About St. Ambrose · Endicott, New York
St. Ambrose is a Roman Catholic parish in the village of Endicott, New York, part of the Diocese of Syracuse and one of three parishes forming the North Endicott Catholic Community (alongside St. Anthony of Padua and St. Joseph). Founded in 1908 as a mission of St. James in Johnson City, it became an independent parish in 1915 and is now served by Rev. Kenneth R. Kirkman, with Deacon William Matts and Pastoral Associate Sr. Anisia Muthoni. The parish offers a Saturday Vigil Mass and a Tuesday midday Mass, weekly Confession, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and shared faith formation, youth, and outreach ministries with its sister parishes. Its mission is 'to grow in faith and spirituality as we seek to proclaim and live the gospel through our liturgy, prayer and charitable works for all God's people.'
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- St. Ambrose
- Rector
- Rev. Kenneth R. Kirkman
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Ambrose is a welcoming parish with deep roots in Endicott's history and an active shared life with its sister parishes, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Joseph. Parishioners can worship at a Saturday Vigil Mass or Tuesday midday Mass, receive Reconciliation weekly, and join in monthly Eucharistic Adoration. The parish shares faith formation for Pre-K through 10th grade (including First Communion and Confirmation preparation), a youth group that travels to the Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference, a Young Adult Bible Study, and outreach programs like the Giving Tree, Prayer Network, and Work of Our Hands prayer shawl ministry.
Mass times at St. Ambrose
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Tuesday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Also by appointment with Fr. Kirkman
Adoration times
- 10:30 AM – First Fridays at St. Ambrose
Parish History
St. Ambrose began in 1908 as a mission of St. James in Johnson City, started after Passionist Fathers from Scranton opened a mission in Endicott's former fire station in 1906. Through a land swap with Endicott-Johnson president George F. Johnson, the parish built its church on Washington Avenue, with the cornerstone blessed by Bishop Patrick A. Ludden in 1908 and the building dedicated in 1909. After a major cross-shaped expansion in 1922–1923 — again backed by George F. Johnson — and the founding of St. Ambrose School and Seton Catholic High School under Msgr. Hopkins, the parish grew with Endicott's industrial population. Today it is part of the tri-parish North Endicott Catholic Community.
- Mission opened by Passionist Fathers, October 15, 1906 (former fire station on Washington Avenue)
- Cornerstone blessed July 12, 1908 by Bishop Patrick A. Ludden
- First Mass in new church: March 10, 1909; dedication June 20, 1909
- Independence from St. James: August 15, 1915
- Major expansion (cross-shaped building, Skinner organ): 1922–1923
- Rededicated by Bishop Daniel Curley: November 9, 1923
Sacraments
St. Ambrose and the North Endicott Catholic Community celebrate all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism is celebrated after a two-month notice and pre-baptismal class for first-time parents; Confirmation is typically conferred by the Bishop of Syracuse in the fall of a student's sophomore year, with preparation beginning in 8th grade. Weddings require at least six months' notice and Pre-Cana preparation, and the Anointing of the Sick is available by contacting the parish office.
- Baptism — 2 months notice; pre-baptismal class for first-time parents
- Confirmation — prep in 8th grade; sacrament in sophomore year
- Eucharist — Sunday and weekday Masses
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3 PM, Tuesday 11:30 AM, and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
- Holy Matrimony — 6 months notice; Pre-Cana required
- Holy Orders — referrals to Diocese of Syracuse Vocations
Faith Formation
Faith Formation is offered jointly with the sister parishes of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Joseph, serving children from Pre-K through 10th grade, including preparation for First Communion (typically in 2nd grade, after a full prior year of formation) and Confirmation (preparation beginning in 8th grade, with the sacrament in the sophomore year). Registration is open for the 2025–2026 program year.
- Pre-K through 10th grade
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation (8th–10th grade)
- Shared program with St. Anthony of Padua and St. Joseph
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. Ambrose's Youth Group travels annually to the Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference — a weekend of faith, community, worship, and fun. A separate Young Adult Bible Study meets Wednesdays from 7:30–9 PM at the St. Joseph Parish Office (enter through the White Chapel door), with Adoration in the church on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM, followed by food and fellowship.
- Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference (annual)
- Young Adult Bible Study — Wednesdays 7:30–9 PM at St. Joseph
- Adoration on 3rd Wednesdays at 6:30 PM for Young Adults
Outreach & Evangelization
The parish shares a number of outreach ministries with the North Endicott Catholic Community, focused on feeding the hungry, supporting life, praying for those in need, and helping neighbors at Christmas. The St. Anthony's Food Pantry distributes food Tuesdays and Thursdays and prepares Thanksgiving baskets for up to 100 families each year.
- Respect Life Ministry
- St. Anthony's Food Pantry — 1000 Jenkins St., TLC East; Tue 10–11:45 AM & 5:30–6:45 PM; Thu 10–11:45 AM; phone 429-0041
- Thanksgiving food baskets (up to 100 families)
- Prayer Network (phone-based prayer chain)
- Work of Our Hands — prayer shawls, chemo caps, baby layettes, hats and scarves; meets 3rd Saturday at 9:30 AM at Judy's Cafe
- Giving Tree — Christmas gift outreach
Liturgy & Music
Liturgical music at St. Ambrose is directed by Music Director Jim Apicella. The parish's Skinner organ — installed during the 1922–1923 expansion with funding from George F. Johnson — was described at the time as the 'Cadillac model' of its day.
- Music Director: Jim Apicella
- Historic Skinner organ (installed 1922–1923)
Staff & Parish Leadership
St. Ambrose is led by Pastor Rev. Kenneth R. Kirkman, with the assistance of Deacon William Matts and Pastoral Associate Sr. Anisia Muthoni. The parish is supported by Music Director Jim Apicella, Trustees John Bombaski and Michael Brunner, and Maintenance lead Gary Yesensky.
- Pastor: Rev. Kenneth R. Kirkman
- Deacon: William Matts
- Pastoral Associate: Sr. Anisia Muthoni
- Music Director: Jim Apicella
- Trustees: John Bombaski & Michael Brunner
- Maintenance: Gary Yesensky
Parish Office & Visiting
The parish office is at 203 Washington Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760, with entrance at the back of the church. Office hours are Monday and Tuesday 9 AM–1 PM and Friday 9 AM–12 PM; the office is closed Wednesday and Thursday. The parish phone is (607) 754-2330 and email is [email protected]. Weekly bulletins are shared with St. Anthony of Padua and St. Joseph.
- Address: 203 Washington Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760
- Phone: (607) 754-2330
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon & Tue 9 AM–1 PM; Fri 9 AM–12 PM (closed Wed & Thu)
- Entrance at back of church
Giving & Support
Parishioners and friends can support St. Ambrose through online giving, text-to-give (text 'StAmbrose' to 73256), mailed weekly contributions, or by donating a vehicle through CAREASY.
- Online giving through the parish website
- Text 'StAmbrose' to 73256
- Mail-in weekly contribution
- Vehicle Donation: CAREASY at careasy.org/st-ambrose-church or 1-855-500-7433
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Ambrose M. Dwyer1907–1915; 1917–1918
First pastor; also pastor of St. James, Johnson City; named the parish for his patron saint.
- Rev. John V. Byrne1915–1917
Second pastor; led the parish as it gained independence from St. James on August 15, 1915.
- Rev. James P. McPeak1918–1923
Third pastor; oversaw the major 1922–1923 expansion into a cross-shaped building with pillared sanctuary.
- Rev. Henry F. Curtin1923–1929
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Alexis L. Hopkins1929–1958
Fifth pastor; opened St. Ambrose School and Seton Catholic High School.
- Rev. Lawrence J. Sheehan1958–1965
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. John E. Carey1965–1985
- Rev. John E. Fetcho1979–1991
Co-pastor with Msgr. Carey from 1979 until 1985, then sole pastor.
- Rev. David A. Pichette1991–1993
- Rev. Robert G. Tierney1993–1998
- Rev. Peter M. Creed1998–2002
- Rev. Charles A. Currie2002–2012
- Rev. Donald E. Bourgeois2012–2017
- Rev. Michael P. Galuppi2017–2021
- Rev. John P. Donovan, JCL2021–2022
Served as Moderator.
- Rev. Kenneth R. Kirkman2022–present
Current pastor of the North Endicott Catholic Community (St. Ambrose, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Joseph).