About St. Anthony (St. John The Evangelist Parish) · Schenectady, New York
St. Anthony's Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Schenectady, New York, founded in 1902 by Italian-American immigrants as the first Italian national parish in the city. Named in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua, it remains a vibrant Italian-heritage community within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and today worships bilingually, offering a weekly Mass in Spanish alongside its English liturgy. The parish shares pastoral ministry with neighboring St. John the Evangelist Church under Pastor Rev. Richard Carlino, and runs a combined Faith Formation program and the historic St. Anthony's school (now Rosa Venerini Early Childhood Center).
- Established
- 1902
- Patron
- Saint Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Richard Carlino
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Anthony's is a welcoming Italian-heritage parish that still lives its immigrant founders' mission of proclaiming the Gospel through time, talent, and treasure. It serves a bilingual community with English and Spanish Masses each Sunday, a robust combined Faith Formation program for grades 1-11, Adult Faith Formation, liturgical and music ministries in both languages, a dedicated Pastoral Care and Bereavement Minister, and the historic St. Anthony's school (now Rosa Venerini Early Childhood Center). Families, cradle Italians, and newer Spanish-speaking neighbors find a parish that honors tradition while actively rebuilding after its 2014 fire.
Mass times at St. Anthony (St. John The Evangelist Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only — call Father Carlino at (518) 374-4591 ext 9 no later than 3:00 PM the Wednesday before.
Adoration times
- Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (per the Diocese of Albany parish listing)
- Wednesday at 12:00 Noon (per the parish schedule page)
- Holy Day Adoration: see weekly bulletin
Parish History & Italian-American Heritage
St. Anthony's was born in 1902 when Italian-American immigrants in Schenectady pooled $4,000 to buy a former Presbyterian chapel on Park Place and name it for the beloved Italian saint Anthony of Padua. The parish grew rapidly under its first Italian-born pastor, Rev. Giovanni Bencivenga, and remained deeply tied to Italian heritage through the long tenure (1916–1969) of Rev. Michael A. Bianco. The 1921 brick church — built with 'nickels and dimes' from immigrant families — remains the spiritual home of the community more than a century later.
- Founded August 15, 1902 (Feast of the Assumption)
- First pastor: Rev. Don Giovanni Bencivenga (from Alvignano, Caserta, Italy)
- Second pastor: Rev. Michael A. Bianco (1916–1969, 53 years)
- Brick church begun 1921, completed c.1924
- Renovated in the 1980s
- Fire of March 7, 2014; services relocated to St. John the Evangelist
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Anthony's and St. John the Evangelist have combined their Faith Formation programs so that all classes for grades 1–11 are now conducted at the St. John's Parish Center. Dianne Galarneau serves as Director of Religious Education and Adult Faith Formation and provides training for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion as well as Adult Faith Formation topics.
- Religious Education for Grades 1–10/11
- Adult Faith Formation
- Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — In-Service Training
- Combined with St. John the Evangelist (conducted at St. John's Parish Center)
- Director: Dianne Galarneau — (518) 372-3381 ext 226, [email protected]
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Liturgy and music are central to parish life at St. Anthony's, with separate music directors for the English and Spanish communities. Br. Ron McClosky serves as Director of Liturgical Ministries and coordinates the parish's liturgical schedule.
- English Music Minister: Mark Reilly
- Spanish Music Minister: Norma Cortes
- Director of Liturgical Ministries: Br. Ron McClosky
- Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Pastoral Care & Bereavement
Brother Ron McClosky ministers to parishioners who are sick, homebound, grieving, or in need of spiritual support. His ministry complements the sacramental and devotional life of the parish.
- Pastoral Care and Bereavement Minister: Br. Ron McClosky — (518) 847-3199
- Pastoral Associate: Sister Maria Rosa Querini, M.P.V.
- First Friday prayers/devotions
St. Anthony's Early Childhood Center
The parish school, originally established in 1958, was rebranded in 2011 as the Rosa Venerini Early Childhood Center. Located at 1840 Van Vranken Avenue, it is a private, independent, nonprofit early learning center governed by a board of directors and partners with the Schenectady City School District and Capital District Beginnings.
- Originally founded in the 1950s as St. Anthony's School
- Rebranded Rosa Venerini Early Childhood Center in 2011
- Address: 1840 Van Vranken Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308
- Programs: daycare, early preschool, Pre-K/UPK
- Executive Director: Jessica Rowell, MPA
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Anthony's is served by a pastor who also ministers to neighboring St. John the Evangelist and St. Mary's, two permanent deacons, a religious sister as pastoral associate, and a Brother who coordinates liturgy and pastoral care. The parish office is staffed weekdays by Parish Secretary Debbie May.
- Pastor: Rev. Richard Carlino
- Deacon Andrew Haskins — [email protected]
- Deacon Eric Ramirez — [email protected]
- Pastoral Associate: Sister Maria Rosa Querini, M.P.V.
- Pastoral Care / Liturgical Ministries: Br. Ron McClosky
- Religious Ed. & Adult Faith Formation: Dianne Galarneau
- Parish Secretary: Debbie May (press 7)
Locations, Contact & Visit
St. Anthony's maintains four locations in Schenectady. The main church is at 331 Seward Place, while the parish office is at 806 Union Street, the convent at 1834 Van Vranken Avenue, and the Early Childhood Center at 1840 Van Vranken Avenue. The parish can be reached at (518) 374-4591.
- Church: 331 Seward Place, Schenectady, NY 12305
- Parish Office: 806 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308
- Convent: 1834 Van Vranken Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308
- Early Childhood Center: 1840 Van Vranken Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308
- Parish Phone: (518) 374-4591
- Convent Phone: (518) 346-2060
- Email: [email protected]
Mission Statement
From the parish's own website: 'We endeavor to share our time, talent and treasure to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as His Church, to grow in faith and love, to act in charity and to serve all of His people.'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Don Giovanni Bencivenga1902–c.1916
First pastor; from Alvignano, province of Caserta, Italy; first Italian pastor in Schenectady; celebrated the parish's first Mass in Italian.
- Rev. Michael A. Bianco1916–1969
Second pastor; served 53 years until his death; built up the growing congregation during the brick-church construction era.
- Rev. Anthony R. DeFrancoReturned as pastor in 1989 (per Daily Gazette account); became pastor emeritus
Returned to lead the parish in his later years; later served as pastor emeritus at St. Anthony of Padua.
- Rev. Richard Carlino1989–1996 (first stint); 2008–present (second stint)
Current pastor; also serves St. John the Evangelist and St. Mary's; led parish through the 2014 fire and its relocation to St. John the Evangelist.
- Rev. John MedwidLeft for St. Mary's, Amsterdam (succeeded by Carlino)
Predecessor to Carlino's current assignment; cited in parish centennial coverage for his pastoral care.