About St. Agnes · Dalton, Massachusetts
Saint Agnes Catholic Community is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, serving the Hilltowns of Berkshire County from its church at 489 Main Street in Dalton, MA. The parish also operates St. Patrick's Chapel at 48 Church Street in neighboring Hinsdale and sponsors St. Agnes Academy, a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic elementary school at 30 Carson Avenue in Dalton. Led by Pastor Fr. Brian McGrath, alongside Deacons Richard Radzick and George Morrell, the parish describes itself as "a faith filled, welcoming parish that seeks to give glory to God through prayer, worship and service." Daily and weekend Masses are broadcast live on community cable television and streamed online, extending the parish's reach to homebound members and the wider community.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- St. Agnes
- Rector
- Rev. Brian McGrath
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts
Why belong here
Saint Agnes is a faith-filled, welcoming Catholic community serving Dalton, Hinsdale and the wider Hilltowns of Berkshire County, with a deep history stretching back to 1882. Parishioners find a full sacramental life — daily and weekend Masses, Saturday confessions, Eucharistic Adoration, Lenten Stations of the Cross, and devotional broadcasts on community television and online — alongside ministries such as Faith Formation (CCD, RCIA, Youth Support) and a Knights of Columbus Council #411. The parish also operates St. Agnes Academy, a NEASC-accredited Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic elementary school with a long waiting list, giving families a complete parish-and-school Catholic experience in the heart of the Berkshires.
Mass times at St. Agnes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15-3:45 PM at St. Agnes Church
- Saturday 5:15 PM at St. Patrick's Chapel, Hinsdale
- Communal Penance Services scheduled at Sacred Heart, Pittsfield & St. Ann's, Lenox (check bulletin for details)
- Fr. Brian is always available for Confession by appointment — call the rectory
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday until 9:00 PM (part of the Easter Triduum)
- Adoration referenced on the parish's Adoration page (regular weekly schedule not listed online — call rectory for current hours)
History of Saint Agnes Parish
Catholic life in Dalton began in 1861 when Father Edward H. Purcell established a mission served from Pittsfield, with Masses in private homes, schools, and the Town Hall. The decisive figure in founding the parish was Father Daniel J. Cronin, who arrived in Hinsdale in 1868, recognized the need for a church in growing Dalton, and broke ground in the summer of 1881. The first St. Agnes — designed by architect F. W. Ford of Boston and built by Charles McKay of Springfield — was dedicated on October 22, 1882 by Bishop P. O'Reilly. In 1907 it was elevated from a mission to a parish with Father Cronin as first pastor. Subsequent pastors Father John J. O'Keefe, Father Patrick H. Gallen (whose 1929 redecoration featured Augustus Vincent Tack murals), and Father Leo J. Shaughnessy (who launched the 1954 Building Program) shaped the community through the mid-20th century. The present brick Gothic church and school were dedicated together by Bishop Christopher J. Weldon on April 26, 1958.
- 1861 — Father Purcell establishes the Dalton mission
- 1881 — Construction begins on the first St. Agnes Church
- 1882, October 22 — Church dedicated by Bishop O'Reilly
- 1907 — Elevated to parish status; Father Cronin named first pastor
- 1929 — Interior rededicated with Augustus Vincent Tack murals
- 1957 — St. Agnes Academy opens under the Sisters of St. Joseph
- 1958, April 26 — New church and school dedicated by Bishop Weldon
St. Agnes Academy (Parish School)
St. Agnes Academy is a Catholic parish school at 30 Carson Avenue in Dalton, serving Pre-K through 8th grade. The school opened in September 1957 under the Sisters of St. Joseph with three grades and 100 pupils, led by Sister Margaret Edward with Sisters Agnita and Maria Edward. Today it is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and affiliated with the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). The school's mission statement reads: 'St. Agnes Academy is a Catholic parish school united by God's love, living and sharing our faith daily. We strive for academic success while promoting awareness and appreciation of community involvement as a lifestyle.' A pre-school program for three- and four-year-olds was added in 1988.
- Address: 30 Carson Avenue, Dalton, MA 01226
- Phone: (413) 684-3143
- Principal: Paula Curti
- Accredited by NEASC; affiliated with NCEA
- Typically has a waiting list for incoming kindergarteners
Lenten & Easter Triduum
Saint Agnes offers a full program of Lenten devotions and the sacred Easter Triduum. Ash Wednesday includes the distribution of ashes after Mass and is observed as a day of fast and abstinence. Stations of the Cross with Benediction are prayed every Friday at 6:00 PM at St. Agnes Church (none at St. Patrick's). The Easter Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday at 7:00 PM and concludes with Easter Sunday Masses.
- Stations of the Cross — every Friday at 6:00 PM during Lent at St. Agnes
- Holy Thursday — 7:00 PM Mass of the Lord's Supper with Adoration until 9:00 PM
- Good Friday — 3:00 PM Stations of the Cross; 7:00 PM Celebration of the Lord's Passion
- Holy Saturday — 7:30 PM Easter Vigil Mass
- Easter Sunday — 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM at St. Agnes; 11:30 AM at St. Patrick's
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
The parish's Faith Formation program provides religious education (CCD), preparation for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and Youth Support. Justin Brown serves as Youth Minister, and Lisa Stankiewicz is the Director of Faith Formation. Through these ministries the parish supports parishioners at every stage of faith formation, from childhood CCD classes through the RCIA journey for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Faith Formation (CCD)
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Youth Support program
- Youth Minister: Justin Brown
- Director of Faith Formation: Lisa Stankiewicz
Knights of Columbus
The parish is home to Knights of Columbus Council #411, one of the oldest Catholic fraternal organizations active in the Hilltowns of Berkshire County. The Council is linked directly from the parish homepage and serves as a key vehicle of Catholic fellowship, charity, and service in the community.
- Knights of Columbus, Council #411 (parish-affiliated)
Parish Staff & Pastoral Team
Saint Agnes is led by Pastor Fr. Brian McGrath and a dedicated pastoral and administrative team. Two active deacons — Richard Radzick and George Morrell — serve alongside retired Deacon Sean Mulholland. The parish office is managed by Business Manager Nancy Skwira. Paula Curti serves as Academy Principal at St. Agnes Academy, Lisa Stankiewicz as Director of Faith Formation, and Justin Brown as Youth Minister. Karen Chrostowski serves in a business/operations role connected to the school.
- Pastor — Fr. Brian McGrath ([email protected])
- Deacon Richard Radzick ([email protected])
- Deacon George Morrell ([email protected])
- Deacon Sean Mulholland, retired ([email protected])
- Youth Minister — Justin Brown ([email protected])
- Academy Principal — Paula Curti ([email protected])
- Director of Faith Formation — Lisa Stankiewicz ([email protected])
- Business Manager — Nancy Skwira ([email protected])
- Business Office — Karen Chrostowski ([email protected])
Live Stream, Recorded Masses & Outreach to the Homebound
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the parish built out a substantial online presence, which has continued as an active ministry. Daily Masses (Monday-Friday 8:30 AM), weekend Masses (Saturday 4:00 PM and Sunday 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM), funerals, and special events such as weddings, confirmations, baptisms, and Stations of the Cross are recorded and made available for download. Saturday Mass is also televised LIVE at 4:00 PM on Dalton and Pittsfield Cable TV Channel 1301 as part of the parish's outreach to the homebound. The free MyParish app for iPhone and Android provides access to live-streamed and recorded Masses, the parish bulletin, daily Mass readings, prayers, Confession reminders, Catholic news, and homilies.
- Live-streamed and recorded Masses available online
- Saturday 4:00 PM Mass televised LIVE on Cable Channel 1301 (Dalton & Pittsfield)
- MyParish App — iPhone and Android
- Hearing Assist Devices available in the sacristy
- Parish Online Giving link
Getting Involved
Saint Agnes describes itself as a faith-filled, welcoming parish that seeks to give glory to God through prayer, worship and service. Parishioners can become involved through the Knights of Columbus Council #411, the Faith Formation program, Youth Ministry, the school community, or by volunteering time and talent in service of the parish's homebound outreach, live-stream ministry, and liturgical life.
- Knights of Columbus Council #411
- Faith Formation / CCD volunteering
- Youth Ministry
- St. Agnes Academy — parish school community
- Outreach to the Homebound / Live Stream ministry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Daniel J. Cronin1907-1911
First pastor when St. Agnes was elevated from a mission to a parish in 1907; he had arrived in Hinsdale in 1868 and spearheaded the building of the church in 1881-1882. Died March 23, 1911.
- Father John J. O'Keefe1911-1923
Succeeded Father Cronin; previously held pastorates in West Springfield and Clinton.
- Father Patrick H. Gallen1923-1934
Born on St. Patrick's Day; previously served in Florence and South Deerfield; celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest in 1931; oversaw the 1929 interior redecoration with murals by Augustus Vincent Tack. Died September 2, 1934.
- Father Leo J. Shaughnessy1949-?
Announced the 1954 St. Agnes Building Program that produced a new church, convent and school; the school opened in 1957 and the new church was dedicated in 1958.