About St. Augustine (St. Michael Parish) · Augusta, Maine
St. Michael Catholic Parish is the central-Maine Catholic community of the capital region, headquartered in Augusta and worshiping across six church sites in Augusta, Gardiner, Hallowell, Winthrop, and Whitefield. The parish was canonically established on July 1, 2007, by merging the former St. Mary of the Assumption, St. Augustine, St. Andrew, St. Joseph (Gardiner), and St. Denis (Whitefield) parishes; St. Francis Xavier in Winthrop (with mission St. Leo in Litchfield) joined in 2008. St. Augustine Church, on Northern Avenue in Augusta, was built in 1915–1916 by the city's Franco-American community and is remembered as the first stone church built by Franco-Americans in Maine. The parish also operates St. Michael School (PK3–grade 8), the area's consolidated Catholic elementary school.
- Established
- 2007
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel (parish patron); St. Augustine of Hippo (patron of the Augusta worship site at 75 Northern Avenue)
- Rector
- Rev. Nathan D. March
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland (Maine)
Why belong here
St. Michael Parish welcomes longtime Catholics, the newly curious, and newcomers to central Maine into one regional family spread across six worship sites in Augusta, Gardiner, Hallowell, Winthrop, and Whitefield. It runs St. Michael School (PK3–grade 8), a children's faith formation program built around Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, an OCIA process for adults seeking to become Catholic, sacramental preparation for baptism, first communion, and confirmation, plus fellowship groups and Knights of Columbus Council 334 service and rosary gatherings. Whether you want a quiet weekday Mass, a streamed Sunday liturgy, a Catholic education for your children, or simply a place to put down roots in the capital region, the parish describes itself as 'Central Maine's Catholic Community' ready to walk that journey with you.
Mass times at St. Augustine (St. Michael Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM (St. Augustine Church area, per parish-listed confession schedule)
- 6:00 PM (listed confession slot per CatholicChurchTimes St. Augustine page)
Parish Identity and History
St. Michael Catholic Parish calls itself 'Central Maine's Catholic Community, based in Augusta with worship sites in Gardiner, Hallowell, Winthrop, and Whitefield.' It was canonically established on July 1, 2007, by merging St. Mary of the Assumption, St. Augustine, and St. Andrew in Augusta, St. Joseph in Gardiner, and St. Denis in Whitefield; in 2008 St. Francis Xavier in Winthrop (with mission St. Leo in Litchfield) was added. The churches of St. Andrew and St. Leo were later closed because of budget constraints and a shortage of priests. The parish points newcomers to a Pastoral Center at 24 Washington Street, Augusta, and invites them to register, sign up for the e-newsletter, explore OCIA, or meet the clergy and staff.
- Established July 1, 2007 (canonical merger)
- St. Francis Xavier (and St. Leo mission) joined in 2008
- St. Andrew and St. Leo churches later closed
- Pastoral Center: 24 Washington Street, Augusta, ME 04330
Our Six Worship Sites
The parish operates six worship sites across five central-Maine communities, each with its own schedule of Masses and, in some cases, devotions. The flagship Augusta sites are St. Mary of the Assumption on Western Avenue (livestreamed) and St. Augustine on Northern Avenue; the others are St. Denis in Whitefield, St. Joseph in Gardiner, St. Francis Xavier in Winthrop, and Sacred Heart in Hallowell.
- St. Mary of the Assumption — 41 Western Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330 (livestreamed Sun 7:00 & 9:00 AM; Fri 4:30 PM)
- St. Augustine Church — 75 Northern Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330 (Sat 4:00 PM vigil; Sun 10:30 AM; daily 7:30 AM Mon–Sat)
- St. Denis Church — 298 Grand Army Road, Whitefield, ME 04353 (Sun 11:00 AM)
- St. Joseph Church — 110 School Street, Gardiner, ME 04345 (Sun 8:30 AM; Wed 5:30 PM)
- St. Francis Xavier Church — 130 U.S. Route 133, Winthrop, ME 04364 (Sat 4:00 PM; Sun 8:00 AM; Thu 8:00 AM)
- Sacred Heart Church — 14 Summer Street, Hallowell, ME 04345 (Sun 5:00 PM)
St. Augustine Church: Franco-American Heritage
On the face of Sand Hill in Augusta stands St. Augustine Church, the parish's storied granite landmark. Construction began in June 1915 and was completed in 1916, designed to seat more than 1,300 worshipers. The Diocese of Portland recognizes St. Augustine as the first stone church built by Franco-Americans in Maine. Parish tradition recounts that, when architects feared the foundation would give way, the Rev. Zenon Decarie kept an all-night prayer vigil and the next day builders found the ledge they needed. The 100th anniversary was marked in November 2016 with a 4 p.m. Mass and reception.
- Built 1915–1916, granite, seats 1,300+
- First stone Franco-American Catholic church in Maine (Diocese of Portland)
- Centennial Mass held November 2016
- 75 Northern Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330
Clergy and Pastoral Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Nathan D. March, supported by two Parochial Vicars from the HGN congregation (the Fathers of the Holy Ghost), Rev. Prabhu Toniyo Pastin Antony Raj, HGN, and Rev. Antonidass Amirthanathan, HGN, with Fr. Britto Amalogam, HGN, also listed in recent bulletins. Deacon Jeffrey Lewis assists. Lay staff include Gina Czerwinski (Pastoral Life Coordinator), Sr. Carol Martin (Faith Formation / Initiation Coordinator), Lisa Cooper (Parish Operations & Communication), Karol Skoby (Bookkeeping), Lisa Dumais (Parish Welcome Services), David Hayward (Property/Cemetery Manager), and James Pino (Sexton). Email follows the format [email protected].
- Pastor: Rev. Nathan D. March
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Toniyo Pastin Antony Raj, HGN; Rev. Antonidass Amirthanathan, HGN; Fr. Britto Amalogam, HGN
- Deacon Jeffrey Lewis
- Pastoral Life Coordinator: Gina Czerwinski
- Faith Formation/Initiation: Sr. Carol Martin
- Operations & Communications: Lisa Cooper
- Parish Welcome: Lisa Dumais
- Property/Cemetery: David Hayward
Faith Formation and OCIA
The parish runs children's Faith Formation built around Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, plus sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. For adults seeking full initiation, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is offered parish-wide, hosted by Faith Formation Director Shawn Gregory. Inquiry, catechumenate, and Lenten scrutinies each take place within the parish's regular liturgical life.
- Children's Faith Formation / Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- OCIA for adult initiation (contact Shawn Gregory)
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Bishop Ruggieri has celebrated Confirmation and First Communion at St. Augustine Church
St. Michael School
St. Michael School, the parish's PK3–grade 8 elementary school, was founded in 2007 by combining the long-standing St. Augustine and St. Mary schools. Operating from 56 Sewall Street in Augusta under the motto 'Faith, Dignity, Respect,' the school serves roughly 180–210 students with a coed, Catholic program that integrates faith, rigorous academics, athletics, and service. Students serve as altar servers, sing in choir, and participate in math, French, adventure, intramural soccer, and sports teams including soccer, field hockey, basketball, baseball, softball, golf, and tennis.
- Grades: PK3–8; ~180–210 students
- Founded 2007 from the merger of St. Augustine and St. Mary schools
- Motto: 'Faith, Dignity, Respect'
- Athletics: soccer, field hockey, basketball, baseball, softball, golf, tennis
- Co-curriculars: Children's Choir, French Club, Math Team, Adventure Club (grades 6–8)
- Contact: [email protected] or (207) 623-3491
Fellowship, Service, and Devotions
Beyond Mass and formation, St. Michael Parish sustains a network of fellowship groups, ministry and service opportunities, and regular devotions. The Knights of Columbus Council 334 leads a monthly parish Rosary — at 8:00 AM on the last Sunday at St. Mary (before the 9:00 AM Mass) and at 10:00 AM at St. Augustine (before the 10:30 AM Mass). The parish also points newcomers to its Ministry & Service arm (charitable outreach) and e-newsletter signup.
- Knights of Columbus Council 334 monthly Rosary at St. Mary and St. Augustine
- Fellowship groups (parish-wide)
- Ministry & Service / charitable outreach
- Parish e-Newsletter signup via stmichaelmaine.org
Visiting and Contact
Newcomers are invited to register online through the parish website, contact the Pastoral Office at (207) 623-8823 or [email protected], or stop by the center at 24 Washington Street, Augusta. Parish office hours are currently 8:00 AM–2:00 PM Monday–Thursday. Those who cannot attend in person can join the livestreamed Sunday Masses (7:00 and 9:00 AM) and Friday 4:30 PM Mass from St. Mary Church.
- Pastoral Office: (207) 623-8823
- Office hours: 8:00 AM–2:00 PM, Mon–Thu
- Email: [email protected]
- Livestreamed Masses from St. Mary Church
- St. Michael School office: (207) 623-3491
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Frank Morin
Pastor at the time of St. Augustine Church's 100th-anniversary celebration in November 2016.