About St. Bernard · North Kingstown, Rhode Island
St. Bernard Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Wickford section of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, belonging to the Diocese of Providence. Founded in 1874 to serve French-Canadian and Irish Catholic families who had come to work in the area's mills and factories, the parish has worshipped in three successive church buildings and today ministers to roughly the southern half of the town. The current church at 275 Tower Hill Road was dedicated by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin in August 2009, and a new parish center opened in 2016. The parish describes itself as a stewardship community focused on the Gospel, the sacraments, and bringing parishioners' time, talent, and treasure to the service of their neighbors.
- Established
- 1874
- Patron
- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
- Rector
- Rev. David Gaffney
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Bernard's welcomes new parishioners into a stewardship parish that actively invites people to share their time, talent, and treasure in service of the Gospel. Daily and weekend Masses are complemented by Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday morning, Saturday confession, and a sacramental preparation program for children in grades 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Parishioners of all ages can join liturgical ministries (choir, lectors, altar servers, Ministers of Communion who also bring the Eucharist to South County Nursing Home and the homebound), youth ministry, the Knights of Columbus, and the parish's signature annual parish lawn parties, fairs and harvest suppers that have financed most of the buildings and ministries over the years.
Mass times at St. Bernard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Sacrament of Reconciliation)
Adoration times
- Every Tuesday following the 8:00 AM Mass until 11:00 AM
History of St. Bernard Parish
St. Bernard was established in 1874 by Rev. William Halligan, then pastor of Holy Name of Jesus in East Greenwich, to serve French-Canadian and Irish Catholic families who had come to work in local mills. The first church was dedicated on July 4, 1875 by Bishop Thomas F. Hendricken, and in 1904 the parish received its first resident pastor, Rev. John H. McKenna. Through the twentieth century, the parish grew, opened a school in 1950, and in 1969 helped form the new St. Francis de Sales Parish for the northern half of North Kingstown. The 2003 Station nightclub fire in neighboring West Warwick and the bequest of parishioner Virginia Davis together led, in 2009, to the dedication of the present-day church at Tower Hill and Ten Rod Road, with a new parish center following in 2016.
- Founded 1874; first church dedicated July 4, 1875
- First resident pastor: Rev. John H. McKenna (1904)
- Parish hall built in the 1930s under Fr. John L. Cooney
- Parochial school opened 1950 (Fr. Cornelius Collins); closed 1970 (Fr. Joseph M. Degnan)
- Town divided in 1969; St. Francis de Sales formed
- New church dedicated August 15, 2009 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin
- New parish center opened February 1, 2016
- 150th anniversary closing Mass: December 15, 2024
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation office at St. Bernard's offers a complete K–9 catechetical program, including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Classes for Grades K, 1, 3, 4, and 5 use the Gospel Weeklies curriculum, while Grades 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9 follow a Sacramental Preparation track that includes nine in-person class lessons, a retreat, and catechist-led extended sessions on Sunday mornings from 9:30–10:45 AM. A 'Buddy' program pairs Grade 2 and Grade 9 students so they can share the faith together.
- Grades K, 1, 3, 4, 5 – Gospel Weeklies
- Grades 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 – Sacramental Preparation
- Sunday morning classes 9:30–10:45 AM (after 8:30 AM Mass)
- First Reconciliation preparation
- First Communion (Grade 2)
- Confirmation (Grades 8–9)
- Contacts: Dawn Masterson (Elementary) and Christina Pichette (Youth/Teen Faith Formation)
Youth Ministry
Teen Faith Formation and Youth Ministry at St. Bernard is coordinated by Christina Pichette and supports parish adolescents through the sacramental preparation years and beyond, integrating retreats, service opportunities, and the parish's liturgical ministries (Teen Choir, altar serving, lector and Communion ministries).
- Teen Faith Formation (Grades 6–9)
- Confirmation preparation
- Teen Choir sings once a month and on special occasions
- Teen altar servers and lectors
Liturgical Ministries
The parish liturgy is supported by a large team of lay volunteers who serve in music, the Word, and the Eucharist. Schedules are issued quarterly and training is provided for every ministry.
- Music Director: Alison Shea
- Adult Choir (sings weekly at 10:30 AM Mass)
- Children's Choir and Teen Choir (once a month and on special occasions)
- Lectors (proclaim the Word of God)
- Altar Servers (open to children in 4th grade and up; fulfills 10 service hours for confirmation)
- Ministers of Communion, including visits to South County Nursing Home and the homebound
Parish Organizations
Beyond the liturgical and formation ministries, the parish hosts a number of fraternal and community organizations, including the local Knights of Columbus council. Parishioners are encouraged to use their gifts of time, talent, and treasure in service to the parish and broader community.
- Knights of Columbus (parish council)
- Parish Stewardship committees (Time, Talent, Treasure)
- Annual fundraisers: lawn parties, fairs, harvest suppers, bake sales
Outreach & Charity
Although the parish website's main menu lists limited outreach-specific pages, the parish history page notes that a planned 'victory garden' will donate produce to Emmanuel House in Providence, which serves the homeless. In keeping with its stewardship mission, St. Bernard also directs parishioners toward a variety of ministries that provide spiritual, emotional, and physical support to those in need in North Kingstown and beyond.
- Planned victory garden supporting Emmanuel House (Providence)
- Memorial garden planned behind the church
- Communion to the Sick / Homebound ministry
Sacraments
St. Bernard celebrates the full range of parish sacraments. Reconciliation is offered weekly; First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are prepared through the Faith Formation office; marriage preparation requires calling at least 10 months in advance; and the parish brings Communion to the sick and homebound upon request.
- Reconciliation – Saturdays 4:00–4:30 PM
- First Reconciliation / First Communion (Grade 2)
- Confirmation (Grades 8–9)
- Marriage – call 10 months in advance
- Communion to the Sick and Homebound – contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick and funeral rites – contact parish office
Facilities & Parish Center
The present church and parish center at 275 Tower Hill Road were built on land bequeathed by parishioner Virginia Davis. The church was dedicated on August 15, 2009 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, and the adjoining parish center—formerly the Davis farmhouse area that had been renovated by Fr. John Unsworth—opened on February 1, 2016, providing a large space to host parish and community events.
- Current church dedicated August 15, 2009
- New parish center opened February 1, 2016, dedicated by Bishop Tobin two months later
- Rectory is the renovated former Davis farmhouse
- Office hours: Mon–Tue 9 AM–4 PM, Wed 9 AM–12 PM; closed Thu–Fri (summer: Mon–Tue 9 AM–3 PM, Wed 9 AM–12 PM)
Getting Involved
St. Bernard's is a stewardship parish that asks every parishioner to share their gifts. New parishioners are invited to complete a registration form (drop in the collection basket, mail, or deliver to the parish office). From there, parishioners can sign up for liturgical ministries, join the choirs, enroll their children in Faith Formation, support the Knights of Columbus, or volunteer for fundraising events that have financed most of the parish's buildings and programs since 1874.
- Complete a parish registration form (available on the website)
- Join a liturgical ministry (lector, altar server, choir, Minister of Communion)
- Enroll children in Faith Formation (K–9)
- Support the Knights of Columbus
- Volunteer for annual fairs, lawn parties, and harvest suppers
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Halligan1874
Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus, East Greenwich; founded St. Bernard as a mission and purchased the original half-acre.
- Rev. John H. McKenna1904
First resident pastor; built rectory, installed electric lights, set carriage sheds.
- Rev. Joseph P. Gibbons1915
Added sacristy, baptismal area, front porch/vestibule; first pastor with an automobile.
- Rev. James P. Tiernan
Installed oil-burners in the church.
- Rev. John L. Cooney1930s
Built the church hall.
- Rev. Cornelius Collins1950
Opened the parochial school staffed in part by the Sisters of the Cross and Passion.
- Rev. Joseph M. Degnan1970
Closed the parochial school; oversaw the 1969 division of the town with St. Francis de Sales.
- Rev. Charles E. Fountain1971
Reopened the parish hall, founded the St. Bernard Braves Drum and Bugle Corps, and expanded the church.
- Rev. Robert F. Caul1985–1987
Served as temporary administrator during Fr. Fountain's illness.
- Rev. Frederick J. Halloran1987
Renovated the church hall (now 'Father Halloran Hall') and established the parish scholarship fund.
- Rev. Gerard O. Sabourin1993
Organized lay ministers of the Eucharist to visit the sick; converted the old school into a Parish Center.
- Rev. Dennis A. Reardon1999
Led the decision to build the new church on the donated Davis land; dedicated by Bishop Tobin in 2009.
- Rev. John Unsworth2010
Renovated the rectory and led the capital campaign for the new parish center (opened 2016).
- Rev. David Gaffneycurrent
Current pastor; presided over the parish's 150th anniversary closing Mass in December 2024.