About St Eugene · Chepachet, Rhode Island
St. Eugene Parish is a Roman Catholic community of faith in the village of Chepachet, in the town of Glocester, Rhode Island, serving the northwest corner of the state. Established on September 11, 1956 by Bishop Russell J. McVinney, the parish grew out of a mission of St. Patrick Church in Harrisville and today worships in a modern Georgian-Colonial red-brick church that seats about 450. The parish is part of the Diocese of Providence, currently pastored by Reverend Stephen J. Dandeneau (since 2018), and offers weekend and daily Mass, Wednesday confession and adoration, marriage preparation, religious education K–10, and a range of lay ministries including the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul, and a Respect Life group.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Saint Eugene (Pope Eugene I)
- Rector
- Reverend Stephen J. Dandeneau
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Eugene is a tight-knit Roman Catholic parish rooted in the rural northwest corner of Rhode Island, where the community worships together in a 450-seat Georgian-Colonial church and gathers weekday mornings for Mass. Parishioners of every walk of life are welcomed, and there are concrete ways to plug in: a K–10 religious education program, Vacation Bible School, the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul, a Respect Life group, Extraordinary Ministers and Lectors, Altar Servers, Ushers, and the parish Choir. The parish is committed to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, making it a good fit for Catholics who want both solid liturgical life and active outreach to neighbors in Chepachet and the lakes region of Glocester.
Mass times at St Eugene
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
History of Saint Eugene Parish
Saint Eugene Parish was established on September 11, 1956 by Most Reverend Bishop Russell J. McVinney. It grew out of a mission of St. Patrick Church in Harrisville, where Mass had first been celebrated in a Route 102 hall (since demolished) and then in the basement of the Glocester Town Hall. The founding pastor was Father Joseph F. McCabe (1956–1964), and the parish has been served by eight pastors in all, with Reverend Stephen J. Dandeneau the present pastor since 2018.
- Established September 11, 1956 by Bishop Russell J. McVinney
- Originated as a mission of St. Patrick Church, Harrisville
- Original worship sites: a Route 102 hall and Glocester Town Hall basement
- Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement once helped with religious education
The Church Building & Rectory
The St. Eugene Church building is a modern 'Georgian-Colonial' design built of red brick and wood, designed to seat about 450 people at a time. It was planned to serve both the year-round community and the summer residents drawn to Glocester's lakes and ponds. The rectory next door is a storied 1840s Brown-family home that once belonged to U.S. Senator Walter Reed of Rhode Island, and later served as a boarding house and convalescent home before the Diocese of Providence purchased it for parish use.
- Georgian-Colonial design, red brick and wood
- Capacity approximately 450
- Rectory built in the 1840s by a member of the Brown family
- Rectory was the home of U.S. Senator Walter Reed
Parish Leadership and Staff
The parish is led by Father Stephen J. Dandeneau, pastor since 2018, with a network of lay leaders coordinating the various ministries. The contact page lists coordinators for Religious Education (Cheryl Previte), St. Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Respect Life, Choir, Baptism Prep, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Ushers, and the Parish Council.
- Pastor: Reverend Stephen J. Dandeneau
- Religious Education K–5: Cheryl Previte
- Knights of Columbus: Michael Fournier; contact Dennis Robidoux
- Respect Life & Baptism Prep: Jim & Judy Farrell
- Choir: Connie Robert
- Parish Council: Tim Martins
- Altar Servers: Mary Dougherty; Ushers: Pat Wyatt / Jason Machan
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Eugene runs a graded religious education program for parish children and youth in two tracks: Grades K–5 and Grades 6–10. The parish also takes part in the Diocese of Providence's Vacation Bible School program.
- Grades K–5 Religious Education
- Grades 6–10 Religious Education
- Vacation Bible School (registered through the Diocese of Providence)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the standard Catholic sacraments. Couples planning a wedding at St. Eugene must schedule at least 6–12 months in advance, complete four meetings with Fr. Dandeneau, and take a Diocese of Providence Pre-Cana class; the final meeting with the pastor must occur six weeks before the rehearsal. The Anointing of the Sick is available to anyone with a serious medical condition by calling the rectory day or night.
- Baptism (preparation required)
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (Sunday and weekday Mass)
- Confession: Wednesday 6:30–7:30 PM and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick: call (401) 568-5102 any time
- Marriage: 6–12 months advance scheduling, four meetings with Fr. Dandeneau, Pre-Cana class
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. Eugene has a robust set of lay ministries, including liturgical service roles (Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Ushers, Choir) and parish organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul, and a Respect Life group. The parish council oversees parish life.
- Parish Council
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion & Lectors
- Altar Servers and Ushers
- Parish Choir
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Knights of Columbus
- Legion of Mary
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Respect Life
Mass Intentions and Sanctuary Candle
Parishioners may schedule Mass intentions by contacting the parish office. Stipends are $25 for a Sunday Mass intention and $15 for a weekday Mass intention. A Sanctuary Candle may be requested for a one-week intention for $25.
- Sunday Mass intention: $25
- Weekday Mass intention: $15
- Sanctuary Candle (1 week): $25
Becoming a Parishioner & Contact
New parishioners can register by downloading the Parish Registration Form from the website and returning it by mail, to the parish office, or in the collection basket at any weekend Mass. The parish asks members who are moving out of the area to call so records can be updated, and welcomes questions directed to the pastor.
- Parish registration form available on the website
- Office hours: Mon/Tue/Fri 8:30 AM–3:00 PM; Wed by appointment; closed Thu
- Phone: (401) 568-5102; Fax: (401) 567-7847
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1251 Putnam Pike, PO Box A, Chepachet, RI 02814
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph F. McCabe1956–1964
Founding pastor; previously Assistant Pastor of Sacred Heart, Pawtucket, and Director of Catholic Cemeteries for the Diocese of Providence.
- Reverend Ronald G. Dailey1964–1967
- Reverend William F.X. Harrington1967–1971
- Reverend Francis V. De Lellis1971–1994
Longest-tenured pastor after the founder.
- Reverend Russell Page1994–1996
- Reverend Charles Quinn1997–2007
- Reverend T.J. Varghese2007–2018
- Reverend Stephen J. Dandeneau2018–present
Current pastor.