About St. Columba · Columbia, Connecticut
St. Columba Catholic Church is a parish located at 328 Junction Routes 66 & 87 in Columbia, Connecticut, serving the Roman Catholic faithful of Columbia, Andover, and Hebron. Since December 2011, the parish has been yoked with the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron under the pastoral leadership of Father Michael S. Smith, with each parish remaining legally and pastorally distinct while sharing staff and resources. The two communities together form the Catholic Community of the Good Shepherd and live out a shared mission to bear witness to God's love, compassion, and mercy through prayer and service. Today St. Columba offers Sunday Masses in Columbia and a full program of religious education, sacraments, and parish ministries shared across both worship sites.
- Established
- 1944
- Patron
- St. Columba (Columcille)
- Rector
- Reverend Michael S. Smith
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich
Why belong here
St. Columba Catholic Church offers a welcoming small-town Catholic community in rural Columbia, Connecticut, with multiple Sunday Mass options, daily weekday Masses, and the full sacramental life of the Church. As part of a yoked parish with the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron, parishioners benefit from a wide range of ministries — including Catholic Religious Education for kindergarten through Confirmation, RCIA, youth ministry, music ministry, eucharistic ministers, lectors, greeters, altar servers, Knights of Columbus, social outreach, bereavement support, a Caring Clown ministry, men's and women's retreats, and a Haiti mission partnership. Whether you have been away from the Church for a while or are new to the area, the parish explicitly welcomes you to 'come as you are and to give church and God another try.'
Mass times at St. Columba
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM at Church of the Holy Family, Hebron, or by appointment
About St. Columba Catholic Church
St. Columba Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Norwich located at 328 Junction Routes 66 & 87 in Columbia, Connecticut, that has served the Roman Catholic faithful of Columbia, Andover, and Hebron since 1944. Today the parish shares pastoral leadership, staff, and ministries with the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron in a 'yoked' arrangement that preserves each parish's identity while pooling resources. Parishioners gather for Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM at St. Columba (the 11:00 AM Mass is suspended June through August) and for Wednesday and Friday morning Mass at 9:00 AM.
- Founded April 9, 1944 as the Chapel of St. Columba in the former Blakely homestead
- Current church dedicated May 8, 1955 at 328 Junction Routes 66 & 87
- Yoked with Church of the Holy Family, Hebron, since December 2011
- Pastor: Rev. Michael S. Smith
Parish History
The Catholic faithful of Columbia, Andover, and Hebron first received their own house of worship on April 9, 1944, when the former Blakely homestead at the junction of Jonathan Trumbull Highway and Route 6-A in Columbia Center was dedicated as Saint Columba's Chapel in July of that year. As the local Catholic population grew, the modest chapel could no longer accommodate the community and was eventually demolished. A new church was built on the present site at 328 Junction Routes 66 & 87, and Saint Columba Catholic Church opened its doors on May 8, 1955, where it continues to welcome all who enter. In December 2011, Bishop Michael R. Cote of the Diocese of Norwich formally yoked St. Columba with the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron under the pastoral leadership of Father Michael Smith.
- 1944 – Chapel of St. Columba dedicated in the Blakely homestead
- 1955 – New St. Columba Catholic Church opened at current site
- 2011 – Yoked with Church of the Holy Family, Hebron
Mass and Sacrament Schedule
St. Columba celebrates Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM (the 11:00 AM Mass is suspended June–August) and weekday Mass on Wednesday and Friday at 9:00 AM. Saturday Vigil Mass and additional Sunday Mass are offered at the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron, the partner parish in the yoked community. Reconciliation is heard on Saturday from 4:00–4:30 PM at the Church of the Holy Family, or by appointment.
- Sunday 8:00 AM – St. Columba
- Sunday 11:00 AM – St. Columba (no 11:00 AM Mass June–August)
- Saturday 5:00 PM Vigil – Church of the Holy Family, Hebron
- Sunday 9:30 AM – Church of the Holy Family, Hebron
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – St. Columba
- Friday 9:00 AM – St. Columba
- Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM at Holy Family or by appointment
Religious Education and Faith Formation
The combined Religious Education program of Church of the Holy Family and St. Columba Catholic Church serves over 550 children from kindergarten through Confirmation, with classes held at both parish sites. The program is led by Director of Religious Education Ashley Dombrowski and is structured as a partnership among parents, teachers, and the Religious Education Committee. Adult faith formation, sacramental preparation, and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) round out the parish's formation offerings.
- Catholic Religious Education (CRE) for K–Confirmation
- Confirmation preparation in 8th and 9th grades
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation
- Adult Education opportunities
- RCIA for new members
- Religious Education Committee meets second Wednesday at 9:45 AM
Parish Ministries and Organizations
The yoked community offers a wide range of ministries spanning liturgy, outreach, formation, and fellowship. From greeters and lectors to eucharistic ministers and altar servers, the liturgical life of the parish depends on dozens of volunteers. Outreach ministries include Communion for the Homebound, Bereavement, Compassion, Social Outreach, and a long-standing Haiti mission partnership. Family and adult enrichment is provided through Men's and Women's Retreats, Marriage Preparation, Youth Ministry, and the Caring Clowns and Music ministry. The parish also hosts the Knights of Columbus and an Inclusion Ministry.
- Liturgical: Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Greeters, Music Ministry, Arts and Environment
- Outreach: Communion for the Homebound, Bereavement, Compassion, Social Outreach, Haiti Mission
- Formation: Religious Education, RCIA, Youth Ministry, Adult Education
- Community: Knights of Columbus, Hospitality, Welcome Committee, Caring Clowns and Music
- Spiritual Life: Adoration, Marriage Preparation, Men's Retreat, Women's Retreat, Inclusion Ministry
Sacraments
St. Columba Catholic Church celebrates the full sacramental life of the Roman Catholic Church. Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation is provided through the parish's Catholic Religious Education program, and adults seeking initiation may enter the RCIA. The parish welcomes couples preparing for Marriage and offers Anointing and Communion for the Homebound for parishioners who cannot attend Mass.
- Baptism (contact the parish office)
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
- Confirmation (Grades 8 & 9)
- Marriage Preparation
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion for the Homebound
- Reconciliation (Confession) – Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM or by appointment
Parish Staff and Clergy
The pastoral team serving St. Columba and the Church of the Holy Family is led by Pastor Rev. Michael S. Smith, with Ashley Dombrowski as Director of Religious Education and Nancy Morin as parish secretary. The staff also includes a business manager, administrative assistant, Director of Music Nicole Bernier, and parish sexton Lois Roy, who also coordinates altar servers.
- Rev. Michael S. Smith – Pastor
- Ashley Dombrowski – Director of Religious Education
- Nancy Morin – Parish Secretary
- Nicole Bernier – Director of Music / Caring Clowns and Music
- Lois Roy – Parish Sexton / Altar Servers
Visiting and Parish Membership
St. Columba explicitly welcomes new and returning Catholics of every background. To become a registered parishioner, pick up a registration form at the Parish Office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, except holidays). The parish also makes its Church Hall available for rental; contact Nancy Morin at the Parish Office for availability and fee information.
- Parish office: (860) 228-3727
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Fax: (860) 228-8777
- Mailing Address: St. Columba Catholic Church, P.O. Box 146, Columbia, CT 06237
- Church Hall rental inquiries: Nancy Morin
Contact and Location
St. Columba Catholic Church is located at 328 Junction Routes 66 & 87 in Columbia, Connecticut. The parish shares its office and phone line with the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron, and all mail may be sent to P.O. Box 146, Columbia, CT 06237.
- Street: 328 Jct. Rtes. 66 & 87, Columbia, CT 06237
- Mailing: P.O. Box 146, Columbia, CT 06237
- Phone: (860) 228-3727
- Fax: (860) 228-8777
- Religious Education: 860-228-0096 x3
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael S. Smith2011–present
Appointed by Bishop Michael R. Cote in December 2011 to lead the newly yoked parishes of Holy Family (Hebron) and St. Columba (Columbia).