About St. Andrew · Sackets Harbor, New York
St. Andrew's Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Sackets Harbor, New York, serving the village and the surrounding town of Hounsfield in the north country region of upstate New York. It belongs to the Diocese of Ogdensburg and is currently linked with three neighboring parishes — the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Brownville/Dexter, Queen of Heaven in Henderson, and St. Cecilia's in Adams — having first been joined to Brownville and Dexter in 2008 as part of the diocesan planning process. The parish was founded in 1887 and remains rooted in the Eucharist and a clear mission to be the 'hands, feet, and heart of Christ' to local families and to those who have fallen away from the practice of the faith. A parish-run food pantry and a long-standing Altar & Rosary Society are among the visible ways the community lives out that mission.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- St. Andrew (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Shane M. Lynch
- Diocese
- Diocese of Ogdensburg (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. Andrew's is a small, mission-minded parish where a parishioner can really know the priest, the staff, and one another — a fitting match for the village of Sackets Harbor itself. The community centers on the Eucharist and 'reaching out to those in need, to those who have fallen away from the practice of their faith, and to those who have no church community.' Practical ways that mission comes to life include the St. Andrew's Food Pantry serving the town of Hounsfield and the Sackets Harbor School District, a long-running Altar & Rosary Society that hosts senior dinners and bake sales, a youth group, faith formation for all ages, and a Bereavement Committee that walks with families through loss. With nearly 140 years of history in the village, it is a parish where the Catholic presence in Sackets Harbor is woven into the town itself.
Mass times at St. Andrew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Sunday of the month after the 10:30 AM Mass (at St. Andrew's, Sackets Harbor)
- Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM (at Immaculate Conception, Brownville — listed on the linked-parishes schedule)
- Sundays 8:30–8:45 AM (at Immaculate Conception, Brownville — linked-parishes schedule)
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Andrew's describes itself as a Roman Catholic community in communion with the Diocese of Ogdensburg that, through the grace and life of the Sacraments — especially the Eucharist — celebrates its mission to help people 'know, understand and live the gospel.' The mission statement commits parishioners to love and serve one another in daily life, to reach out to those in need, to those who have fallen away from the practice of the faith, and to those who have no church community, aspiring to be 'the hands, feet and heart of Christ' to their families, the wider community, and the world.
History of the Parish
From its 1887 founding, St. Andrew's has been part of the Diocese of Ogdensburg (originally the Diocese of Ogdensburg's predecessor in northern New York), with the first resident pastor arriving in 1897 and the first verifiable resident pastor, Father Timothy Mahoney, appointed by Bishop Henry Gabriels in 1902. A succession of pastors shepherded the parish through the 20th century, with Father John Kennedy (1946–1964) widely remembered for building the present rectory, constructing Queen of Heaven Church in Henderson in 1957, and moving the St. Andrew's church building to its present Woolsey Street site in 1963. The parish was linked with the Catholic Community of Brownville and Dexter in 2008 under diocesan planning, and today shares pastoral leadership with Immaculate Conception (Brownville), Queen of Heaven (Henderson), and St. Cecilia's (Adams).
- 1887: St. Andrew's Church founded; placed under Rev. Tobias Glenn of Watertown.
- 1835–1891: Catholics in Sackets Harbor served from Watertown, then by Father Smythe of Brownville.
- 1897: First resident pastor, Rev. Leo Cochard.
- 1902: Father Timothy Mahoney becomes first verifiable resident pastor, with missions at Adams and Belleville.
- 1946: Beloved pastor Father John Kennedy arrives; serves until 1964.
- 1957: Queen of Heaven Church in Henderson erected under Father Kennedy.
- 1963: St. Andrew's Church moved to its present location.
- 1993–2008: Father Douglas Comstock's pastorate — building upgrades and the 2003 Funny Cide legend.
- 2008: Linkage with Brownville and Dexter parishes established.
- 2025: Father Shane Lynch assigned as pastor and Father Albert Hauser as parochial vicar.
Clergy & Pastoral Team
St. Andrew's is currently served by Pastor Father Shane Lynch (with email [email protected]) and Parochial Vicar Father Albert Hauser. Deacon Lawrence R. Ambeau and Deacon Gerald F. Bouchard assist the parish, along with Marilynn Hibbard (Bookkeeper/Secretary), Tina Corey (Director of Faith Formation and Pastoral Associate), and David J. Schryver (Webmaster). The Diocese of Ogdensburg directory lists the parish's mailing address as PO Box 99, Brownville, NY 13615.
- Pastor: Rev. Shane M. Lynch
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Albert J. Hauser
- Deacons: Lawrence R. Ambeau; Gerald F. Bouchard
- Director of Faith Formation & Pastoral Associate: Tina Corey
- Bookkeeper/Secretary: Marilynn Hibbard
- Webmaster: David J. Schryver
Pastoral Team & Volunteers
Lay volunteers carry much of the parish's day-to-day life. Sister Janet Peters, a Sister of Mercy who 'retired' into the former St. Andrew's rectory in 2009, leads Bible studies and the prayer group, trains ministers to the sick and homebound, and serves in hospital ministry at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown. The parish website lists faith formation, youth ministry, the Altar & Rosary Society, the Bereavement Committee, and the food pantry as the main channels for getting involved.
- Sister Janet Peters, S.S.M. — Bible studies, prayer group, hospital and homebound ministry.
- Tina Corey — Faith Formation and Pastoral Associate.
- Marilynn Hibbard — Parish office contact (315-782-1143).
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for parishioners of all ages is led by Tina Corey, Director of Faith Formation and Pastoral Associate. Sister Janet Peters complements this work with Bible studies and a prayer group rooted in the parish, while Father Tom Moody (pastor 1973–1980) is credited in parish memory with leading many young people and adults into deeper prayer — a spiritual legacy the current programs continue. The website links to forms and registration materials for ongoing formation.
- Faith Formation Director & Pastoral Associate: Tina Corey ([email protected]).
- Adult Bible studies and prayer group led by Sister Janet Peters, S.S.M.
- Preparation for the Sacraments (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage).
Youth Ministry
A parish Youth Group is listed on the parish website's main navigation as an active ministry. The Youth Group is part of the broader faith formation effort led by the Director of Faith Formation and Pastoral Associate.
- Parish Youth Group (contact via the parish office).
Altar & Rosary Society
The St. Andrew's Altar & Rosary Society has been an integral part of the parish for generations. Its women members lead the Rosary before Mass during May and October, attend calling hours for parishioners, host bereavement receptions, support ecumenical dinners, assist the Knights of Columbus with special parish functions, back the food pantry, and weekly clean and arrange the church. The Society also contributes to Catholic Charities, the Bishop's Fund, retired-priest Christmas gifts, Unbound, Camp Guggenheim, the Jubilee Shop, and other causes as decided by the membership.
- President: Barb Westphal
- Vice President: Olla Assid
- Treasurer: Jane Jenkins
- Secretary: Cec Perkins
- Correspondence Secretary: Suzie Brockman
- Meetings: third Sunday of each month, 11:30 AM, after the 10:30 Mass, in the Parish Center.
- Fundraisers: senior dinners, hot dog sales, bake sales, donations.
- Contact: [email protected]; PO Box 555, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685.
Outreach: St. Andrew's Food Pantry
The St. Andrew's Food Pantry is located in the Parish Center at the corner of Woolsey and East Main Street in Sackets Harbor. It serves individuals and families in the town of Hounsfield and the Sackets Harbor School District. The pantry is open on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with emergency service available by appointment, and donations are always welcome.
- Location: Parish Center, corner of Woolsey and East Main Street, Sackets Harbor.
- Hours: Thursdays, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM (emergency by appointment).
- Contact: Cecilia Perkins — Home (315) 646-2169; Cell (315) 559-1516.
- Donations always welcome.
Bereavement Committee & Pastoral Care
The Bereavement Committee and Altar & Rosary Society together make up the parish's primary ministry to families at the time of a loved one's death, including attendance at calling hours and hosting bereavement receptions. Sister Janet Peters, S.S.M., trains ministers to the sick and homebound and provides hospital ministry at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, complementing this lay work.
- Bereavement Committee (parish ministries listed on website navigation).
- Bereavement receptions hosted by the Altar & Rosary Society.
- Ministers to the sick and homebound (training coordinated by Sister Janet Peters).
- Hospital ministry at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown.
Sacraments
The parish website lists 'Sacraments' as a main navigation item, indicating standard preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, Reconciliation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Reconciliation at St. Andrew's itself is offered on the first Sunday of the month following the 10:30 AM Mass, with additional Saturday and Sunday slots available at the linked Immaculate Conception parish in Brownville. Couples and families are encouraged to contact the parish office to begin preparation well in advance.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- First Eucharist (First Communion)
- Reconciliation (Confession) — first Sunday after the 10:30 AM Mass at St. Andrew's.
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick / Ministry to the homebound
Location, Buildings & Visiting
The parish complex is centered on Woolsey Street in the village of Sackets Harbor: the church is at 107 Woolsey Street, the rectory at 112 East Main Street, and the Parish Center (which houses the food pantry) at 101 Woolsey Street. The mailing address for the rectory office is PO Box 99, Brownville, NY 13615. The site directs visitors to update bookmarks because, as part of the broader linkage, the parish now shares one diocesan site with Immaculate Conception (Brownville/Dexter), Queen of Heaven (Henderson), and St. Cecilia's (Adams).
- Church: 107 Woolsey Street, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685.
- Rectory: 112 East Main Street, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685.
- Parish Center (food pantry): 101 Woolsey Street, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685.
- Mailing: PO Box 99, Brownville, NY 13615.
- Phone: (315) 782-1143.
- Email: [email protected].
Linked Parishes
Because of declining priest numbers in the Diocese of Ogdensburg, St. Andrew's is now pastorally linked with three other Catholic worship communities, sharing clergy and sacramental scheduling while retaining each community's distinct identity and character. The original 2008 linkage was with the Catholic Community of Brownville and Dexter; the linkage has since broadened to include Queen of Heaven in Henderson and St. Cecilia's in Adams.
- Immaculate Conception — Brownville/Dexter (linked 2008).
- Queen of Heaven — Henderson.
- St. Cecilia's — Adams.
Calendar, Bulletins & Announcements
The parish calendar of events and Mass schedules are maintained on the parish website, with the most up-to-date information found in the weekly bulletin, which the parish publishes and links to online under 'Current and Recent Bulletin.' For current events, visitors are encouraged to consult the bulletin or call the parish office at (315) 782-1143.
- Calendar of Events page on the parish website.
- Current and Recent Bulletin — accessible from the parish website.
- Forms page for parish paperwork.
Getting Involved
Parish ministries are open to newcomers, and the parish's small size makes it easy to find a role. The Altar & Rosary Society explicitly welcomes new members at its third-Sunday-of-the-month meetings in the Parish Center, and the food pantry welcomes both donations and volunteer help during its Thursday hours.
- Join the Altar & Rosary Society (monthly meetings).
- Volunteer at the Food Pantry on Thursdays.
- Join the Youth Group or help with Faith Formation.
- Serve on the Bereavement Committee.
- Train as a minister to the sick and homebound through Sister Janet Peters.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Tobias Glenn (pastor of St. Patrick's, Watertown)1887
First pastor given care of St. Andrew's after its founding.
- Rev. Leo Cochard1897 (short tenure)
First resident pastor.
- Rev. Timothy Mahoney1902–1906
First verifiable resident pastor; also oversaw missions at Adams and Belleville.
- Rev. Michael Fogarty1906–1908
Rented a house on Monroe Street that the parish later bought as a rectory.
- Rev. Joseph Tierney1908–1910
- Rev. C. P. Hurley1910–1913
- Rev. Art Kenny1913
- Rev. Hollis1913
- Rev. D. Burns1913
- Rev. Aloysius McMahon1913–1915
- Rev. Frederick Hatch1915–1917
- Rev. James McClure1917–1930
- Rev. Michael Kelly1930–1935
- Rev. Frances Maguire1935–1944
Renovated the rectory and church; cared for soldiers and families at Madison Barracks during WWII.
- Rev. Patrick Thompson1944–1946
Served as administrator.
- Rev. John Kennedy1946–1964 (until May 26, 1964)
Beloved pastor, farmer who delivered eggs to needy families; built the present rectory, erected Queen of Heaven Church in Henderson (1957), moved St. Andrew's to its current site (1963), and began the parish center.
- Rev. Edwin Kennedy1964–1970
Completed the parish center, dedicated by Bishop Donnellan in 1968.
- Rev. William Meunch1970–1973
Founded the parish prayer group in 1972.
- Rev. Tom Moody1973–1980
Deeply spiritual leader; launched the campaign to renovate the church bell in 1979.
- Rev. Liam O'Dougherty1980–1993
- Rev. Douglas Comstock1993–2008
Upgraded all parish properties; led the parishes into the 2008 linkage.
- Rev. Kevin O'Brien2008–2012
First pastor of the linked Brownville–Dexter–Sackets Harbor parishes.
- Rev. J. Michael Gaffney2012–2021 (retired June 16, 2021)
- Rev. Donald RobinsonJune 2021–June 2025 (retired)
- Rev. Shane M. LynchJuly 2025–present
Current pastor, accompanied by Rev. Albert J. Hauser as Parochial Vicar.