stella Maris
- Junior High activities planning (Grades 6–8)
- Family fellowship events across the year
Sacraments
Holy Trinity prepares and celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptisms are arranged through the Parish Office. Confession is heard weekly (see Mass & Confession section) or by appointment. Couples registered in the parish are asked to make arrangements at least six months in advance for Marriage and complete Pre-Cana and the Fully Engaged inventory. The Anointing of the Sick and homebound Communion are available upon request.
- Baptism — Parish Office, 585-265-1616
- Penance — weekly schedule + by appointment
- First Eucharist and First Penance (two-year preparation)
- Confirmation (two-year preparation for Grade 8+)
- Marriage — 6 months advance notice; Pre-Cana & Fully Engaged required
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion for the homebound
- Hospital visits — notify the Parish Office
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at Holy Trinity is led by Organist Linda Carson. Weekend and weekday Masses, as well as many special-event liturgies, are live-streamed by a volunteer videography team so that homebound parishioners can remain part of the parish family. Ushers and Greeters serve on a rotational basis, and the parish continues to welcome new volunteers to all liturgical ministries.
- Parish Organist: Linda Carson
- Volunteer Videography / Livestream team (open to 11th grade and older)
- Ushers (rotational; contact Gary Smith)
- Greeters
- Children's Liturgy of the Word leaders
Parish Cemetery
Holy Trinity Parish maintains its own cemetery, a tradition that reaches back to 1866 when six acres were purchased adjoining the church grounds. The parish publishes seasonal road notices for winter months, warning visitors that cemetery roads may be closed when snow-covered or icy for safety.
- Cemetery established 1866 with purchase of six acres
- Winter road advisories published in the parish bulletin
- Pastoral Care available for cemetery-related needs
Parish Office and Building Hours
Parish Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m., and Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Building hours are Sunday 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., and Saturday 2:00–6:00 p.m. Pastoral emergencies after office hours are handled by dialing (315) 604-8070.
- Parish phone: (585) 265-1616; fax (585) 265-1627
- Pastoral emergencies after hours: (315) 604-8070
- General email: [email protected]
Get Involved — Ministries and Volunteer Opportunities
Holy Trinity's life is built by its volunteers. Opportunities include serving on the Pastoral Council or Facilities Committee, joining the Landscaping and Gardening Committee, helping with General Office Help (phones, mailings, data entry), assisting with General Maintenance (mowing, cleaning, simple repairs), live-stream videography, ushers and greeters, music ministry, faith formation catechists, and youth ministry leaders. The parish's mission statement puts it succinctly: 'We follow Christ who taught us to find God by giving our lives in service to others.'
- Pastoral Council
- Facilities Committee
- Landscaping and Gardening Committee
- General Office Help (contact Natalie Peek)
- General Maintenance Help (contact Helen Sleeman)
- Ushers (contact Gary Smith)
- Videography / Livestream team (contact Helen Sleeman)
- Music Ministry (Organist Linda Carson)
- Faith Formation catechists (Grades 1–7)
- Youth Ministry (Senior High, Junior High planning)
Diocese of Rochester
Holy Trinity is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, which serves 12 New York State counties across 7 deaneries and a Catholic population of approximately 300,000. From 1859 to 1868 the parish was part of the Diocese of Buffalo; the Diocese of Rochester was then established and Holy Trinity came under its care. The parish participates in the annual Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA), the diocese-wide campaign that supports ministries throughout the region.
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
- Located in Monroe County
- Diocese serves Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, Steuben, Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Chemung, Tioga, Yates counties
- Annual CMA (Catholic Ministries Appeal) supported by the parish
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Francis N. VanEmstede, CSsR1859 (celebrated first Mass)
Redemptorist missionary who celebrated the community's first Mass on May 22, 1859 in the State Road home of the widow of Ignatius Eichhorn.
- Father Peter (Thaddaeus) Alexander, CSsR1861
Rector of Rochester's St. Joseph Church; laid the cornerstone on May 26, 1861.
- Father A. Hechinger1867 onward
Appointed as the parish's first resident pastor in 1867.
- Fr. Tim
Referenced in parish Mass Intentions — 3rd anniversary remembrance in July 2026 bulletin.
- Fr. George
Referenced in OCIA/RCIA listings as '[email protected]' and bulletins address OCIA inquiries to 'Fr. George'.
- Fr. Michatek
Honored at Mass June (retirement); pastor previously honored by the parish at its 150th anniversary celebrations.
- Rev. Jorge RamírezCurrent
Current Pastor; oversees the parish's 165th anniversary celebrations.