About St. Ambrose. Peace of Christ Parish. · Rochester, New York
Peace of Christ Parish is a multi-site Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Rochester, New York, uniting three historic Northeast Rochester/Irondequoit churches: St. Ambrose Church (25 Empire Blvd.), St. James Church (130 Brett Rd.), and St. John the Evangelist Church (553 Humboldt St.). Formed canonically on May 18, 2007, from what had been the Winton-Culver Catholic Community, the parish draws its name from the Gospel greeting of the Risen Christ and its mission of building Christian community in worship, outreach, and love. Under the leadership of Fr. Peter B. Mottola (assigned 2021), with parochial vicar Fr. Timothy T. Brown and Deacon Robert Corsaro, the parish serves roughly three worshipping communities with daily and Sunday Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, a parish elementary school (St. Ambrose Academy), faith formation for all ages, youth and young-adult ministry, and a strong tradition of Catholic social outreach.
- Established
- 2007
- Rector
- Rev. Peter B. Mottola
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
Peace of Christ is a welcoming, mission-driven Catholic community that gathers across three historic worship sites in Northeast Rochester and Irondequoit. Parishioners can worship in the beauty of traditional and contemporary liturgies (including a Friday Traditional Latin Mass at St. John the Evangelist), spend time with the Lord in a Perpetual Adoration Chapel on Whittington Road, send their children to the parish elementary school St. Ambrose Academy (PK3–Grade 5), grow in faith through OCIA, youth ministry, and adult formation, and live out the Gospel through ministries like the City-East Transportation Ministry for those who can no longer drive and a Social Ministry team focused on justice, peace, and the Consistent Life Ethic. The parish's mission is simple: 'The Peace of Christ calls us to create Christian Community where God is found in the beauty and joy of our worship, in the breadth of our outreach, and in our love for one another.'
Mass times at St. Ambrose. Peace of Christ Parish.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM at St. James Church
- Sunday: 8:15 AM – 8:45 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church
- Sunday: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM at St. Ambrose Church (Diocese directory lists 4:15–4:45)
- By appointment — contact the Parish Office at (585) 288-5000
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration — 24/7 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the Adoration Chapel (former St. James Convent Chapel), 123 Whittington Road, Rochester, NY 14609. Sign up for a weekly hour or as a substitute via the parish office.
- First Fridays — Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon) at St. Ambrose Church
About Peace of Christ Parish
Peace of Christ Parish is a multi-site Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Rochester formed in 2007 by the merger of three historic churches in Northeast Rochester and Irondequoit: St. Ambrose (1921), St. John the Evangelist (1914), and St. James (1949). Its mission statement reads: 'The Peace of Christ calls us to create Christian Community where God is found in the beauty and joy of our worship, in the breadth of our outreach, and in our love for one another.' The parish pledges to proclaim and study the Word of God, honor God's presence in worship, witness the Gospel through care for those in need, develop lay leadership, honor the dignity of every person, and work against oppression and social injustice through its social ministry.
- St. Ambrose Church — 25 Empire Blvd., Rochester, NY 14609
- St. James Church — 130 Brett Rd., Rochester, NY 14609
- St. John the Evangelist Church — 553 Humboldt St., Rochester, NY 14610
- Parish Office: 25 Empire Blvd., Rochester, NY 14609 | (585) 288-5000 | [email protected]
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Our History
The three parishes that form Peace of Christ each have a century-old story. St. John the Evangelist was founded in 1914 by Bishop Thomas Hickey with 68 families and Rev. John Sullivan as pastor; the cornerstone was set October 4, 1914. St. Ambrose was created November 12, 1921 as the 31st parish of the Diocese, with Fr. Walter B. McCarthy as founding pastor; a temporary wood-frame church was built on what had been an apple orchard at Empire Blvd. and Culver Road, dedicated December 11, 1921. St. James was born of Bishop John O'Hern's 1929 land purchase and Fr. Francis Feeney's 1949 groundbreaking on Brett Road. In 1997 the three began sharing ministries through the Pastoral Planning for the New Millennium Process; in July 2004 they merged as the Winton-Culver Catholic Community under Fr. Robert Schrader, and on May 18, 2007 parishioners voted to canonically unite as Peace of Christ Parish. Fr. Peter Mottola was assigned pastor in 2021.
- 1914 — St. John the Evangelist founded (Fr. John Sullivan)
- 1921 — St. Ambrose founded as 31st parish of the Diocese of Rochester (Fr. Walter B. McCarthy)
- 1949 — St. James Church groundbreaking (Fr. Francis Feeney)
- 1997 — Pastoral Planning for the New Millennium cluster begins
- July 2004 — Winton-Culver Catholic Community formed under Fr. Robert Schrader
- May 18, 2007 — Peace of Christ Parish canonically established
- 2021 — Fr. Peter Mottola assigned pastor
St. Ambrose Church — A Closer Look
St. Ambrose was carved out of Corpus Christi Parish in 1921 to serve Rochester's growing Northeast and Irondequoit. Building and buying land was a primary objective of Fr. McCarthy and his trustees: the original rectory at 34 Empire Blvd. went up in 1922, the same year as the combination Church and school building with eight classrooms, a 600-seat church, and a parish hall. The cornerstone held newspapers (The Rochester Herald of October 1, 1922), a 1922 silver dollar, a Times Union commemorative coin, and the original pew-holder list. The Annex followed in 1926. The current church was dedicated October 2, 1960; the worship space was renovated and rededicated by Bishop Matthew H. Clark on February 18, 2001 — with the completed space reopening December 7, 2000, the Feast of St. Ambrose. St. Ambrose was one of the first Rochester parishes to invite girls to serve at the altar and one of the first to use communal penance services during the Vatican II era.
- Founded November 12, 1921 as the 31st parish of the Diocese of Rochester
- Land purchased from Monika Vondran (formerly an apple orchard)
- First wood-frame church cost $3,945; dedicated December 11, 1921
- Combination church-school built 1922; Annex added 1926
- Current church dedicated October 2, 1960
- Renovated 2000; rededicated February 18, 2001 by Bishop Matthew H. Clark
St. James Church — A Closer Look
St. James traces its origins to a 1929 land purchase by Bishop John O'Hern outside the city limits. A 1949 census confirmed the need, and Fr. Francis Feeney broke ground in July 1949. The 13-room, two-story school opened in September 1950 with 220 students in K–8. The sanctuary was renovated in 1974 in compliance with post-Vatican II directions, and St. James School closed in 1990 as part of diocesan reorganization. The parish remains a deeply religious, caring community where many founding families still worship.
- Founded 1949 (Fr. Francis Feeney)
- School opened September 1950 (K–8, 220 students)
- Sanctuary renovated 1974
- School closed 1990 (diocesan reorganization)
St. John the Evangelist Church — A Closer Look
St. John the Evangelist began with Bishop Thomas Hickey's decision in early 1914 to create a parish for Brighton (then outside the city limits). Rev. John Sullivan organized 68 founding families, and the cornerstone was set October 4, 1914 with Bishop Hickey arriving by automobile. A two-story building with basement auditorium and first-floor church was completed by 1916; the Sisters of Mercy opened the elementary school upstairs that September. A larger modified-Gothic church with stained glass, tapestry brick, slate roof, and limestone trim was completed in 1926; the 1953 Tellers pipe organ is still in use. Monsignor Sullivan served 45 years before retiring in 1959. St. John the Evangelist celebrated its centennial in 2014, and the parish school closed in June 2005 — with St. John Neumann School opening in the former St. Ambrose school building that fall as a sign of unity among the three parishes.
- Founded 1914 (Rev. John Sullivan)
- Cornerstone set October 4, 1914; 68 founding families
- Original school/church completed 1916; Sisters of Mercy opened school September 1916
- Larger modified-Gothic church completed 1926
- 1953 Tellers pipe organ still in use today
- Monsignor Sullivan served 45 years (1914–1959)
- Centennial celebrated 2014
Clergy & Parish Staff
Peace of Christ Parish is led by Pastor Rev. Peter B. Mottola (assigned 2021) and Parochial Vicar Rev. Timothy T. Brown, with two deacons and a sizable lay staff supporting worship, faith formation, music, finance, school, and facilities.
- Rev. Peter B. Mottola — Pastor (ext. 104)
- Rev. Timothy T. Brown — Parochial Vicar (ext. 105)
- Deacon Robert Corsaro
- Deacon Marcelo DeRisio
- Andrea Milgate — Principal, St. Ambrose Academy (585-288-0580)
- Terry Keach — Director of Music Ministry / Organist (ext. 122)
- Patty Macera — Finance Director (ext. 117)
- Laurie Brown — Accountant (ext. 118)
- Laurie O'Brien — Administrative Assistant (ext. 102)
- Cathy Davis — Bulletin Editor
- Jeff Carter — Director of Maintenance
- Katie Amann — Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation (585-271-7240)
- Winston Marvin Achar — Assistant Catechetical Coordinator (ext. 121)
- Tyler Davis — Pastoral Associate for Youth and Young Adults (585-271-7240, ext. 123)
- William Rein — Pastoral Associate (ext. 123)
St. Ambrose Academy
St. Ambrose Academy (SAA) is a Catholic elementary school of the Diocese of Rochester, sponsored by Peace of Christ Parish, serving students from PK3 through Grade 5. Its mission is 'to partner with each family to nurture the foundational skills of each person's spiritual, academic, social and emotional development, creating future leaders of hope in our local and global communities.' A School Board (open to volunteers with backgrounds in education, finance, marketing, fundraising, or building maintenance) meets bimonthly to oversee Catholic identity, academics, enrollment, budget, fundraising, facilities, and student life. The school offers the $750 Suzanna Youngs Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Knights of Columbus Ascension Council #15638 and Ladies Auxiliary, for registered Catholic families.
- Grades served: PK3 through 5
- Principal: Andrea Milgate
- Phone: 585-288-0580
- Office: 31 Empire Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14609
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Suzanna Youngs Memorial Scholarship: $750 tuition award (essay-based)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Peace of Christ spans cradle to adulthood. Children and youth prepare for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation through parish programs (diocesan policy requires one full year of formation before the sacramental prep year). The OCIA process (formerly RCIA) welcomes adults and children over age 7 into the Catholic Church on a rolling basis, with initiation typically at the Easter Vigil. Adult Faith Formation includes occasional book discussions and ongoing events. The parish also offers Vacation Bible School (usually in July) and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method for young children.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — contact Katie Amann
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — 2nd-grade sacramental prep
- Confirmation — Grades 8 & up, two-year catechesis required
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
- Sunday Faith Formation at St. Ambrose Academy after 9:45 Mass
- Adult Faith Formation (book discussions, events)
- Vacation Bible School (typically July)
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Pastoral Associate Tyler Davis coordinates Youth Ministry and Confirmation preparation for teens in Grades 8 and up. The parish also supports Converge, a regional Young Adult Initiative (ages 18–35) whose mission is 'to bring hope to the hopeless and enliven the young adult community in the City of Rochester,' with events and activities throughout the year. Elevate serves the 30+ demographic.
- Pastoral Associate for Youth: Tyler Davis (585-271-7240 ext. 123)
- Confirmation: Grades 8 & up (two-year catechesis)
- Converge Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–35) — https://www.converge-roc.com/
- Elevate — 30+ Ministry
Music Ministry
Music at Peace of Christ is led by Director of Music Ministry/Organist Terry Keach. The Parish Choir rehearses weekly for two hours and sings at the 9:00, 9:45, or 11:00 Sunday Masses. The Hand Bell Choir rehearses once a week (no prior musical training needed) and plays about once a month at the Sunday 5:00 PM Mass at St. Ambrose.
- Director of Music Ministry / Organist: Terry Keach (ext. 122)
- Parish Choir — weekly rehearsal; sings at 9:00, 9:45, or 11:00 Mass
- Hand Bell Choir — monthly at the 5:00 PM St. Ambrose Mass
Pastoral Care, Outreach & Social Ministry
Outreach and pastoral care are central to Peace of Christ's identity. The Social Ministry Team promotes Catholic Social Teaching, justice, peace, the Consistent Life Ethic, and compassion through both direct service and advocacy. The City-East Transportation Ministry pairs certified volunteer drivers with parishioners of Peace of Christ and St. Frances Cabrini who can no longer drive themselves, helping with medical, dental, grocery, banking, and pharmacy appointments (requests due one week in advance).
- Social Ministry Team — Catholic Social Teaching, justice, peace, Consistent Life Ethic
- City-East Transportation Ministry — volunteer drivers for medical/grocery/pharmacy trips
- Pastoral Council — five meetings per year, three-year terms
- Finance Committee — budget oversight and parish fiscal communication
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) is the formal process by which any adult or child over the age of 7 may become Catholic and receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation). Peace of Christ runs OCIA on a rolling basis: newcomers can join at any time of year and move at their own pace, with the traditional reception at the Easter Vigil. The journey moves through Pre-Catechumenate (Inquiry), Rite of Initiation, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy (post-baptismal reflection).
- Rolling enrollment — join any time of year
- Traditional reception at the Easter Vigil
- Contact: Katie Amann ([email protected])
- Phone: 585-271-7240
Getting Involved — Ministries & Stewardship
The parish publishes a full PDF listing of Ministry & Stewardship Opportunities (updated September 2025). Roles span Worship (Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Sacristans, Altar Servers, Choir, Hand Bells), Faith Formation (Catechists, OCIA team, Sacrament Prep), Pastoral Care, Social Outreach (Social Ministry, Transportation Ministry), Operations & Maintenance (Office Volunteers, Archive Room Team, Maintenance), Parish Leadership (Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, School Board), and Communications (Website/Social Media).
- Worship ministries — Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Sacristans, Choir, Hand Bells
- Faith Formation — Catechists, OCIA team, Vacation Bible School
- Pastoral Care & Social Outreach — Social Ministry, Transportation Ministry
- Operations — Office Volunteers, Archive Room Team, Maintenance
- Parish Leadership — Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, School Board
- Communications — Website/Social Media volunteers
Contact, Directions & Practical Info
The Parish Office is at 25 Empire Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14609. Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The main phone line is (585) 288-5000. St. Ambrose Church sits at the corner of Empire Boulevard, Culver Road, Clifford Avenue, and Deerfield Drive; Empire Blvd. is an exit off expressway I-590. The Perpetual Adoration Chapel is in the former St. James Convent Chapel at 123 Whittington Road, Irondequoit. St. Ambrose Academy has its own entrance at 31 Empire Boulevard (phone 585-288-0580).
- Parish Office: 25 Empire Blvd., Rochester, NY 14609 | (585) 288-5000 | [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- St. Ambrose Academy: 31 Empire Blvd., Rochester, NY 14609 | 585-288-0580
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel: 123 Whittington Road, Irondequoit, NY 14609
- Diocese: Diocese of Rochester
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert J. Schrader2004–2021
First pastor of the merged parishes; led the Winton-Culver Catholic Community from 2004 and oversaw the formation of Peace of Christ Parish on May 18, 2007. Took senior-priest status in June 2021 after 17 years.
- Rev. Peter B. Mottola2021–present
Assigned pastor of Peace of Christ Parish in 2021.
- Rev. Robert T. Werth2004–
Parochial vicar alongside Fr. Schrader during the Winton-Culver era.
- Rev. Michael SchramelDec 1996–2004
Became pastor of St. John the Evangelist on December 1, 1996.
- Rev. William Spilly1996–2004
Appointed pastor in 1996; served until the Winton-Culver merger.
- Rev. Melvin Walczak ("Fr. Mel")1995–Sept 22, 1996
Succeeded Fr. Marvin at St. Ambrose; resigned in 1996.
- Rev. James J. Marvin1971–1995
St. Ambrose pastor for 24 years; implemented many Vatican II reforms.
- Monsignor Arthur Ratigan1964–1971
Created one of the first parish School Boards in Rochester and the Parish Council.
- Monsignor Charles Boyle1959–1973 (at St. John the Evangelist)
Succeeded Monsignor Sullivan; former superintendent of Catholic Schools.
- Monsignor John Sullivan1914–1959
Founding pastor of St. John the Evangelist; served 45 years before retiring.
- Father Francis Feeney1949–
Founding pastor of St. James; broke ground July 1949.
- Father Frank W. Mason1937–
Second pastor of St. Ambrose, appointed June 1937.
- Father Burke1936–1937
Administrator of St. Ambrose after the death of the founding pastor.
- Father Walter B. McCarthy1921–1936
Founding pastor of St. Ambrose; died August 2, 1936.