About St. Bartholomew · Norwich, New York
St. Bartholomew the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in Norwich, Chenango County, New York, part of the Diocese of Syracuse. It was founded in 1919 by Italian immigrants from the Aeolian island of Lipari and remains rooted in that heritage — its full name is often given as St. Bartholomew Apostle Italian Catholic Church. The parish is pastored by Rev. Daniel M. Caughey, with a parochial vicar and deacon assisting, and worship is celebrated in its historic 'Magnificent Little Cathedral' on East Main Street.
- Established
- 1919
- Patron
- St. Bartholomew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel M. Caughey
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Bartholomew is a small but active parish with deep immigrant roots and a strong sense of family. Worship is celebrated in a beloved historic church with beautiful stained glass and a pipe organ; faith formation is offered for K–10; the OCIA (RCIA) process welcomes those becoming Catholic; and the parish hosts the Norwich Community Kitchen every Tuesday at the parish center, feeding neighbors regardless of religion. Members are also part of the wider Norwich Catholic community that shares programs with neighboring St. Paul's Church.
Mass times at St. Bartholomew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM (October – March)
Parish History & Italian-American Heritage
St. Bartholomew was founded in 1919 by Italian immigrants — most from the Aeolian island of Lipari — who built a strong ethnic parish in Norwich in the face of real hardship. The parish began in a converted house blessed by Father Tiernan on August 24, 1919 (the saint's feast day) and was formally dedicated as a church on November 27, 1927, soon earning the nickname 'The Magnificent Little Cathedral.' The story is documented in a 1919–1939 parish history and in three 1980 radio talks by Monsignor Guy A. Festa, recorded with Chenango County Historian Mae Smith.
- Founded August 24, 1919 — feast of St. Bartholomew
- Founded by Italian settlers from Lipari, Aeolian Islands
- First chapel: converted frame house at Birdsall & Clinton Streets
- Church dedicated November 27, 1927 by Monsignor Curley
- Source: 'St. Bartholomew Church, Its History and Progress 1919–1939'
- Annual Feast Day celebration held around August 22–24
Clergy, Staff & Parish Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Daniel M. Caughey, assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Tony Mathew and retired Deacon Tim McNerney (Deacon Dave Kirsch also assists with OCIA). Lay leadership includes Trustees Anthony Testani and Rick Jackson, Parish Council President Anne Marie Marks, Business Administrator Judy Off, Organist Joanie Gelatt, and Facilities Manager Joe Famalaro. Faith Formation is coordinated by Sr. Bart.
- Pastor: Rev. Daniel M. Caughey
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Tony Mathew
- Deacon (Ret.): Dc. Tim McNerney
- Trustees: Anthony Testani and Rick Jackson
- Parish Council President: Anne Marie Marks
- Business Administrator: Judy Off
- Organist: Joanie Gelatt
- Facilities Manager: Joe Famalaro
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
St. Bartholomew offers a Saturday Vigil Mass and one Sunday Mass, with weekday Masses on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons from October through March. Holy Days include a Vigil Mass the evening before. Additional services (such as Anointing / healing) are noted on the bulletin 'when requested.'
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00 PM (Oct–Mar)
- Sunday Mass — 8:30 AM
- Tuesday & Thursday — 9:00 AM
- Holy Day Vigil Mass — 5:30 PM
- Confessions — Saturday 3:15–3:45 PM (Oct–Mar)
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith Formation is offered for students in grades K through 10, meeting at the St. Bartholomew Parish Center. Families of new students, and anyone interested in teaching or assisting, are asked to call Sr. Bart. The parish also partners with neighboring St. Paul's Church for sacramental preparation, including shared confirmation classes.
- Faith Formation K–10 — Sundays at the parish center
- Contact: Sr. Bart — 607-244-2692
- Confirmation classes shared with St. Paul's
OCIA / RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) is for adults exploring the Catholic faith, whether unbaptized or already baptized Christians. Sessions meet Thursday evenings and are led by Father Dan, Father Tony, and Deacons Tim McNerney and Dave Kirsch. Successful participants become full members of the Church at Easter.
- Weekly hour-long sessions on Thursdays
- Time: 6:00–7:00 PM (updated)
- Location: St. Paul's Catholic Church, 30 Pleasant St., Norwich
- Open to inquirers, catechumens, and baptized Christians
Norwich Community Kitchen
The Norwich Community Kitchen operates out of the St. Bartholomew Parish Center at 81 East Main Street, serving a hot dinner every Tuesday to anyone in the community regardless of religion. Doors open at 4:00 PM and dinner is served at 5:15 PM. The parish also partners annually with the Hannaford Fight Hunger Bag Program (e.g., at the Oneonta location) to raise funds. The kitchen runs on volunteer support and donations from individuals, organizations, and local businesses.
- Tuesdays — doors open 4:00 PM, serving 5:15 PM
- Located at the Parish Center, 81 East Main St.
- Open to all; volunteers welcomed
- Funded by private, corporate, and community donations
Music & Liturgy
Sacred music at St. Bartholomew centers on a historic pipe organ played by parish organist Joanie Gelatt. The organ is currently undergoing phased restoration: the first phase addresses the wind chests (on which the pipes sit and which allow them to sound) and the leather puffers. Restoration is being carried out by a Syracuse-area organ builder, with estimates exceeding $100,000; the Parish Council has established a dedicated Organ Repair Fund. Liturgical ministers (Sacristans, Adult Altar Servers, Lectors, Commentators, Greeters, Ushers, Homebound Ministers) must complete Diocesan Safe Environment Initial Training and recertification.
- Organist: Joanie Gelatt
- Organ Repair Fund established by Parish Council
- Diocesan Safe Environment Training required for liturgical ministers
Capital Campaign 'Love at Work'
In 2015 the parish launched its 'Love at Work' capital campaign to preserve its aging buildings for another generation. Priorities include new roofs (church, parish center, former convent) with capstone, flashing, roof tiles, and gutters; repointing exterior masonry and the bell tower; stained-glass restoration; basement improvements including new stairway, elevator access, and bathroom upgrades; new sound system; upgraded interior lighting; and relocation of confessionals. Funded through multi-year pledges from parishioners and supporters.
- New roofs — church, parish center, former convent
- Exterior repointing and bell-tower work
- Stained-glass window restoration
- Basement stairway, elevator access, bathroom upgrades
- New sound system and interior lighting
Parish Outreach & Community Support
Beyond the Community Kitchen, the parish participates in diocesan programs such as the HOPE Appeal (for St. Bartholomew and the Diocese of Syracuse), and connects members to the Branch Out and Grow online support group for those affected by separation and divorce (Diocesan Family/Respect Life Office). The parish also publishes the Rev. Msgr. Guy A. Festa Memorial Scholarship for high-school seniors who are registered, active members of St. Bartholomew.
- HOPE Appeal for the Diocese of Syracuse
- Branch Out and Grow — 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 7–8 PM (Zoom)
- Rev. Msgr. Guy A. Festa Memorial Scholarship for high-school seniors
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Tiernan1919
Founded the mission-school-chapel on Aug 24, 1919 (feast of St. Bartholomew); later established St. Paul's Parochial School in 1920.