About St. Andrew · Block Island, Rhode Island
Saint Andrew Roman Catholic Church is the only Catholic parish on Block Island, Rhode Island, a small island community roughly 12 miles offshore in the Atlantic. The parish welcomes year-round residents and the many summer visitors who swell the island's population each season, celebrating Mass in its historic Chapel Street church in summer and at the Spring Street Parish Center in the off-season. Part of the Diocese of Providence and led today by Rev. Joseph Protano, the parish describes itself as an 'extended family that spans the globe,' committed to 'a spirit of faith and radical hospitality.' Its history stretches back to 1888, and its ministries range from a parish food pantry and the Not New Boutique thrift shop to faith formation, music, and the Block Island Catholic Ladies Guild.
- Established
- 1888 (first Mass, August 12); church blessed and dedicated July 8, 1900
- Patron
- Saint Andrew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Protano Jr.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence (Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island)
Why belong here
St. Andrew is the spiritual home for Catholics on Block Island — both for year-round islanders and the many summer residents and visitors who return each year. The parish keeps a tight-knit schedule of weekday and Sunday Masses in two locations (the historic Chapel Street church in season and the Spring Street Parish Center in the off-season), with Saturday confessions from 4:15–4:45 p.m. Members can plug into dozens of working ministries — faith formation for children and adults, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, choir, altar servers, ushers, the parish food pantry, the Not New Boutique thrift shop, the Block Island Catholic Ladies Guild, and the St. Andrew Fund for restoration. Newcomers and summer visitors are warmly invited to register so the parish can stay in touch and welcome them into the life of the community.
Mass times at St. Andrew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. (at Chapel Street Church in season; check with parish office for off-season location)
- By appointment — call (401) 466-5519
About St. Andrew Parish
Saint Andrew Roman Catholic Church on Block Island, Rhode Island, is the island's only Catholic parish. The parish describes itself as 'a welcoming parish, actively and joyfully celebrating our Catholic faith,' and asks newcomers and summer visitors to introduce themselves to a greeter at Mass. It is led by Rev. Joseph Protano Jr., Pastor, and is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence under Bishop Thomas Tobin and Auxiliary Bishop Robert Evans. The parish is registered as a corporation with two lay trustees (Phyllis Patricia Queally and Linda Ann Powers).
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph Protano Jr.
- Diocese: Diocese of Providence
- Parish Corporation President: Most Reverend Thomas Tobin, Bishop of Providence
- Parish Corporation Vice President: Most Reverend Robert Evans, Auxiliary Bishop
- Treasurer: Rev. Joseph Protano, Pastor
- Lay Trustees: Phyllis Patricia Queally and Linda Ann Powers
Saint Andrew the Apostle — Patron
The parish is named for and placed under the patronage of Saint Andrew the Apostle, brother of Saint Peter. According to parish teaching, Andrew was a fisherman from the Sea of Galilee whom Jesus called to be a disciple, and who was martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross known as a 'saltire' (also called 'St. Andrew's Cross'). The parish celebrates his feast day on November 30. Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen and singers — an apt choice for a seafaring island parish.
- Patron: Saint Andrew the Apostle
- Feast Day: November 30
- Also patron of fishermen and singers
Parish History
Catholic life on Block Island began informally in 1888 when Rev. John Daly, O.P., a Dominican Father who had come to the island to recover his health, obtained permission from Bishop Matthew Harkins to celebrate Mass. The first Mass was offered on Sunday, August 12, 1888 — at 6 a.m. for hotel workers and 10:30 a.m. for visitors. Priests from the Providence Cathedrals of Saints Peter and Paul then began to come regularly each July and August, celebrating in the old skating rink or another available hall. Before that, Catholics had to take the steamer to Stonington, Connecticut — a trip that consumed most of a Sunday.
- 1870s — Federal breakwater built at Old Harbor, drawing more summer residents to Block Island
- Until 1888 — Catholics took the steamer to Stonington, CT for Sunday Mass
- August 12, 1888 — First Mass offered by Fr. John Daly, O.P., with Bishop Harkins' permission
- 1898 — Patrick Flynn of Woonsocket purchased the Chapel Street parcel
- 1899 — Bishop Harkins hired contractor Michael J. Houlihan to build the church
- July 8, 1900 — Fr. William Stang blessed and dedicated the new church under the patronage of St. Andrew the Apostle
- 1917 — Rev. James P. O'Brien assigned as the parish's first full-time pastor
Building the Church and Parish Center
The 1900 Chapel Street church was built in sections off-island and shipped to Block Island on a schooner chartered from Darius Dodge. It was assembled within four weeks and seated 500. The old Spring Street house purchased by Fr. O'Brien in 1917 served as both rectory and winter chapel for decades. In 1979, Fr. Robert Randall conceived and built a new parish center and rectory across from the old rectory on Spring Street, dedicated on October 14, 1979 by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau, Bishop of Providence. In 1993, under Fr. Donal R. Kehew, the Chapel Street church underwent extensive renovations with the generous support of parishioners and visitors.
- 1900 — Chapel Street church built off-island in sections, shipped on a schooner, assembled in four weeks (500 seats)
- 1917 — Spring Street house purchased as rectory and winter chapel
- October 14, 1979 — Spring Street Parish Center and rectory dedicated by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau
- 1993 — Chapel Street church extensively renovated under Fr. Donal R. Kehew
Stained Glass and Sacred Art
St. Andrew's most distinctive artistic features are its stained-glass windows. During Fr. Randall's tenure, Katherina and Frederik Breydert designed 'The Six Days of Creation' windows and the Jesus and Mary windows — both unique to St. Andrew. The stained-glass windows that now glorify both sides of the Chapel Street nave were relocated from the former Chapel of St. Antoine in North Smithfield, Rhode Island and installed during the 1993 renovations. Ralph and Dorothy Greenlee also gave the parish a Steinway piano (now in the Spring Street Parish Center) and, to the Chapel Street church, the mahogany 'corpus' of Christ and the mission bell.
- 'The Six Days of Creation' stained-glass windows — designed by Katherina and Frederik Breydert (Fr. Randall era)
- Jesus and Mary stained-glass windows — designed by the Breyderts
- Nave stained-glass windows — relocated from the Chapel of St. Antoine, North Smithfield, RI
- Steinway piano — gift of the Greenlee family
- Mahogany 'corpus' of Christ — gift of Ralph and Dorothy Greenlee
- Mission bell — gift of the Greenlee family
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation for children and adults is coordinated through the parish with Deacon Steven Hester and John Cullen serving as Catechists and Laura Hester serving as Religious Education Director. Facilitators include Laura Hester, Roberta Closter, and David Turner. Families interested in faith formation or sacramental preparation are encouraged to contact the Parish Office.
- Catechists: Deacon Steven Hester, John Cullen
- Director of Religious Education: Laura Hester
- Facilitators: Laura Hester, Roberta Closter, David Turner
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of liturgical ministries support the parish's worship life, from the altar to the choir loft. The Liturgical Music Director is Betty Fitzpatrick, with Peter Greenman serving as Cantor and a choir drawn from the island community.
- Liturgical Music Director: Betty Fitzpatrick
- Choir / Cantor: Peter Greenman (Cantor); choir members include Sandy Greenman, Susan Coffin, Joe and Lynn Loya, Kay McManus, Rosemary Millea, Laura Hester, Samantha Hester, Susan Schaller, and volunteers
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist: David Graham, Sean and Cathy Kelly, Pat Queally, and other approved volunteers
- Lectors: Lorraine Cyr, Marguerite Donnelly, Maureen Flaherty, David Graham, Sean McGarry, Chris Orgen, Gerry Pierce, Carlos Salinas, Sue Schaller, Benjamin Casey, Mary Donnelly, Pat Queally, Samantha Hester, Wendy Northup, and other approved volunteers
- Altar Servers: Conor Spillane, Abbey Hester, and volunteers
- Ushers: volunteers
- Church Sacristan and Ministries' Coordinator: Phyllis 'Pat' Queally
Parish Governance
Parish governance is carried out through the Parish Finance Council, the Parish Pastoral Council, and a Parish Corporation under the Bishop of Providence.
- Parish Finance Council: Tom Doyle, Marguerite Donnelly, David Graham, Joe Loya, Sean McGarry, Rev. Joseph Protano (Pastor)
- Parish Pastoral Council: John Devlin, Tom Doyle, David Graham, Deacon Steven and Laura Hester, Wendy Northrup, Rev. Joseph Protano (Pastor), one Trustee, and Mary Donnelly (Member Emeritus, non-voting)
- Auditors: Gerry Pierce and Stephen M. Cushman, CPA, MST
- Buildings and Grounds Committee: Ed Northup (Chairperson), Bob Closter, Phyllis 'Pat' Queally
- Grass and Gardens: Denise Cloudo, Glenn Hall, Pat Queally
Outreach, Charity, and Community Life
St. Andrew Parish has a strong tradition of charitable and community ministry, anchored by the parish Food Pantry and the long-running Not New Boutique thrift ministry, with additional fundraising and service arms that connect the parish to the broader Diocese of Providence.
- Parish Food Pantry — Parish Liaison: Miriam 'Mimi' Leveille; General Chairpersons: David and Dottie Graham; Fr. Protano, Secretary/Treasurer
- Not New Boutique — Coordinator: Wendy Northup, with many volunteers
- Block Island Catholic Ladies Guild, Inc. — independent organization associated with the parish
- Catholic Charity Fund Appeal — Chairpersons: David and Dottie Graham; Pat Queally, Honorary Chairperson
- Bishop's Partnership in Charity (Diocesan) — Chairpersons: Linda Powers and Pat Queally; Fr. Protano, Pastor/Treasurer
- St. Andrew Fund (Restoration Major Fund Appeal) — Coordinators: Pat Queally, Linda Powers, and Fr. Protano
Visiting, Registering, and Getting in Touch
Summer visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at St. Andrew. The parish invites all who attend to introduce themselves to a greeter at Mass and to register as members so the parish can keep them informed about events and ministries. The Parish Office is at 22 Spring Street; phone (401) 466-5519; email [email protected]. Mailing address: P.O. Box 279, Block Island, RI 02807.
- Parish Office: 22 Spring Street, Block Island, RI 02807
- Mailing: P.O. Box 279, Block Island, RI 02807
- Phone: (401) 466-5519
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: saintandrewblockisland.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Daly, O.P. (Dominican Father)1888
Came to Block Island to recover his health; celebrated the first Mass on Sunday, August 12, 1888, with permission of Bishop Matthew Harkins.
- Fr. William Stang1900
Blessed the new Chapel Street church and offered its first Mass on July 8, 1900, placing it under the patronage of St. Andrew the Apostle.
- Rev. James P. O'Brien1917
First full-time pastor; purchased the old Spring Street house as his rectory and winter chapel.
- Rev. Robert Randall
Conceived and built the parish center and rectory across from the old rectory on Spring Street, dedicated Oct. 14, 1979 by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau; commissioned the Breydert stained-glass windows of 'The Six Days of Creation' and the Jesus and Mary windows.
- Rev. Donal R. Kehew1993
Led extensive renovations of the Chapel Street church; installed the stained-glass windows relocated from the Chapel of St. Antoine in North Smithfield, RI.
- Rev. Joseph Protano Jr.
Current pastor.