About St. Anthony of Padua · Syracuse, New York
St. Anthony of Padua is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic parish in the west-side Midland Avenue–Colvin Street neighborhood of Syracuse, New York, in the Diocese of Syracuse. Founded in 1901 to serve the former Village of Elmwood area, the parish worships today in its historic 1911–12 Romanesque Revival church designed by the prominent local architect Archimedes Russell, a building now part of a four-building complex listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The parish is currently pastored by Fr. Brendan Foley with Fr. John Kurgan serving as Parochial Vicar for the Spanish Apostolate, and all administrative work is handled out of the parish office at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt.
- Established
- 1901
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Fr. Brendan D. Foley
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua is one of Syracuse's distinctively bilingual parishes, offering Sunday Mass in both English (9 AM) and Spanish (11 AM), a Spanish Bible study on Wednesdays, and a Spanish-language Holy Hour of Reconciliation on Saturdays. With a small, intentional community anchored in the historic 1911–12 Romanesque Revival church on Midland Avenue, the parish pairs traditional Catholic devotions — weekly Monday Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, weekday Mass, First Communion and Confirmation prep, and a Spanish Apostolate led by Fr. John Kurgan — with the warm, simple welcome St. Anthony himself is famous for. As the parish puts it, 'Come find peace. Come find community. Come find life. You belong with us.'
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 12:00–1:00 PM (during the Holy Hour, subject to change due to funerals/parish commitments; offered in English and Spanish)
- Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM at Holy Cross Church (Padre is often available in Spanish if requested)
- By appointment with Fr. Foley
Adoration times
- Mondays 6:00–7:00 PM — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction (Exposition and silent adoration 6:00–6:35, Quiet Praise & Worship Music 6:35–6:50, Benediction 6:55 PM)
- Wednesdays 6:00 PM — Simple Adoration before the 6:30 PM daily Mass
- Saturdays 12:00–1:00 PM — Holy Hour (with Confessions)
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Anthony of Padua describes itself as a 'bilingual church' — committed to making Jesus Christ known and loved in both English and Spanish, and grounded in the Catholic Church and her Sacraments. The parish's own welcome page leans on the patronage of St. Anthony: 'Traditionally, St. Anthony is one of the most beloved patrons called on for helping find whatever has been lost. Following his example we strive to lovingly welcome the stranger and lead them to the Lord.' The site's invitation — 'Come find peace. Come find community. Come find life. You belong with us!' — sets the tone for a small, intentional community.
- Parish tagline: 'Proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ in Syracuse'
- Bilingual English / Spanish identity
- Hospitality rooted in the Gospel
History of the Parish
St. Anthony of Padua was established in 1901 out of the territory of St. Lucy's parish, on the southwest side of Syracuse in what had been the Village of Elmwood. The first Mass was celebrated in a building on South Salina Street; later that year the parish bought a lot at Midland Avenue and West Colvin Street and built a frame Gothic chapel dedicated September 15, 1901 by Bishop Ludden. Within five years the congregation outgrew the chapel and commissioned the present brick church, dedicated June 9, 1912 with Bishop Thomas Hickey of Rochester preaching. A school and convent followed in 1926, a rectory in 1941, and a connecting passage in 1960. The four surviving buildings — church, convent, school, and rectory — were placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Established 1901 (formed from St. Lucy's parish)
- First chapel dedicated September 15, 1901 by Bishop Patrick Ludden
- Present church dedicated June 9, 1912 (seating ~1,000)
- School and convent built 1926; expanded 1936
- Rectory built 1941; enclosed passage to church 1960
- Complex listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Architecture & Historic Complex
The 1911–12 church is a Romanesque Revival design attributed to Archimedes Russell of the firm Russell and King. Its later entrance modifications are believed to be by Russell's partner Melvin King. The 1926 Tudor Revival convent was also designed by Melvin King; the 1926 school was built by engineer Albert Acheson; the 1941 rectory is in the Italian Renaissance Revival style. A 1960 addition connected the rectory to the church by an enclosed passageway and garage.
- 1911–12 church — Romanesque Revival, Archimedes Russell (Russell & King)
- 1926 convent — Tudor Revival, Melvin King
- 1926 school — Albert Acheson, engineer
- 1941 rectory — Italian Renaissance Revival
- 1960 enclosed passage/garage connecting rectory to church
Sacraments & Sacramental Formation
The parish's 'Sacraments' page, framed with a quote from St. Anthony of Padua — 'The garden is the soul, in which Christ, like a gardener, plants the sacraments of the faith…' — welcomes inquiries about all seven sacraments. Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is underway; those interested in Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, or Anointing of the Sick are invited to email Fr. Foley. The site also lists 'Sacramental Formation / Becoming Catholic' for those preparing to enter the Church.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (preparation underway)
- Confirmation
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders inquiry
- Becoming Catholic (RCIA) / Sacramental Formation
- Reconciliation by appointment
Faith Formation & Ministries
St. Anthony's is intentionally a small parish, and its formation and ministry life is built around that scale. The parish 'Join Our Parish' form invites new members to volunteer in Catechesis, Hospitality, or as Liturgical Ministers (Lectors, Choir, Ushers/Greeters). The parish's bilingual identity is reflected in a Spanish Bible Study (Wednesdays via Zoom) and a Spanish Choir Rehearsal (Thursdays at 6:00 PM).
- Catechesis (Faith Formation / Sacramental Preparation)
- Liturgical Ministers — Lectors, Choir, Ushers, Greeters
- Hospitality / Welcoming
- Music Ministry — Simon Lynch, Director; Spanish Choir rehearsal Thursdays 6 PM
- Spanish Bible Study — Wednesdays 8 PM via Zoom
Why Visit St. Anthony of Padua
St. Anthony of Padua offers something rare in the Syracuse area: a small, intentionally bilingual Catholic community, anchored in a nationally registered historic 1911–12 Romanesque Revival church, with strong weekly devotions (Monday Adoration & Benediction, a Wednesday daily Mass, and a Saturday Holy Hour with Confessions). The parish is well known for its Spanish-language apostolate — the 11 AM Sunday Mass is regularly packed with First Communions and other family celebrations, and the parish openly celebrates Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month. As the parish's bulletin invites: 'Come find peace. Come find community. Come find life.'
- Bilingual English/Spanish parish in the Diocese of Syracuse
- Historic 1911–12 Romanesque Revival church (National Register of Historic Places)
- Weekly Monday Adoration & Benediction
- Spanish Apostolate led by Fr. John Kurgan
- Small, intentional community with active liturgical and formation ministries
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Quinn1914–c.1926
Started the parochial-school fund in 1914 and raised enough by 1919 to buy lots on West Colvin Street; he died before the school and convent were completed in 1926.