About Our Lady of Good Counsel · Staten Island, New York
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a Roman Catholic parish in the Tompkinsville neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, founded in 1898 by the Augustinian Friars (Order of St. Augustine). The parish serves approximately 1,500 registered families and welcomes a broad, ethnically diverse North Shore community with both English- and Spanish-language Masses. Its current church, dedicated by Cardinal Terence Cooke in 1968, is noted for award-winning modernist architecture, while the attached school building — the original 1899 structure — continues to educate local children. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of New York; in July 2016 the Augustinians formally handed administration of the parish over to the Archdiocese after 118 years.
- Established
- 1898
- Patron
- Our Lady of Good Counsel
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New York
Why belong here
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a bilingual, family-centered parish with a 125-year Catholic heritage in Tompkinsville. Families are drawn to its award-winning church, thriving parish school, Religious Education program for Pre-K through teens, Spanish-language Masses, food pantry, prayer groups and bereavement ministry — all served by a welcoming community that mirrors the social, ethnic and economic diversity of Staten Island's North Shore.
Mass times at Our Lady of Good Counsel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- First Friday 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
About Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a parish church and school founded in 1898 by the Augustinian friars in the Tompkinsville neighborhood of Staten Island. About 1,500 families are registered with the parish, which serves a broad cross-section of the North Shore community through both English- and Spanish-language Masses and a range of outreach and support programs.
- Founded 1898 by the Augustinians
- Approximately 1,500 registered families
- Bilingual English / Spanish services
- Located in Tompkinsville, Staten Island
History of the Parish
The Augustinian Friars established the parish on May 30, 1899. A chapel within the Augustinian Academy on St. Paul's Avenue was dedicated February 2, 1902, and the parish was served by founding pastor Nicholas J. Murphy, O.S.A., and then by the Irish-born missionary Rev. B.E. Daly, O.S.A., from 1910. The modern church, designed by Genovese & Maddalene, was dedicated by Cardinal Terence Cooke in 1968. After 118 years of Augustinian leadership, the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova transferred administration to the Archdiocese of New York effective July 1, 2016, with Bishop John O'Hara serving as Episcopal Vicar for the transition.
- 1899 – Parish established; first Mass November 12, 1899, in McRobert's Hall
- 1902 – Chapel dedicated in the Augustinian Academy
- 1910 – Rev. B.E. Daly, O.S.A. appointed second pastor
- 1964 – New church design wins second prize in St. Louis liturgical exhibition
- 1968 – Modern church dedicated by Cardinal Terence Cooke
- 1969 – Augustinian Academy closes
- 2016 – Augustinians withdraw; Archdiocese of New York takes over administration
Architecture of the Church
The current church, designed by the firm Genovese & Maddalene of Glen Rock, New Jersey, received widespread recognition for its design when it was built. It was dedicated by Cardinal Cooke in 1968 and remains one of the most architecturally acclaimed mid-century Catholic churches on Staten Island.
- Architect: Genovese & Maddalene (Glen Rock, NJ)
- Second prize, 1964 Liturgical Week Architectural Exhibition, St. Louis, MO
- Architectural Award of Merit, Liturgical Arts Guild of Southern New Jersey
- Tied for first, 7th Annual Building Competition, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
- Dedicated April 26, 1968, by Cardinal Terence Cooke
Religious Education & RCIA
The Religious Education Office (42 Austin Place) coordinates classes for parish children and teens. The General Program covers Pre-K through 6th grade, with a separate track for 7th graders and Teen RCIA in the evening.
- Pre-K – 6th grade: Wednesdays 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- 7th Grade and Teen RCIA: Wednesdays 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Office: 42 Austin Place, Staten Island, NY 10304
- Phone: (718) 815-7262 • Email: [email protected]
Parish School
Our Lady of Good Counsel School shares the historic 1899 building on Austin Place with parish offices. The school marked its centennial in March 2024 with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, joined by the superintendent of Catholic schools, the regional superintendent of Staten Island Catholic schools, and Borough President Vito Fossella. Principal Tara Hynes has led the school for nine years, and the community is widely described as family-centered and academically strong.
- Our Lady of Good Counsel School / Escuela OLGC
- Address: 42 Austin Place, Staten Island, NY 10304
- Phone: (718) 447-7260
- Centennial celebrated March 2024
Parish Ministries & Outreach
After the Augustinians withdrew, parish ministries have been overseen by parishioners. Outreach efforts impact both Staten Island and communities off the Island.
- Food pantry
- Prayer groups
- Bereavement ministry
Merged Parish Structure & Worship Sites
Our Lady of Good Counsel is administered together with neighboring parishes under the title 'Parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel – St. Peter – St. Paul – Assumption.' St. Peter Church at 53 St. Marks Place is an additional worship site for the combined community.
- St. Peter Church – 53 St. Marks Place, Staten Island, NY 10301 – (718) 727-2672
- Main Office: 10 Austin Place, Staten Island, NY 10304
Contact
Parishioners and visitors may reach the parish office by phone, fax, email or postal mail. Religious Education and school offices are housed at 42 Austin Place.
- Parish Office: 10 Austin Place, Staten Island, NY 10304
- Phone: (718) 447-1503 • Fax: (718) 447-7361
- Email: [email protected]
- Religious Education: [email protected] • (718) 815-7262
- School: (718) 447-7260
- Facebook: facebook.com/groups/OLGC.SI
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Nicholas J. Murphy, O.S.A.1899–1910
First pastor; founding Augustinian.
- Rev. B.E. Daly, O.S.A.1910–
Second pastor; Irish-born missionary appointed December 22, 1910.