About Saints John and Paul · Coventry, Rhode Island
Saints John and Paul is a Roman Catholic parish in central Coventry, Rhode Island, in the Diocese of Providence, established in the fall of 1955 and now serving more than 4,800 families across western Coventry up to the Connecticut, West Greenwich, Hopkinton, and Exeter borders. The parish describes itself as a faith-sharing community endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, cherishing faith, hope, and love through the sacramental life of the Church, family life, Catholic education, youth formation, justice, and outreach to those in need. Its worship life centers on a Saturday Vigil Mass, three Sunday Masses, daily Mass in the Rectory Chapel, Saturday confessions, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and a Saturday Rosary. The parish is closely tied to Father John V. Doyle School, the parish's PreK–8 Catholic elementary school.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- Saints John and Paul (4th-century Roman brothers and martyrs, martyred under Emperor Julian the Apostate)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael J. Woolley
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Saints John and Paul offers a large, multigenerational Catholic community — more than 4,800 families — with a full sacramental schedule, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a parish-wide Rosary before Saturday confessions. Families looking for Catholic schooling can send children to Father John V. Doyle School, the parish's NEASC-accredited PreK–8 school on the same campus. The parish is also actively involved in faith formation, with a Confirmation program for grades 9 and 10, and is supported by the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Peter E. Blessing Council 5273, which holds meetings and activities here.
Mass times at Saints John and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM (in the Chapel)
Parish History & Identity
Saints John and Paul Parish was established in the fall of 1955, with a canonical founding date of September 25, 1955, according to the Diocese of Providence and GCatholic. The parish marked its Silver Jubilee on September 14, 1980. Today, the parish serves more than 4,800 families across central and western Coventry, extending to the Connecticut state line and into West Greenwich, Hopkinton, and Exeter.
- Founded: fall of 1955 (canonical date September 25, 1955)
- Silver Jubilee: September 14, 1980
- Enrollment: 4,800+ families
- Boundaries: Western Coventry to Connecticut, West Greenwich, Hopkinton, and Exeter
Mission Statement & Parish Identity
The parish describes itself as a 'faith-sharing Roman Catholic community endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit,' cherishing faith, hope, and love. It seeks to promote strong family life, provide meaningful Catholic education programs, encourage youth to live the truth of the Gospel, advocate justice and provide for those in need, and receive all who seek to affirm their relationship with God through the Catholic faith.
- Promoting strong family life
- Providing meaningful Catholic education programs for all
- Encouraging youth to live the truth of the Gospel
- Advocating justice and providing for those in need
- Receiving all who seek to affirm their relationship with God through Catholic faith
Clergy & Staff
Rev. Michael J. Woolley is the current pastor. Father Woolley is a Coventry native (Coventry High School, Class of 1985) who worked as a civil engineer before entering seminary; he was ordained by Bishop Robert E. Mulvee at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence on June 26, 1999. Marge Swedits serves as the parish secretary, and the rectory office can be reached at (401) 821-5764.
- Rev. Michael J. Woolley — Pastor
- Marge Swedits — Secretary
- Office: 341 South Main Street, Coventry, RI 02816
- Phone: (401) 821-5764; Fax: (401) 828-5351
Previous Clergy & Staff
The parish history page lists several beloved deceased priests and longtime staff members who served Saints John and Paul over the years.
- Rev. Joseph P. Henry (1932–2023) †
- Rev. John J. Duggan (1932–2021) †
- Rev. Dennis J. Kieton (1946–2024) †
- Very Rev. Paul R. Grenon — Pastor (2003–2018)
- Jan McMahon — Music Director & Organist (1995–2022)
Father John V. Doyle School (Parish School)
Father John V. Doyle School is the parish's Roman Catholic PreK through Grade 8 elementary school, located immediately adjacent to the church at 343 South Main Street, Coventry. Founded in 1946 (formerly known as Saints John & Paul School), the school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and is recognized by the Rhode Island Department of Education. The current principal is Mary Trichter. The school's mission: 'to provide students with a solid, well-rounded education based on Roman Catholic Tradition, living the Word of God in a caring, safe, and nurturing environment.'
- Address: 343 South Main Street, Coventry, RI 02816
- Phone: (401) 821-3756
- Website: https://fjvd.org/
- Founded: 1946 (as Saints John & Paul School)
- Grades: PreK–8
- Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Principal: Mary Trichter
- RIDE School Code: 06204
Faith Formation & Confirmation
The parish runs a Confirmation program for high-school-aged youth in Grades 9 and 10. Sessions meet on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the parish school. Confirmation I candidates (September through April) take part in the Spirit Workshop, a retreat, Lenten suppers, and other community projects, with dates announced via the parish bulletin and website. Confirmation II continues weekly through the year, with details published in the weekly bulletin as the sacrament approaches.
- Confirmation I (Grade 9): Spirit Workshop, retreat, Lenten suppers, community projects
- Confirmation II (Grade 10): in-session preparation, with details in the parish bulletin
- Sessions: Monday evenings 7:00–8:00 PM in the parish school
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, Saints John and Paul hosts a range of lay ministries, including the parish music ministry and choir, Confirmation prep, and parish-school activities. The parish is also home base for the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Peter E. Blessing Council 5273 and the Columbiettes, and hosts a 'Men of St. Joseph – COR' gathering on the last Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM in the SSJP Rectory Chapel/Conference Room.
- Choir / Music Ministry
- Knights of Columbus — Msgr. Peter E. Blessing Council 5273
- Columbiettes
- Men of St. Joseph – COR (last Thursday of the month, 6:30 PM, Rectory Chapel/Conf. Room)
- Faith Formation / Religious Education
Visiting & Contact Information
Saints John and Paul is located at 341 South Main Street, Coventry, RI 02816, sharing a campus with Father John V. Doyle School (343 South Main Street). The rectory office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and can be reached by phone at (401) 821-5764 (fax: 401-828-5351) or by email at [email protected]. The parish is also active on Facebook.
- Rectory Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Phone: (401) 821-5764
- Fax: (401) 828-5351
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stsjohnpaulri.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ssjp
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Paul R. Grenon2003-2018
Pastor
- Rev. Joseph P. Henry
Associate/retired priest who served at the parish (1932-2023; †)
- Rev. John J. Duggan
Associate/retired priest who served at the parish (1932-2021; †)
- Rev. Dennis J. Kieton
Associate/retired priest who served at the parish (1946-2024; †)
- Jan McMahon1995-2022
Music Director & Organist