About St. Christopher · Tiverton, Rhode Island
St. Christopher Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 1554 Main Road in Tiverton, Rhode Island, part of the Diocese of Providence. Founded in 1910 and originally served by the Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans), it has shared a pastor and combined faith community with neighboring St. Theresa Parish (Stafford Road, Tiverton) for many years. Today the parishes share one pastor, a deacon, and a full staff of liturgical, music, faith formation, and administrative ministers. The parish's stated mission is to be a welcoming, Eucharistic community that supports one another, assists those in need, and shares the Catholic faith.
- Established
- 1910
- Patron
- Saint Christopher
- Rector
- Rev. Phillip J. Dufour
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Christopher offers Sunday and weekday Mass in a tight-knit, historic East Bay community, with a long list of opportunities to put faith into action: an adult choir, folk choir, and youth choir; OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those exploring the Catholic faith; Confirmation and First Communion preparation; lector, altar server, and youth ministry opportunities; a women's guild, men's group, and outreach ministry that cares for parishioners and neighbors in need. Sharing a pastor and staff with neighboring St. Theresa, the combined faith community keeps Mass times, faith formation, and pastoral care accessible in two convenient locations just minutes apart.
Mass times at St. Christopher
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm (St. Theresa Church)
- Wednesday 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm (St. Christopher Church)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Thursday of every month, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (St. Christopher)
Welcome and Parish Mission
The Catholic Faith Communities of St. Theresa and St. Christopher describe themselves as welcoming communities of faith centered on the Eucharist and the Word of God. Their published mission is to follow the example of Jesus Christ by supporting one another, assisting all in need, and being good stewards of the gifts God has given them. The parishes strive to foster participation by parishioners of all ages, encourage the sharing of time, talent, and resources, and share the Catholic faith with others.
- Welcoming communities of faith centered on the Eucharist and the Word of God
- Fosters participation by parishioners of all ages
- Encourages sharing of time, talent, and resources
- Shares the Catholic faith with others
Parish History
St. Christopher Parish traces its roots to the early 1890s, when summer Masses were first celebrated in Tiverton Town Hall and the seasonal chapel of St. Peter's By the Sea was built in 1895. The Holy Ghost Fathers took charge in 1908, and the present St. Christopher Church was dedicated on July 1, 1910. The mission was erected as a parish in 1925, becoming part of the Diocese of Providence, and was continuously served by Spiritan (Holy Ghost) priests until 2003.
- 1894: Summer Masses begin in Tiverton Town Hall, offered by Rev. M. E. Cook
- 1895: St. Peter's By the Sea built on Highland Road — Tiverton's first Catholic church
- 1908: Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans) take charge; mission of St. Anthony's, Portsmouth
- January 1910: Plot purchased at Main Road and Lawrence Avenue
- July 1, 1910: St. Christopher Church dedicated
- 1925: Erected as a parish; first resident pastor appointed; Giezok Estate acquired as rectory
- 2003: First diocesan (non-Spiritan) pastor appointed
- September 14, 2025: 100th anniversary as a diocesan parish celebrated with Bishop Lewandowski
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Youth Faith Formation at St. Theresa and St. Christopher serves students in Grades 1 through Confirmation II. Grades 1 and 2 prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion, while Grades 3 through 6 provide ongoing Catholic formation. A two-year Confirmation program (Confirmation I and II) follows. Classes for the 2025–2026 year meet on Sundays, beginning September 21, 2025.
- Grades 1–2: preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion (fee $80/student; Baptism free)
- Grades 3–6: solid Catholic formation in preparation for Confirmation study (fee $65/student)
- Confirmation I & II: two-year preparation (fee $80/student)
- Grades 1–6 meet Sundays 9:15 am – 10:45 am
- Confirmation I & II meet Sundays 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm
- Director of Religious Education: Lynne Swass ([email protected])
- Confirmation Coordinator: Edna McKenna ([email protected])
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
The OCIA program (formerly known as RCIA) is for adults who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholic and seeking Confirmation and/or First Eucharist. It is the formal entry path into full communion with the Catholic Church for the combined parishes.
- For those seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and/or First Eucharist
- Parish office: (401) 624-8746
Sacraments
Information about each sacrament is published on the parish website. Baptism is typically celebrated during Sunday Mass; Matrimony must be arranged at least six months in advance with Fr. Dufour; Reconciliation is offered weekly and by appointment; and Faith Formation prepares children for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation.
- Baptism — celebrated during 11:00 am (St. Theresa) or 9:30 am (St. Christopher) Mass; coordinator Rose Marie Paul ([email protected])
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — Grades 1–2 program
- Confirmation — two-year program (Confirmation I and II)
- Matrimony — at least 6 months' notice; Saturday weddings must begin by 2:30 pm; coordinator Rebecca McComb
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion to the homebound available on request
Music Ministry
Music is a strong part of the combined parishes' liturgical life. The Community Choir meets on Wednesday evenings for rehearsal, the Folk Choir rehearses at St. Theresa Parish Hall, and a youth choir is directed by Steve and Linda Beaupre. The parishes' organist and adult choir director is Betty Henderson.
- Community Choir — Wednesday evenings, 6:30 pm, St. Theresa church (summer: second Wednesdays only)
- Folk Choir — St. Theresa Parish Hall; contact Steve and Linda Beaupre ([email protected])
- Youth Choir — directed by Steve and Linda Beaupre
- Organist / Adult Choir Director: Betty Henderson
Parish Ministries and Outreach
The combined parishes list a wide range of ministries through which parishioners can share their time and talent, including liturgical, formation, social, and service opportunities. The Outreach Ministry in particular provides for the temporal necessities of parishioners and the wider community in need.
- Liturgical: Lectors, Altar Servers, Youth Choir
- Formation: OCIA, Faith Formation, Confirmation prep
- Service: Outreach Ministry, Women's Guild, Men's Group
- Music: Community Choir, Folk Choir, Youth Choir
Evangelization and Devotions
The parish website maintains a dedicated Evangelization page linking parishioners to daily Mass readings, the monthly prayer intentions of Pope Leo, a parish-wide 'Bible in a Year' program, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, daily Rosary, and prayers to St. Dymphna for mental health, along with news from national Catholic youth events.
- Daily Mass Readings
- Bible in a Year
- Pope Leo's Monthly Prayer Intentions
- Daily Rosary
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- St. Dymphna's Prayers for Mental Health
- Pope Leo Dialogue with Young People at 2025 NCYC
Parish Staff
The combined parishes are served by one pastor, one deacon, and a lay staff handling religious education, music, sacramental coordination, evangelization, and parish administration.
- Rev. Phillip J. Dufour — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Dr. Timothy Flanigan, M.D. — Deacon Assistant ([email protected])
- Lynne Swass — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Edna McKenna — Confirmation Coordinator ([email protected])
- Melanie St. Denis — Parish Office Clerk ([email protected])
- Rebecca McComb — Parish Secretary / Funeral & Wedding Coordinator ([email protected])
- Betsy Sowin — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Rose Marie Paul — Baptismal Coordinator ([email protected])
- Caroline Keefe — Coordinator for Evangelization ([email protected])
- Betty Henderson — Organist / Adult Choir Director
- Steve and Linda Beaupre — Musicians / Youth Choir Directors ([email protected])
- Mrs. Betty Henderson — Maintenance
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors are welcomed at the Parish Office at 265 Stafford Road, Tiverton, and at St. Christopher Church at 1554 Main Road, Tiverton. Office hours are limited; the staff encourages phone messages or emails for non-urgent matters.
- Parish Office: 265 Stafford Road, Tiverton, RI 02878
- Phone: (401) 624-8746 | Fax: (401) 625-5384
- Office hours: Monday–Wednesday, 8:30 am – 12:00 noon
- St. Christopher Church: 1554 Main Road, Tiverton, RI 02878
- St. Theresa Church: 265 Stafford Road, Tiverton, RI 02878
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Christopher Rooney, C.S.Sp.1908–1918
First Holy Ghost Father assigned; oversaw construction of the new St. Christopher Church (dedicated July 1, 1910)
- Rev. Joseph Boehr, C.S.Sp.to 1918
Residing in Portsmouth; given charge of St. Christopher Mission
- Rev. Cornelius O'Rorke, C.S.Sp.1918–1932
First resident pastor when parish was erected in 1925; acquired the Giezok Estate rectory
- Rev. John O'Reilly, C.S.Sp.1932–1951
Served first as administrator during Fr. O'Rorke's illness, then pastor
- Rev. Francis Cooney, C.S.Sp.1951–1964
- Rev. John J. McHugh, C.S.Sp.from January 1959
Associate pastor under Fr. Cooney
- Rev. Francis Mullen, C.S.Sp.1964–1968
- Rev. Vincent I. Cronin, C.S.Sp.1968–1970
- Rev. James Mangan, C.S.Sp.1971–1975
- Rev. Joseph Rengers, C.S.Sp.1975–1977
- Rev. Vincent I. Cronin, C.S.Sp.1977–1979
Returned for a second stint as pastor
- Rev. Joseph Brennan, C.S.Sp.1979–1981
- Rev. Stanley J. Trahan, C.S.Sp.1981–1989
- Rev. Louis F. Dolan, C.S.Sp.1990–1996
- Rev. Frank P. Kanda, C.S.Sp.1997–2003
Final Holy Ghost (Spirit) Father to serve as pastor
- Rev. Peter J. Andrewsfrom September 2003
First diocesan pastor
- Rev. Phillip J. Dufourcurrent
Current pastor; serves both St. Christopher and St. Theresa parishes