About St. Isidore · Montgomery Center, Vermont
St. Isidore is a Catholic mission church in the small village of Montgomery Center, in Vermont's northernmost Franklin County, situated within the Missisquoi River valley near Jay Peak. The parish is one of three worship sites of All Saints Parish (along with the mother church, All Saints in Richford, and Our Lady of Lourdes in East Berkshire), and is served from All Saints by the pastor and parochial vicar of the cluster. The present church, dedicated to St. Isidore the Laborer and located on Mountain Road (Route 242), hosts Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday confessions from 10:00–10:20 a.m. St. Isidore's has a warm, welcoming congregation that frequently includes visitors from the nearby Jay Peak Resort.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- St. Isidore the Laborer
- Rector
- Fr. Daniel Jordan, J.C.L.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Vermont
Why belong here
St. Isidore's in Montgomery Center offers a small, intimate Catholic home in Vermont's beautiful northern countryside, with Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. and confessions immediately beforehand. As a mission of All Saints Parish, it draws on a wider network of pastoral staff (pastor and parochial vicar) plus parish-wide faith formation and First Saturday Devotions, while keeping the close-knit feel of a country congregation. Visitors from the surrounding farms, villages and the nearby Jay Peak Resort are regularly welcomed alongside longtime parishioners.
Mass times at St. Isidore
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:20 AM (St. Isidore, Montgomery Center)
About St. Isidore Parish
St. Isidore is a Catholic mission church located at 169 Mountain Road (Route 242) in Montgomery Center, Vermont. It is one of three worship sites of All Saints Parish — alongside All Saints Catholic Church in Richford (the mother church) and Our Lady of Lourdes in East Berkshire. The parish is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington and is served by the pastor and parochial vicar assigned to All Saints Parish, currently Fr. Daniel Jordan, J.C.L. and Fr. Luis Barrera-Hernandez. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10:30 a.m., with confessions heard immediately before Mass from 10:00 to 10:20 a.m.
History
St. Isidore was founded as a Catholic mission in 1881 to serve the farming families of the Montgomery Center area in Vermont's northern Missisquoi valley. The current church was dedicated in 1893 and has served the parish continuously since. Over more than a century the parish has been linked to several generations of local families, including those of French-Canadian heritage who settled the region in the 19th century. Today, as part of All Saints Parish, the mission continues its Sunday worship tradition in Montgomery Center.
- Founded: 1881
- Current church dedicated: 1893
- Mission of All Saints Parish (Richford, VT)
A Statue from Spain
A distinctive feature of the St. Isidore church grounds is a large statue of St. Isidore the Laborer. According to Vermont Catholic magazine (Spring 2020), Father Karl Hahr, one of the parish's former pastors, built the stone base on which the statue rests. Parishioners purchased the statue directly from Spain — the country of St. Isidore's birth — making it both a devotional centerpiece and a tangible link to the saint's homeland.
- Statue of St. Isidore placed on a base built by Father Karl Hahr
- Statue purchased by parishioners from Spain
Patron Saint: St. Isidore the Laborer
St. Isidore was born in Spain around 1070 and lived his life as a simple farmer in service to a wealthy landowner near Madrid. He was known for rising early to attend Mass, praying constantly as he worked the fields, and caring for the poor and animals. His fellow workers sometimes complained he arrived late because of his long hours in church, but legend says that when his master came to rebuke him, he found angels plowing in his place. He died on May 15, 1130, and was canonized in 1622 alongside Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Ávila and Philip Neri. He is the patron saint of farmers, rural communities and laborers — a particularly fitting patron for a small Vermont farming parish.
- Born c. 1070 in Spain
- Died May 15, 1130
- Canonized 1622
- Patron of farmers, rural communities, laborers
- Feast day: May 15
All Saints Parish — Cluster Schedule
St. Isidore is part of All Saints Parish, which celebrates additional Masses at All Saints Catholic Church in Richford (152 Main Street). The full cluster schedule, as published by All Saints Parish, includes Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday morning Mass at All Saints, plus weekday Masses Monday through Saturday. Confessions are also heard at All Saints on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM — All Saints
- Sunday: 8:15 AM — All Saints
- Sunday: 10:30 AM — St. Isidore
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM — All Saints
- Tuesday, Thursday: 6:00 PM — All Saints
- Saturday Confessions: 4:15 – 4:45 PM — All Saints
- Sunday Confessions: 7:30 – 8:00 AM — All Saints
Sacramental Life & Devotions
Beyond Sunday Mass and confession, the parish family takes part in First Saturday Devotions in Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, held at All Saints Catholic Church in Richford. Sacramental preparation for baptism, marriage, and other sacraments is coordinated through All Saints Parish, with the pastor and parochial vicar available for instruction, marriage preparation and pastoral care. The Diocese of Burlington's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and Adult Confirmation programs are available to those wishing to become Catholic or to complete their initiation, by speaking with the local pastor.
- Sacrament of Reconciliation (before Sunday Mass)
- First Saturday Devotions — In Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- RCIA / Becoming Catholic (Diocesan program via the parish)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for children and adults is provided through All Saints Parish and the Diocese of Burlington. Each parish is assigned a Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL) who coordinates religious education classes, sacramental preparation and family catechesis. Diocesan programs — including the Totus Tuus summer catechetical camp, the Lay Formation Program, and online resources such as Formed — support the parish's catechetical mission. Parishioners are encouraged to contact the All Saints Parish office for current program information.
- Parish Religious Education (coordinated through All Saints Parish)
- Totus Tuus — Catechetical Summer Camp
- Diocesan Lay Formation Program
- RCIA for adults seeking initiation
Visiting from Jay Peak
Because of its proximity to Jay Peak Resort, St. Isidore's congregation frequently includes visitors — skiers, snowboarders and resort guests — alongside longtime parishioners. The 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass and 10:00–10:20 a.m. confession window are well-suited to a worship stop before or after a day on the mountain. The church is located on Mountain Road (Route 242), about a quarter mile north of Route 118.
- Common worship site for Jay Peak visitors
- Sunday Mass: 10:30 AM
- Located on Route 242, ~1/4 mile north of Route 118
Contact & Visiting Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office through All Saints Catholic Church in Richford. The church mailing address is 152 Main Street, Richford, VT 05476, while the physical address of St. Isidore itself is 169 Mountain Road, Montgomery Center, VT 05471. The parish phone number is (802) 848-7741 and email is [email protected]. The parish website, allsaintsrichford.org, hosts the weekly bulletin, adoration and reconciliation schedules, and news from across the cluster.
- St. Isidore Physical Address: 169 Mountain Road, Montgomery Center, VT 05471
- Mailing Address: 152 Main Street, Richford, VT 05476
- Phone: (802) 848-7741
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.allsaintsrichford.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Karl Hahr
A former pastor of the parish; built the stone base on which the statue of St. Isidore was placed.