About Immaculate Conception · Marlborough, Massachusetts
Immaculate Conception Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Marlborough, Massachusetts, in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston. Founded in the mid-19th century to serve the Irish Catholic families drawn to Marlborough's shoe factories, today IC is a multilingual faith community in the Metrowest region that celebrates the sacraments in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Its mission, taken from Matthew 28:19, is to 'go and make disciples of all nations,' and the parish describes itself as striving to be authentic witnesses to a Church that is 'one, holy, catholic and apostolic.' With a 7:30 a.m. daily Mass, weekend Masses in three languages, and a robust religious education program, IC serves as the largest parish in Marlborough.
- Established
- 1854
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Steven Clemence
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception welcomes anyone seeking a Mass in English, Spanish, or Portuguese — a rare gift in Metrowest — with a full daily and weekend schedule, including a 7:30 a.m. daily Mass and a Saturday Vigil. The parish invests deeply in the next generation through its Religious Education program (Grades 1–6), the Immaculate Conception Youth Ministry (ICYM) for middle and high schoolers, RCIA for adults, Confirmation preparation, and an OCIA track for older children needing sacraments. A working St. Vincent de Paul conference, lay ministry opportunities (after Protecting God's Children training), a music ministry, and the parish's own history dating back to 1854 give newcomers real ways to belong, serve, and grow.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday — 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in English (Upper Church)
- Tuesday — 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Spanish (Upper Church)
- Thursday — 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Portuguese (Upper Church)
- Saturday — 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in all three languages (Lower Church)
- Other times by appointment (call Parish Office 508-485-0016)
Adoration times
- Monday through Saturday — 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. (before daily Mass) in the Lower Church
- First Friday — 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Lower Church
- First Saturday — 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in the Lower Church
Welcome & Parish Mission
Immaculate Conception Parish describes itself as a growing faith family in the Metrowest region of Massachusetts within the Archdiocese of Boston. Its stated mission is to 'go and make disciples of all nations' (Mt 28:19), and it aims to be an authentic witness to a Church that is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. The parish serves multiple ethnic groups and celebrates the sacraments in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Visitors are warmly invited to introduce themselves to the priest after Mass and to register as parishioners (forms are available at the back of the church, on the website, or by calling the parish office).
- Mission verse: Matthew 28:19 — 'Go and make disciples of all nations.'
- Trilingual sacramental life: English, Spanish, Portuguese
- Parish registration forms available in church and at icmarlboro.org
Parish History
From six Catholic families walking to Saxonville in 1848 to a parish of roughly 8,000 members by 1915, Immaculate Conception's story is closely entwined with Marlborough's 19th-century industrial growth. The first church on Charles Street was dedicated in 1854, the present Prospect Street church was completed in 1871, and a Sisters-of-St.-Joseph-staffed parish school opened in 1911. A new spire (175 feet) was added in 1886 and later rebuilt at a lower height after the 1938 hurricane. The parish celebrated its 150th anniversary in September 2003 with Archbishop O'Malley.
- 1848 — only six Catholic families in Marlborough
- 1850 — Bishop Fitzpatrick sends Father Edward Farrelly
- 1854 — first Mass celebrated at the Charles Street church
- 1868 — cornerstone laid for the present Prospect Street church
- 1871 — church dedicated by Archbishop Williams
- 1886 — 175-foot spire added under Father McKenna
- 1910–1911 — first parish school built and opened
- 1938 — Hurricane destroys the spire; it is rebuilt lower
- 1956 — second elementary school built under Msgr. Henry Evers
- 1960s — sanctuary reordered after Vatican II
- 2003 — 150th anniversary Mass celebrated by Archbishop O'Malley
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education program is built on the conviction that parents are the primary educators of their children and that 'to teach as Jesus taught' is its overarching goal. Classes for Grades 1–6 are held on Monday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Parish Building, 119 Washington Street, with music ministry beginning at 4:30 p.m. Both First Communion/First Reconciliation preparation and Confirmation preparation are two-year programs. Tuition is $80 per student for Grades 1–6 with a $190 family maximum, and $150 per year for Confirmation; tuition is waived for parents who volunteer as catechists.
- Grades 1–6 classes: Mondays 4:30–6:00 p.m., 119 Washington Street
- First Communion & Reconciliation — two-year preparation
- Confirmation preparation — two-year program (traditionally Grades 7–8)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) for older students needing sacraments
- Director of Religious Education: Mrs. Cecilia Melo
- Director of Faith Formation: Mr. Stephen Hanley
- Protecting God's Children training required for all volunteers
Youth Ministry & RCIA
ICYM (Immaculate Conception Youth Ministry) is a peer community for middle- and high-schoolers that meets on alternating Fridays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 119 Washington Street. Its three 'S's — Spiritual, Service, and Social — drive events that range from prayer gatherings and service projects to movie nights and adventure days. The parish also runs RCIA for adults inquiring into the Catholic faith.
- ICYM meetings — alternating Fridays, 6:00–9:00 p.m., 119 Washington Street
- Three pillars: Spiritual, Service, Social
- World Youth Day pilgrimage opportunities
- Confirmation program for Grades 7–8
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Sacraments
Immaculate Conception celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments on a regular schedule. Baptism is ordinarily celebrated the second Sunday of the month, with preparation classes for parents and godparents the Sunday before at 3:00 p.m. in the Lower Church. First Communion and Confirmation each require a two-year preparation program. Couples should contact the parish office at least six months before their intended wedding date. The Anointing of the Sick is available by calling the parish office, which also asks families to notify it of any hospitalization.
- Baptism — second Sunday of the month; prep class prior Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
- First Communion & Reconciliation — two-year program
- Confirmation — two-year program
- Marriage — contact parish office at least 6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment; notify parish of hospitalization
- Reconciliation — see weekly confession schedule
- Holy Communion for the homebound — call 508-485-0016
Music & Liturgical Life
The parish supports a Music Ministry under a Director of Music (most recently Ms. Gabriella Lindhurst, with Mr. Jason Gaudette serving in 2024 bulletins). The Music Ministry begins at 4:30 p.m. on Religious Education Mondays and is integral to parish liturgies across all three language communities.
- Director of Music — Ms. Gabriella Lindhurst
- Music Ministry begins at 4:30 p.m. on Religious Education Mondays
- Liturgies celebrated in English, Spanish, and Portuguese
Outreach & Charity
Immaculate Conception operates a St. Vincent de Paul conference for parishioners in need. The conference can be reached through a dedicated help line (978-763-0578) and email ([email protected]). The Religious Education program also runs the IC Family Lenten Service Project based on the Corporal Works of Mercy.
- St. Vincent de Paul Help Line — 978-763-0578
- SVdP email — [email protected]
- IC Family Lenten Service Project (Corporal Works of Mercy)
- Special parish collections for Catholic Charities, Maintenance & Development, and Support of the Church Around the World
Lay Ministry & Volunteering
The parish explicitly recruits volunteers for its Religious Education program, sacramental preparation, RCIA, and Vacation Bible School. All parish volunteers are required to participate in the Archdiocese's Protecting God's Children program before beginning service; new volunteers should contact the Director of Religious Education to sign up.
- Religious Education Instructor
- Religious Education Parent/Helper
- RCIA team
- Vacation Bible School volunteers
- Protecting God's Children training required for all volunteers
Parish Staff
The parish is served by Pastor Rev. Fr. Steven Clemence along with parochial vicars and a full lay staff, including dedicated secretaries for the Spanish and Brazilian/Portuguese communities. Two directors of music have served in recent years (Mr. Jason Gaudette in 2024 bulletins, Ms. Gabriella Lindhurst on the current staff page).
- Pastor — Rev. Fr. Steven Clemence
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Fr. Gabriel Hanley
- Rev. Fr. Kevin Pleitez
- Rev. Fr. Victor Vitug
- Director of Music — Ms. Gabriella Lindhurst
- Director of Religious Education — Mrs. Cecilia Melo
- Director of Faith Formation — Mr. Stephen Hanley
- Finance Manager — Mrs. Helena Siciliano
- Parish Secretary — Mrs. Lee Ann Rempelakis
- Spanish Secretary — Mrs. Franchesca Barrera / Mrs. Elizabeth Alcantar
- Brazilian Secretary — Mrs. M. Neurene O. de Menezes
- Project Manager — Ms. Andrea Ercolani
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Edward Farrelly1850–
Sent by Bishop Fitzpatrick in 1850 to minister to Marlborough's Catholics; celebrated first Mass in the new Charles Street church in November 1854.
- Father Walshby 1862
Purchased the Prospect Street land where the present church was built.
- Father John Collinsfrom 1864
First resident pastor of the parish.
- Father Michael T. Maguireafter 1864
Completed the basement church by 1870 and oversaw completion of the upper church.
- Father John Delahuntyafter July 1871
Purchased the rectory and beautified the church interior.
- Father James B. Donaganfrom April 1876
- Father Peter McKennafrom 1886
Added the tower bell and spire.
- Father Thomas B. Lowneyfrom 1896
Built the first parish school (1910); classes began 1911 under the Sisters of St. Joseph.
- Father James Phalanby July 1930
Requested Cardinal O'Connell's permission to expand the convent and refurbish the altars and organ.
- Rt. Rev. Monsignor Henry Eversby 1956
Built the second elementary school at Washington & Prospect and reordered the sanctuary to face the congregation after Vatican II.
- Monsignor William P. Sullivanfrom 1968
- Monsignor Francis X. Meehanfrom 1971
Retired while in office.
- Father Michael MacEwenby 2003
Pastor at the time of the parish's 150th anniversary in September 2003, when Archbishop O'Malley celebrated the opening Mass.