About St. Anthony of Padua · New York, New York
St. Anthony of Padua is a Roman Catholic parish church located at 154 Sullivan Street in lower Manhattan, at the corner of West Houston Street between the West Village and SoHo neighborhoods. Founded in 1859 as the first parish in the United States specifically created to serve the Italian immigrant community, it has been administered by the Franciscan Friars (Order of Friars Minor) since 1866. Today it serves as a territorial parish of the Archdiocese of New York for Greenwich Village, SoHo, and Tribeca, and is well known locally for its weekly outdoor flea market on West Houston Street.
- Established
- 1859 (re-established 1866)
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Corcione, OFM
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New York
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua offers a rare combination: a historic, art-rich church in the heart of Greenwich Village staffed by Franciscan friars whose community has served this parish since 1866, plus a genuinely welcoming, small-parish feel. Worshippers can serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, choir members, or altar servers, gather with the active Young Adults group (which hosts a monthly Holy Hour), enroll children in Pre-K through 8th-grade Faith Formation, and join the wider neighborhood at the famous St. Anthony's Market on West Houston Street. Its mission is to minister spiritually, sacramentally and physically to all who enter — a tradition rooted in the Italian immigrant founders who built America's first Italian national parish.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office at 212-777-2755)
Adoration times
- Young Adult Holy Hour: Last Wednesday of every month, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM, in the Friary Chapel at 154 Sullivan Street
- Holy Thursday Adoration: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
About St. Anthony of Padua Parish
St. Anthony of Padua is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of New York located at 154 Sullivan Street in lower Manhattan, on the corner of West Houston Street between the West Village and SoHo — three blocks south of Washington Square Park. Founded in 1859 as the first parish in the United States created specifically for Italian immigrants, it has been served by the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) since 1866. Its mission, as stated on the parish website, is 'to minister spiritually, sacramentally and physically to all who enter our doors.' The parish also runs the popular St. Anthony's Market on West Houston Street, an outdoor artisan market named one of the best flea markets in New York City.
History of the Parish
The parish traces its origin to 1859, when a priest named Sanguinetti came from Italy with the approval of Archbishop John Hughes to minister to New York's Italian immigrant community. After Sanguinetti returned to Italy within a year, Archbishop John McCloskey asked Father Pamfilo of Magliano, Minister Provincial of the Franciscan friars at St. Bonaventure College in Allegheny, New York, to take over. Friar Leo Pacilio, a Neapolitan, re-established the parish in 1866 in the former Sullivan Street Methodist Episcopal Church (built 1839), and the church was solemnly dedicated on April 10, 1866 by Cardinal McCloskey — the first cardinal of New York. Between 1886 and 1888, under pastor Rev. Anacletus Di Angelis, OFM, the present Romanesque Revival church was built to designs by architect Arthur Crooks, and a separate friary was added behind it on Thompson Street to serve as the Franciscan provincial headquarters. The Houston Street facade, originally hidden by tenement buildings, was exposed when those buildings were demolished during the widening of West Houston Street in the early 1930s; that side today opens onto a parish garden.
- 1859: First Italian national parish in the United States founded by Rev. Sanguinetti
- 1866: Re-established under Franciscan Friars; Friar Leo Pacilio appointed; church dedicated April 10, 1866 by Cardinal John McCloskey
- 1886–1888: Present Romanesque Revival church built, designed by Arthur Crooks
- 1902–2005: Parish operated a K-8 school on Mac Dougal Street
- 1938: Brother Richard Fagan, OFM dies rescuing friars from a friary fire
The Church Building and Architecture
The current church is a Romanesque Revival building designed by architect Arthur Crooks and constructed between 1886 and 1888. The ornate Sullivan Street facade contrasts with the more austere Houston Street side, which was once concealed behind tenement buildings until they came down during the widening of West Houston Street in the early 1930s. That newly opened side is now used as a parish garden. The church houses a shrine and relic of St. Anthony of Padua that draws devotees year-round, and its stained glass and interior appointments reflect the devotion of the Italian community that built and sustained it.
- Architect: Arthur Crooks
- Style: Romanesque Revival
- Years built: 1886–1888
- Shrine and relic of St. Anthony of Padua
- Garden on the West Houston Street side (former hidden facade)
The Franciscan Friars at St. Anthony's
The parish has been administered continuously by the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) since 1866. The friars live in the friary on Thompson Street directly behind the church, a building that also historically served as provincial headquarters for the Minister Provincial of the order in this region. Today the pastoral staff is led by Fr. Michael Corcione, OFM as pastor, with Br. Charles Trebino, OFM serving as pastoral associate. The Franciscan charism — simplicity, hospitality, care for the poor — shapes the parish's ministry in the heart of Manhattan.
- Order: Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans)
- Friary: Thompson Street, behind the church
- Pastor: Rev. Michael Corcione, OFM
- Pastoral Associate: Br. Charles Trebino, OFM
Father Fagan Park and Parish Memory
On the night of November 4, 1938, the friary behind the church caught fire. A 27-year-old friar, Brother Richard Fagan, OFM, escaped the flames but went back into the building twice to rescue Fathers Louis Vitale and Bonaventure Pons. On his third return he was trapped, badly burned, and had to break through a window onto a neighboring roof. He was taken to Columbus Hospital, where he died of his injuries. The City of New York honored his sacrifice in 1941 by naming the small park at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Prince Streets 'Father Fagan Park.' It remains one of the most poignant memorials to a Franciscan's heroism in New York.
- Fire: November 4, 1938
- Hero: Brother Richard Fagan, OFM (age 27)
- Memorial: Father Fagan Park, Sixth Avenue and Prince Street, dedicated 1941
Feast of St. Anthony and Holy Week
Each year on the weekend closest to June 13, St. Anthony of Padua celebrates its patronal feast with extra Masses, food vendors, games and music on the street, and a traditional procession of the St. Anthony statue after the 5:00 PM Saturday Mass — an event the parish describes as 'exciting and not to be missed.' Holy Week services include a 7:00 PM Mass on Holy Thursday followed by Adoration and Confessions, a 3:00 PM Celebration of the Passion and 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, morning Confessions on Holy Saturday, and the 7:00 PM Easter Vigil Mass.
- Feast of St. Anthony: Saturday 8:00 AM, 12:10 PM, 5:00 PM (with procession); Sunday 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
- Holy Thursday: Mass 7:00 PM; Adoration and Confessions 8:00–10:00 PM
- Good Friday: Confessions 8:00 AM–12:00 Noon; Passion 3:00 PM; Stations 7:00 PM
- Holy Saturday: Confessions 8:00 AM–12:00 Noon; Easter Vigil 7:00 PM
- Easter Sunday: 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Parish Ministries and Volunteer Opportunities
St. Anthony's welcomes parishioners to participate in liturgical roles — lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, altar servers and the choir — as well as in faith formation, outreach and the Young Adults community. The parish invites newcomers to join in any of these ministries; the parish website explicitly notes opportunities to volunteer, attend special events, or take part in the Mass as a lector, altar server, usher or Eucharistic minister.
- Young Adults (monthly Holy Hour, social events, faith studies, community outreach)
- Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Altar Servers
- Ushers
- Choir
- Faith Formation (catechists and volunteers)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education is offered for children from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade, including sacramental preparation for First Penance (Reconciliation), First Eucharist (Communion), and Confirmation. The parish invites parents to call the Religious Education office at (212) 777-2755 for more information or to register a child.
- Pre-K through 8th grade catechesis
- First Penance preparation
- First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Contact: 212-777-2755
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
In addition to weekly Mass and Reconciliation, St. Anthony of Padua prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation and Marriage. The friars also visit the sick: parishioners are encouraged to call the parish office to arrange Anointing of the Sick and to request Communion calls to the hospitalized and homebound.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- First Penance, First Eucharist, Confirmation — via Faith Formation
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office to arrange pastoral visitation
- Communion to the hospitalized and homebound — call the parish office
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Anthony of Padua is led by Music Minister Paul Alberts and Leader of Song Christine Sperry, with the parish choir inviting singers to join in supporting the sung Mass. The parish's live video stream of the Sunday 11:00 AM Mass lets absent parishioners and friends of the parish participate remotely.
- Music Minister: Paul Alberts
- Leader of Song: Christine Sperry
- Choir — open to new members
- Sunday 11:00 AM Mass livestreamed on the parish website
St. Anthony's Market
One of the best-known features of the parish in the wider neighborhood is St. Anthony's Market, an outdoor artisan flea market named by many guides as one of the best flea markets in New York City. Vendors set up along West Houston Street outside the church from Thursday through Sunday, offering artisan crafts, jewelry, art, clothing, records and more. The market brings thousands of visitors to the parish block each week and is part of the parish's broader community presence.
- Hours: Thursday through Sunday
- Location: West Houston Street outside the church
- Vendors: artisan crafts, jewelry, art, clothing, records
Pastoral Staff and Parish Office
The day-to-day life of St. Anthony of Padua is carried by a small Franciscan-led team. Fr. Michael Corcione, OFM serves as pastor, with Br. Charles Trebino, OFM as pastoral associate. Lay staff include the music minister, leader of song, parish business manager, facilities manager and office administrator. Ana Simoes is the office administrator; Theresa Salfi-Bent is the parish business manager; Hilario Santiago is facilities manager.
- Pastor: Fr. Michael Corcione, OFM — [email protected]
- Pastoral Associate: Br. Charles Trebino, OFM — [email protected]
- Parish Business Manager: Theresa Salfi-Bent — [email protected]
- Office Administrator: Ana Simoes — [email protected]
- Music Minister: Paul Alberts
- Leader of Song: Christine Sperry
- Facilities Manager: Hilario Santiago
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fr. Leo Pacilio, OFM1866–?
Native of Naples; assigned by Minister Provincial Pamfilo of Magliano to re-establish the Italian parish; oversaw 1866 dedication.
- Rev. Joachim Guerrini, OFM–1871
- Rev. James Titta, OFM1871–1877
- Rev. Anacletus Di Angelis, OFM1877–1890
Oversaw construction of the present Romanesque Revival church, 1886–1888.
- Rev. Arthur Lattanzi, OFMc. 1950s–1960s
- Rev. Roderick Crispo, OFM1970s
- Rev. Felician Napoli, OFM1970s
- Rev. Patrick D. Boyle, OFM1980s
- Rev. Daniel B. Morey, OFM1990s
- Rev. Joseph F. Lorenzo, OFM1990s
- Rev. Mario Julian, OFMthrough 2022
- Rev. Michael Corcione, OFM2022–present
Current pastor per the parish website.