About Spirit of Hope Parish @ St. Patrick · Oneida, New York
Spirit of Hope Parish @ St. Patrick is the historic principal church of the Spirit of Hope Catholic Community in Oneida, New York, a canonically-unified multi-site parish in the Diocese of Syracuse. The parish unites eight worship sites across Oneida, Canastota, Verona Beach, North Bay, Sherrill, Vernon, and Irish Ridge, served by two priests and a deacon. Originally founded in 1851 by Irish immigrants, St. Patrick's is a gray-stone church built in the 1880s that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As of the latest parish notices, St. Patrick's itself is temporarily closed due to a dire ceiling condition, with its Masses and events relocated to neighboring St. Joseph's Church while repairs are evaluated.
- Established
- 1851
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Chris Ballard
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
Spirit of Hope Parish brings together eight historic Catholic communities — including the 1889 gray-stone St. Patrick's, the National Register landmark — under one pastoral family that retains each church's unique traditions and identity while sharing resources and ministry across Madison County. Parishioners can worship in English at multiple Mass times across six weekend locations, attend confession Saturday afternoons at St. Joseph, and grow through faith formation for every age: a Totus Tuus summer program, youth ministry and high-school faith formation, a Young Adult Bible Study, Faith Sharing Groups, a Mommy & Me group, and a Senior Group. A dedicated parish staff — pastor, parochial vicar, deacon, religious-education director, youth minister, and business administrator — keeps daily Mass, funeral ministry, and outreach running for parishioners from Oneida, Canastota, Sherrill, Vernon, Verona Beach, North Bay, and Irish Ridge.
Mass times at Spirit of Hope Parish @ St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 2:45pm at St. Joseph, Oneida
- Or by appointment
St. Patrick's Church: A Madison County Landmark
St. Patrick's Church at 347 Main Street is the historic principal church of Spirit of Hope Parish and one of the architectural centerpieces of Oneida, New York. Built of gray stone quarried from Higginsville and dedicated on November 24, 1889, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Its stained-glass windows — imported from Germany between 1920 and 1935 — the three marble altars, the Morey pipe organ, and the rose window in the steeple are signature features of the parish's identity. A ceiling condition has forced the temporary suspension of services at the church, with all Masses and parish events now held at St. Joseph's, 121 St. Joseph Pl.
- Gray stone quarried from Higginsville, NY
- Dedicated November 24, 1889 — cost $75,466
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1983)
- German-imported stained-glass windows depicting Jesus and Mary (1920–1935)
- Currently closed for ceiling repair; Masses relocated to St. Joseph's
Parish History
Catholic life in Oneida began in 1843 when the Rev. Beecham offered the first Mass in Patrick Moran's log house on Liberty Street. Ten families soon built a small mission church, and in 1851 — as Irish immigration swelled — the mission was established as a parish under Rev. Patrick Kenna, who purchased the present Main Street site for $184 and built the first brick church for $2,800. By 1880 the Catholic population had reached 3,000, and under Rev. James Kelly the congregation built the present stone church, dedicated in 1889. A parish school and convent followed in 1921 under Rev. Jon McGraw and the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 2023, St. Patrick's became the principal church of the newly-formed Spirit of Hope Parish.
- 1843 — First Mass celebrated by Rev. Beecham in a log house on Liberty Street
- 1851 — Parish established with Rev. Patrick Kenna as first pastor
- 1880–1889 — Present gray-stone church built under Rev. James Kelly
- 1921 — Parish school and convent dedicated under Rev. Jon McGraw
- 1983 — Added to the National Register of Historic Places
- June 11, 2023 — Canonically unified as Spirit of Hope Parish
Spirit of Hope Parish: One Parish, Eight Worship Sites
Spirit of Hope Parish is a canonically-unified Catholic community in Madison County serving Catholics in Oneida, Canastota, Verona Beach, North Bay, Sherrill, Vernon, and the Irish Ridge. Each church retains its own history, traditions, and identity while sharing clergy and staff. Local customs like Casino Night in Canastota, the Fish Fry in Vernon, and the Blessing of the Boats at Sylvan Beach continue alongside a growing unified parish picnic each summer.
- St. Patrick, Oneida — Sunday 10:45am Mass (temporarily at St. Joseph)
- St. Joseph, Oneida — Daily Mass Mon–Fri 8:30am; Sat Vigil 4:00pm; Sun 10:45am
- St. Agatha, Canastota — Sunday 8:45am Mass
- St. Helena, Sherrill — Sunday 10:45am Mass
- Holy Family, Vernon — Sunday 10:00am Mass
- St. Mary of the Lake, Verona Beach — Seasonal Sat 5:30pm / Sun 8:30am
- North Bay (oratory) and Irish Ridge (oratory)
Pastoral & Office Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Chris Ballard (Pastor) and Fr. Joseph Ryan (Parochial Vicar), with Dc. Dave Schiltz serving as Deacon for Funeral Ministry. The central office team coordinates faith formation, youth ministry, religious education, business, and facilities across the eight sites.
- Fr. Chris Ballard — Pastor
- Fr. Joseph Ryan — Parochial Vicar
- Dc. Dave Schiltz — Deacon, Funeral Ministry
- Mark Ranieri — Business Administrator
- Lisa Spooner — Coordinator of Faith Formation
- Sena Clarke — Youth Minister / High School Faith Formation
- Terry Houck — Coordinator of Buildings and Grounds
- Marie Stoker — Pastoral Secretary
- Kristina Houck — Executive Assistant
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Spirit of Hope is directed by a Coordinator of Faith Formation and a Youth Minister / High School Faith Formation leader, with programming available for every age. Children's faith formation classes meet Sunday and Monday evenings, the youth group gathers regularly, and the Totus Tuus summer program brings a team of college-aged missionaries to the parish for a week of catechesis, games, and prayer.
- K-8 Faith Formation (Sunday & Monday evenings)
- Youth Ministry & High School Faith Formation
- Totus Tuus Summer Program (2025: July 27 – August 1)
- Young Adult Bible Study
- Faith Sharing Group (monthly, last Thursday)
Parish Life, Devotions & Fellowship
Beyond the sanctuary, Spirit of Hope Parish hosts a variety of ongoing groups that bring parishioners together across its eight churches. Lent Faith Sharing studies (Bishop Barron's Lenten Gospel Reflections, Sr. Miriam James Heidland's 'Restore,' and Fr. Joe Sica's 'A Journey for the Soul') are offered seasonally. A Senior Group meets the second Monday of each month (no meetings in July or August), and a Mommy & Me group gathers regularly.
- Faith Sharing Group — Bishop Barron & Jeff Cavins daily scripture reflections (last Thursday of the month)
- Young Adult Bible Study
- Senior Group — meets 2nd Monday of the month
- Mommy & Me Group
- Lent Faith Sharing series (annual)
- Parish picnic each summer
Visit & Contact
Masses and events for the St. Patrick's community are currently held at St. Joseph's Church, 121 St. Joseph Pl., Oneida, NY 13421. The central parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm, and can be reached by phone or email for sacraments, sick calls, and pastoral counseling.
- Central Parish Office: 121 St. Joseph Pl., Oneida, NY 13421
- Phone: (315) 363-3280
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm
- St. Patrick's Church (historic building): 347 Main St., Oneida, NY
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick Kenna1851–
First pastor when St. Patrick's was established as a parish.
- Rev. James Kelly1880s
Led the project to build the present gray-stone church; celebrated his 25th anniversary in 1899.
- Rev. Jon McGraw1921
Pastor at the dedication of the parish school and convent.
- Fr. Chris Ballard2023–present
Current pastor; previously pastor of Our Lady of Hope in Syracuse; ordained 2010.