About St. Joan of Arc and the Black Catholic Apostolate · Menands, New York
St. Joan of Arc and the Black Catholic Apostolate is a Roman Catholic parish located in the village of Menands, just north of Albany, New York, within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. The parish was established on December 8, 1927, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, by Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons, and is named after St. Joan of Arc, one of the Church's newest saints at the time of founding. Since 2005, the parish has also served as the home of the Black Catholic Apostolate (BCA), a spirit-filled African American and African-rooted faith community founded in 1984 by Father Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah, who remains the parish's pastor today. Together, the parish and the Apostolate form a culturally diverse community of more than 150 families drawn from across the Capital District, the Upper Hudson Valley, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
- Established
- 1927
- Patron
- St. Joan of Arc
- Rector
- Rev. Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Joan of Arc and the Black Catholic Apostolate offers a rare combination: a historic parish founded in 1927, and a vibrant, culturally diverse apostolic community whose Sunday liturgy at 10:15 AM weaves Roman Catholic tradition with the music, song, and rhythm of African American and African cultures — drums, tambourines, gospel hymnody, and joyful congregational participation. Members travel from across the Capital District, the Upper Hudson Valley, Massachusetts, and Vermont to be part of a faith family of more than 150 households. With active faith formation for ages 4–17, a Gospel Choir, lectors, ushers, a bereavement ministry, and youth, men's, and women's groups, there are many ways to belong, serve, and grow.
Mass times at St. Joan of Arc and the Black Catholic Apostolate
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM
- Or by appointment
Our Story — Two Communities, One Home
St. Joan of Arc and the Black Catholic Apostolate is a single parish that shelters two intertwined histories. The Menands parish was founded in 1927 by Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons in a converted barn on Lyons Avenue; the Black Catholic Apostolate, founded in 1984 by Father Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah, joined the parish family in 2005 after a twenty-year journey through several Albany churches. Together they now form a diverse Catholic family of more than 150 households drawn from across the Capital District, the Upper Hudson Valley, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
- St. Joan of Arc parish founded December 8, 1927 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
- Black Catholic Apostolate founded in 1984 by Father Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah, with the blessing of Bishop Howard Hubbard
- The Apostolate relocated to St. Joan of Arc, Menands, in 2005
- Celebrated the Apostolate's 41st Anniversary on August 10, 2025
The Black Catholic Apostolate
The Black Catholic Apostolate (BCA) exists to bring Black Catholics — and anyone drawn to a more spirit-filled liturgy — back to Church in a setting that honors the Roman Catholic tradition while embracing the music, song, dance, and prayer of African American and African cultures. Mass begins with a traditional welcome and opening prayer, then builds with hymns, Gospel songs, drums, guitar, piano/organ, tambourines, and Congo drums. The liturgy is Bible-based: members bring Bibles each week and the homily is treated as an opportunity for explanation and historical context.
- Liturgy fully rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition, enriched with spirit-filled music, song, and dance
- Bible-based preaching with congregational engagement
- Procession of the chalice and communion to the altar by community members
- Sign of Peace with movement, hugs, and handshakes
- Diverse membership: Black, African, Hispanic, Latino, South American, West Indian, Asian, Cuban, American Indian, and Caucasian
Our Mission
The Black Catholic Apostolate's published mission statement calls the community to praise God at Mass, integrate diverse cultures in sacramental life, warmly welcome all who come, spread the Gospel — especially among the Black community, the unchurched, and those who have fallen away — reach out to those less fortunate, live the Bible day by day, and invest in youth ministry.
- Praising God at Mass firmly rooted in Roman Catholic tradition, but spirit-filled with music, song, and dance
- Integrating diverse cultures and ethnic experiences in sacramental celebrations
- Warmly accepting all who come to us
- Spreading the Good News throughout the Diocese of Albany
- Reaching out to those less fortunate and sharing material and spiritual wealth
- Incorporating the Bible and Catholic teaching into daily life
- Working diligently with youth to keep them active in their faith
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Faith Formation program is coordinated by Dawn Hewitt and serves young people ages 4 through 17. It provides sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, and offers ongoing faith formation for those who have already received those sacraments. Religious education has deep roots here — it was begun by the Sisters of St. Joseph, who were driven in from Troy every Sunday morning by parishioners, and expanded by the Missionary Sisters of the St. Augustine, the Daughters of Charity, and the Sisters of Mercy.
- Coordinator: Dawn Hewitt, Religious Education / Faith Formation Coordinator
- Sacramental prep for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation
- Ongoing formation for ages 4–17
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music is the heart of the Black Apostolate's 10:15 AM liturgy, supported by a Gospel Choir that also provides music for other liturgical celebrations. Lectors proclaim sacred Scripture at all liturgies, and the Hospitality/Usher Ministry welcomes worshipers at the door of every Sunday Mass. Martin Amissah serves as Music Director, and the parish also draws on the long tradition of drums, guitar, piano/organ, tambourines, and Congo drums that animates the Apostolate.
- Gospel Choir (10:15 AM Sunday liturgy and other celebrations)
- Lector Ministry (proclaims sacred Scripture at liturgies and special celebrations)
- Hospitality / Usher Ministry (welcomes worshipers at every Sunday Mass)
- Music Director: Martin Amissah
Parish Societies & Fellowship
The community gathers in a number of ongoing societies that build friendship, faith, and service. The Youth group is open to young people in grade 7 and up and provides opportunities for Christian growth through social, spiritual, and service activities. The Men's and Women's groups round out the parish's lay life.
- Youth Group (grade 7 and up)
- Men's Group
- Women's Group
- Bereavement Ministry (supports families of the deceased, assists with the funeral liturgy, visits and sends condolence cards; training provided)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates Baptism, Reconciliation, the Eucharist, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick, and ministers funeral Masses at 9:00 AM. Preparation for the sacraments of initiation is offered through the Faith Formation program.
- Baptism: first Saturday of the month, by appointment
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30 PM or by appointment
- First Eucharist and Confirmation: through Faith Formation
- Funeral Masses: scheduled at 9:00 AM, arranged through the funeral home
Our Staff
St. Joan of Arc and the Black Catholic Apostolate is led by a small, dedicated staff. Father Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah — founder of the Black Catholic Apostolate — serves as pastor, supported by a parish secretary, religious education coordinator, and music director.
- Rev. Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah — Pastor
- Lucie Diomande — Parish Secretary
- Dawn Hewitt — Religious Education / Faith Formation Coordinator
- Martin Amissah — Music Director
Visit & Contact
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The church is located on Menand Road in the village of Menands, immediately north of Albany. The community is also active on Facebook, where news, anniversary celebrations, and parish events are shared.
- Address: 76 Menand Road, Menands, NY 12204
- Phone: 518-463-0378
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjoabca
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah1984 – present (Black Catholic Apostolate); pastor of St. Joan of Arc from at least 2005
African priest of the Albany Diocese who founded the Black Catholic Apostolate in 1984 with the blessing of Bishop Howard Hubbard; led the Apostolate through moves from St. Joseph's to St. Casimir's to St. George's in Albany before settling at St. Joan of Arc in Menands in 2005.