About St. James Church - Our Lady of Hope Parish · South Grafton, Massachusetts
Our Lady of Hope Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Grafton, Massachusetts, belonging to the Diocese of Worcester. It was formed in July 2022 by merging the three historic Grafton Catholic churches — Saint Philip (Grafton Center), Saint James (South Grafton), and Saint Mary (North Grafton) — into a single parish serving the Catholic community of Grafton and beyond. Worship is held at Saint James Church (89 Main Street, South Grafton) and Saint Mary Church (North Grafton), with Saint Philip Church having been closed in November 2024. The parish is led by pastor Father Anthony Mpagi and associate pastor Father Derek A. Mobilio, offering weekend and daily Mass, confession, Eucharistic adoration, faith formation, and the Totus Tuus summer program.
- Established
- 1883 (St. James as a mission of St. Philip's; the parish celebrated its centennial in 1987). Parish of Our Lady of Hope erected July 1, 2022.
- Patron
- Saint James the Apostle (parish patron of St. James Church, South Grafton)
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony Mpagi
- Diocese
- Diocese of Worcester (Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Hope Parish gathers the three historic Grafton Catholic churches — St. James in South Grafton, St. Mary in North Grafton, and former St. Philip in Grafton Center — into one welcoming Catholic family serving the whole town. With daily and weekend Mass offered at two worship sites, a regular weekly confession schedule (Monday, Thursday, and Saturday), weekday Eucharistic adoration, a faith formation program, and the Totus Tuus summer program for grades 1-12, the parish offers all the rhythms of traditional Catholic life in a small-town New England setting. Stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure is at the heart of parish life, and new parishioners are warmly invited to register and join the Catholic community of Grafton.
Mass times at St. James Church - Our Lady of Hope Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (St. Mary Church, with Holy Hour)
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (St. James Church, with Holy Hour / Adoration 3:00–6:45 PM)
- Saturday 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM (St. James Church)
- Saturday 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM (St. Mary Church)
- Friday 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM (St. James Church, listed on parish schedule)
Adoration times
- Monday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (St. Mary Church, as part of Holy Hour)
- Thursday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (St. James Church; with Confessions 6:00–6:45 PM and Mass at 7:00 PM)
Welcome & Parish Identity
Our Lady of Hope Parish is the Catholic parish of Grafton, Massachusetts, formed in July 2022 from the merger of Saint Philip (Grafton Center), Saint James (South Grafton), and Saint Mary (North Grafton). The parish greets visitors with an invitation: 'Welcome New Parishioners — Come join us and become a parishioner of Our Lady of Hope Parish at the Catholic Churches of Saint James, Saint Mary and Saint Philip… the Catholic Community of Grafton.' The parish office can be reached at 508-839-3993, with the parish secretary at ext. 10.
- Parish office: 508-839-3993 (parish secretary, ext. 10)
- Pastor: Rev. Anthony Mpagi
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Derek A. Mobilio
- Worship sites: Saint James (South Grafton) and Saint Mary (North Grafton)
History of the Grafton Catholic Community
The Grafton Catholic community grew up with the town itself, incorporated in 1735 as part of the original Nipmuck territory. The earliest Catholic mission in the area was Saint Philip's in Grafton Center, founded in 1869. Saint James in South Grafton began in 1883 when the Canal Cotton Company (later Fisher Manufacturing Company) donated land for a Catholic church; it remained a mission of Saint Philip's until 1987 — when the parish marked its centennial — and published St. James Church, 1887-1987 (Custombook, Inc., Tappan, NY). Saint Mary in North Grafton was begun as a mission in 1882 by Father James Boyle of Saint Philip's and grew into a Romanesque church designed by Providence architect James Murphy, completed in 1896; that building was destroyed by fire on March 30, 1948 and rebuilt by Easter Sunday 1949.
- St. Philip Church, Grafton Center — founded November 1869; closed November 23, 2024
- St. James Church, South Grafton — mission begun 1883 on land donated by Canal Cotton Co.
- St. Mary Church, North Grafton — mission begun 1882; original 1896 Romanesque church destroyed by fire March 30, 1948; rebuilt 1949; parish status April 30, 1952
- 2000: Gathering Space, offices, and classrooms added at St. Mary
- July 1, 2022: Bishop McManus erects Our Lady of Hope Parish
Saint James Church — South Grafton
Saint James Church sits at 89 Main Street, South Grafton (the Fisherville mill village), built on land given in 1883 by the Canal Cotton Company. The parish's online history draws on the 1987 centennial book and emphasizes the long-standing tradition of Catholic worship in this part of Grafton. In 1987 Saint James Parish celebrated 100 years with the publication of St. James Church, 1887-1987. Today Saint James serves as one of the two active worship sites of Our Lady of Hope Parish, hosting Sunday Masses at 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM, Thursday evening Mass at 7:00 PM (with Adoration 3:00–6:45 PM and Confessions 6:00–6:45 PM), Friday morning Mass at 8:00 AM (with Confessions 7:00–7:45 AM), and Saturday morning Mass at 8:00 AM.
- 89 Main Street, South Grafton, MA 01560
- Phone: (508) 839-5354
- Sunday Masses: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM
- Weekday Mass: Thursday 7:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM; Saturday 8:00 AM
- Confessions: Thursday 6:00–6:45 PM, Friday 7:00–7:45 AM, Saturday 7:00–7:45 AM
Saint Mary Church — North Grafton
Saint Mary Church began as a mission of Saint Philip's in 1882 under Father James Boyle. The original Romanesque, cruciform church was designed by Providence architect James Murphy, constructed by Fullerton of Providence, decorated by A. Blair of Holyoke, and dedicated November 29, 1896 by Bishop Thomas D. Beaven of Springfield. On March 30, 1948, just one hour after a requiem Mass offered by Father Thomas F. Mullahy, a fire of unknown origin completely destroyed the church (estimated loss $75,000). Stigmatine Father Guy Rossi, passing by, rescued the sacred vessels on his third try through the smoke. The cornerstone of the rebuilt church was laid August 15, 1948, the first Mass was celebrated Easter Sunday April 17, 1949, the church was dedicated May 19, 1950 by Bishop John J. Wright, and Saint Mary was raised to parish status on April 30, 1952. A Gathering Space, offices, and classrooms addition was completed in 2000. Today Saint Mary serves as a worship site of Our Lady of Hope Parish.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM (with Confessions 2:45–3:45 PM)
- Sunday Mass: 7:30 AM
- Monday 7:00 PM (Holy Hour & Confessions 6:00–6:45 PM)
- Tuesday 12:00 PM (noon)
- Wednesday 12:00 PM (noon)
Saint Philip Church — Grafton Center (1869–2024)
Saint Philip was the founding Catholic parish of Grafton, established in November 1869. Through the years it was served by 19 pastors and more than 25 curates and associates; parish priests also tended the Grafton State Hospital and Crescent Manor Nursing Home. Long-serving pastors included Rev. John Casey (1925–1945), Rev. James Ruddy (1952–1968), Rev. Raymond Lange (1969–1977), Msgr. Richard Collette (1979–1985), and Rev. Anthony Marteka (1985–2010). The original 19th-century church was replaced in 1977 with a modern building. In the summer of 2024, after consulting with Bishop McManus and the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, Fr. Mpagi made the difficult decision to sell Saint Philip; the final weekly Mass was held November 23, 2024, with a Special Mass of Transition at which parishioners held candles lit from the Paschal Candle and sang the Litany of the Saints including Saint Philip Benizi, the parish's patron.
- Founded November 1869
- Original church building replaced in 1977 with a modern building
- Closed and sale process begun under Fr. Anthony Mpagi, Summer 2024
- Final Mass: November 23, 2024
Clergy & Staff
Our Lady of Hope Parish is led by Rev. Anthony Mpagi, Pastor, who previously served as pastor of the former St. James Parish, South Grafton. The associate pastor is Rev. Derek A. Mobilio, ordained in June 2022 by Bishop McManus. The parish secretary can be reached at 508-839-3993, ext. 10. Anointing of the Sick is coordinated through Fr. Mpagi; in an emergency he can be reached at 978-732-4340 or [email protected], with the nearest parish contacted as a backup.
- Rev. Anthony Mpagi — Pastor (since 2022)
- Rev. Derek A. Mobilio — Associate Pastor (since 2022)
- Parish Secretary — ext. 10, 508-839-3993
- Lynette White — [email protected] (ministry ideas / contacts)
Stewardship & Giving
Our Lady of Hope Parish emphasizes 'Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure,' describing it as a 'necessary part of Catholic life' that is 'nonetheless spiritually enriching.' The parish website lists practical works of stewardship — visiting the sick and elderly, feeding the hungry, teaching those who want to learn, consoling the lonely and sorrowful, and giving a helping hand and a kind word — and ties these to the parish's ministries. Online giving is offered through two links on the website, one for Saint James and a separate one for Saint Mary and the former Saint Philip.
- Online Giving — Saint James
- Online Giving — Saint Mary and Saint Philip
- Contacts list of ministries available on the Stewardship page
- New ministry ideas: contact Lynette White, [email protected]
Faith Formation & Totus Tuus
The parish hosts the Totus Tuus Summer Program, a weeklong Catholic youth program with daytime sessions for Grades 1–8 and evening sessions for Grades 9–12. The most recent summer session scheduled was July 19–24, advertised on the homepage as 'FUN for all!' Beyond summer programs, the parish supports ongoing Faith Formation for children and families of the Grafton Catholic community.
- Totus Tuus Summer Program — Grades 1–8 (daytime) and Grades 9–12 (evening)
- Faith Formation / Religious Education for parish families
Sacraments & Devotions
The parish website publishes pages on the Mass, the Liturgical Year, and the Anointing of the Sick, as well as a full Mass / Reconciliation / Eucharistic Adoration schedule. The Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment; in an emergency the parish instructs families to call Fr. Anthony Mpagi at 978-732-4340 ([email protected]), and if the priest is not in the area, to contact the nearest parish.
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment; emergency line: 978-732-4340
- Eucharistic Adoration — Monday evening (St. Mary) and Thursday afternoon/evening (St. James)
- Holy Hour combined with Confessions on Monday and Thursday evenings
Practical Information
The parish office phone line is 508-839-3993, with the parish secretary reached at extension 10. Saint James Church has its own listed phone, (508) 839-5354. Mass Changes and special-event announcements (funerals, vacations, ordinations) are posted on the Mass Times page so that worshippers can verify the schedule for any given week. The website keeps a 'Where to find our Churches' map link directing visitors to each worship site in Grafton.
- Parish office: 508-839-3993 (ext. 10 for secretary)
- Saint James phone: (508) 839-5354
- Saint James address: 89 Main Street, South Grafton, MA 01560
- Map link on the website for Grafton worship-site locations
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anthony Mpagi2022–present
First pastor of the newly erected Our Lady of Hope Parish; previously pastor of St. James Parish, South Grafton. Led the parish through its formation and the 2024 closure and sale of St. Philip Church.