About St. Anthony · Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Saint Anthony's Church of Portsmouth is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Providence, located at 2836 East Main Road in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The parish was established in the early 1900s and remains a small, tight-knit faith community serving Catholics on Aquidneck Island. Weekend and weekday Masses are celebrated at the parish church, with Holy Day schedules posted in the bulletin. The parish is currently administered by Very Rev. David G. Thurber, Jr., who also serves as Pastor of neighboring St. Barnabas Parish in Portsmouth, assisted by Deacon Paul St. Laurent and a small lay staff.
- Established
- 1901 (parish history per GCatholic); incorporated 1908 per Rhode Island Secretary of State
- Patron
- Saint Anthony (of Padua, the Franciscan preacher and Doctor of the Church traditionally invoked by the faithful)
- Rector
- Very Rev. David G. Thurber, Jr. (Parochial Administrator, appointed October 15, 2024, while continuing as Pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, Portsmouth)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. Anthony's is a small, welcoming Portsmouth parish where the office staff and clergy know parishioners by name, and where new arrivals are personally invited to register and become part of the parish family. With a weekly schedule that includes Saturday Vigil, Sunday and weekday Masses, a Friday morning Rosary before Mass, Saturday confessions, and baptismal preparation for parents, the parish offers the core rhythms of Catholic life in a tight-knit island community. Under the joint care of Very Rev. David G. Thurber, Jr. and Deacon Paul St. Laurent, alongside a parish council and a director of music, the church provides a stable, traditional home for Catholics on the east side of Aquidneck Island.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (and by appointment)
About Saint Anthony's Parish
Saint Anthony's Church of Portsmouth is a Catholic parish of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, situated on the east side of Aquidneck Island at 2836 East Main Road. The parish is staffed by a parochial administrator, a deacon, and a small team of lay employees serving music, office, finances, and facility needs. Visitors and newcomers are explicitly welcomed on the parish website with an invitation to call the office (401-683-0089) and register as members.
- Parish office: 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871
- Phone: (401) 683-0089
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stanthonych.org/
- Diocese: Diocese of Providence
Parish History
GCatholic dates the church's history to 1901, while Rhode Island's Secretary of State records the formal incorporation of Saint Anthony's Church of Portsmouth on October 20, 1908 as a domestic non-profit corporation whose stated purpose was 'to teach religion and morality.' The 1908 articles of incorporation are still preserved in the Rhode Island State Archives as folder #42A in the 'Articles of Incorporation: Catholic Churches, 1869-1972' collection. On September 26, 2024 the Diocese of Providence announced that, effective October 15, 2024, longtime pastor Reverend Daniel J. Gray would retire from active ministry and become Pastor Emeritus, while Very Reverend David J. Thurber was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Anthony Parish while continuing as Pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Portsmouth.
- History begins 1901 (per GCatholic).
- Formally incorporated in Rhode Island on October 20, 1908.
- Diocesan assignments notice of September 26, 2024 changed parish leadership effective October 15, 2024.
- Corporate purpose on file: 'TO TEACH RELIGION AND MORALITY.'
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by a Parochial Administrator, Very Rev. David G. Thurber, Jr., who also continues as Pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Portsmouth, and is assisted by Deacon Paul St. Laurent. Rev. Daniel J. Gray, who served as Pastor before retiring from active ministry on October 15, 2024, holds the title of Pastor Emeritus. The lay staff supports the parish's liturgical, administrative, financial, and facility needs.
- Parochial Administrator — Very Rev. David G. Thurber, Jr.
- Pastor Emeritus — Rev. Daniel J. Gray
- Deacon Assistant — Deacon Paul St. Laurent
- Director of Music / Organist — Mrs. Donna O'Malley
- Parish Secretary — Mrs. Amy McRoy
- Bookkeeper — Mrs. Joyce Medeiros
- Plant Manager — Mr. Thomas Nott
- Parish Council President — Mr. Stanley Spencer
Liturgy & Music
Liturgical music is directed by Mrs. Donna O'Malley, who serves as Director of Music / Organist. The parish follows a simple weekly Mass schedule, with the faithful gathering for Saturday Vigil, Sunday, and Friday morning Masses, and a Rosary prayed at 8:00 AM before the Friday Mass.
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the core sacraments of Catholic life. Baptism is celebrated for infants of registered parishioners who have completed the required preparation class (no baptisms during Lent). Confession is offered each Saturday afternoon before the Vigil Mass and by appointment. Holy Day Masses are noted in the bulletin or by calling the parish office.
- Baptism — preparation class required; no baptisms during Lent
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:30 PM and by appointment
- Holy Day Masses — see bulletin / call parish office
Parish Life & Ministries
Beyond the Sunday liturgy, parish life at St. Anthony's centers on a small, hands-on team of lay leaders and volunteers organized around the parish council and the music ministry. The website invites new parishioners to become 'an active member of St. Anthony's Parish Family' by registering through the parish office.
- Parish Council — President Mr. Stanley Spencer
- Director of Music / Organist — Mrs. Donna O'Malley
- Parish Secretary — Mrs. Amy McRoy
- Bookkeeper — Mrs. Joyce Medeiros
- Plant Manager — Mr. Thomas Nott
- New parishioner registration via the parish office
Parish Office
The parish office handles registrations, sacramental scheduling, bulletin information, and general inquiries. The office is open four days a week, with a half day on Friday and a mid-week schedule Monday through Wednesday.
- Address: 2836 East Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871
- Phone: (401) 683-0089
- Fax: (401) 683-9680
- Email: [email protected]
- Hours: Mon–Wed 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Patron Saint
The parish is named for Saint Anthony of Padua, the Portuguese-born Franciscan friar (1195–1231), preacher, Doctor of the Church, and traditional patron invoked for the recovery of lost items. The parish's principal patron feast is celebrated in the universal Church on June 13.
- Saint Anthony of Padua (1195–1231), Lisbon → Padua
- Franciscan preacher and Doctor of the Church
- Feast day: June 13
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Daniel J. GrayServed as Pastor until retirement
Retired from active ministry on October 15, 2024 and named Pastor Emeritus of St. Anthony Parish, per Diocese of Providence assignments notice of September 26, 2024.
- Very Rev. David G. Thurber, Jr.Effective October 15, 2024
Appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Anthony Parish while continuing as Pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, Portsmouth, per Diocese of Providence assignments notice of September 26, 2024.