About St. Joseph & St. Patrick · Utica, New York
St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Utica, New York, part of the Diocese of Syracuse. Originally founded in 1841 by German immigrants working on the Erie and Oswego canals, it is older than any diocese in New York State outside of New York City. The present German-Romanesque brick church, built between 1871 and 1882, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1965–66 the parish merged with neighboring St. Patrick's Church across Columbia Street, and today the parish is widely known as the childhood parish of Saint Marianne Cope, canonized in 2012, whose legacy lives on in the parish's Mother Marianne's Westside Kitchen that serves hot meals 365 days a year.
- Established
- 1841
- Patron
- St. Joseph and St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Tom Servatius
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Joseph & St. Patrick is a living historic parish that welcomes every generation. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel open 24/7 for over 26 years, a robust Religious Education and RCIA program, and active prayer groups such as the Holy Face of Jesus, Padre Pio, Divine Mercy Cenacle, and Walking With Jesus. Its famed Mother Marianne's Westside Kitchen feeds an average of 4,500 meals per month to hungry neighbors 365 days a year — a tangible expression of Catholic social teaching that parishioners of all ages can support through time, food, or donations.
Mass times at St. Joseph & St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered at sister parishes in the area (e.g., Historic Old St. John's Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM; Mary, Mother of Our Savior Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 PM and Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM; St. Anthony-St. Agnes Saturdays 3:45–4:15 PM; SH/St. Mary's NYM Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM; St. Paul's Whitesboro Saturdays 2:30–3:15 PM) per the September 2025 schedule published on the parish website.
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel — open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for more than 26 years. Contact Karen Slocum, Adoration Director, at 315-360-4829.
History of St. Joseph & St. Patrick
St. Joseph's Church is older than any Catholic diocese in New York State outside of New York City. German immigrants in the Mohawk Valley who had been working on the Erie and Oswego canals petitioned for a priest of their own language, and after years of itinerant missionaries the first resident pastor, Rev. Joseph Prost, arrived in 1842. The parish was incorporated on March 28, 1843. The Conventual Franciscan Friars assumed care of the parish in 1858–59, the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse (founded by Mother Marianne Cope and the parish) took over the school in 1860, and the present German-Romanesque brick church was begun in 1871 and completed in 1882. It was consecrated by Bishop Patrick A. Ludden on January 26, 1908. In 1965–66 St. Joseph's merged with St. Patrick's Church across the street; St. Patrick's was later demolished.
- First Mass in Utica celebrated by Rev. Michael O'Gorman, January 10, 1819
- Parish's official history begins with two marriages in November 1841
- First resident pastor: Rev. Joseph Prost, 1842
- Franciscan Friars took formal possession March 13, 1859
- Present church begun 1871, completed 1882; consecrated Jan. 26, 1908
- Merged with St. Patrick's in 1965–66
Architecture & Historic Buildings
The church is built in the German Romanesque style of brick with limestone trim, on a simple basilican plan 180 feet long. Its stained glass windows were made by the Tyrolese Art Glass Company of Innsbruck, Austria. The marble altar railing was donated by the Altar Society and installed after the 1908 consecration, followed by a marble and onyx pulpit and a new pipe organ. The complex was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on August 22, 1977.
- NRHP reference number 77000967
- Stained glass by Tyrolese Art Glass Company, Innsbruck, Austria
- Marble and onyx pulpit and pipe organ added after 1908 consecration
- 5.5-acre complex at 704–708 Columbia Street
Prayer Groups & Devotions
A remarkable number of prayer groups meet at the parish throughout the month, covering traditional Catholic devotions and cemetery pilgrimages.
- Walking With Jesus (Cemetery Visits) — 1st Wednesday, 10:00 AM, Blessed Mother Chapel, Calvary Cemetery
- Divine Mercy Cenacle — 4th Wednesday, 6:00 PM, Parish Center
- Padre Pio Prayer Group — 3rd Wednesday, 6:00 PM, Parish Center
- Holy Face of Jesus Prayer Group — Tuesdays, 6:00–7:00 PM, Parish Center
- Purgatory Prayer Group 'Walking With Jesus for Poor Souls' — 1st Wednesday, 10:00 AM, Calvary Cemetery main chapel
Religious Education & RCIA
The parish runs a Religious Education program for children preparing for the sacraments of Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, and an RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for adults and older children who wish to become Catholic or complete their initiation. Classes resume in the Fall on Sundays from 8:45–10:15 AM. VIRTUS child-protection training is required for anyone working with children.
- Religious Education: Cheryl Staley, DRE — (315) 527-7928
- RCIA: Katie Koscinski — (315) 797-1985; also Fr. Dellos at 315-735-4429 x2
- Sunday class times: 8:45–10:15 AM
Sacraments & Ceremonies
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Couples must contact the parish at least six months before a wedding; baptisms, first communions, and confirmations are coordinated through specific parish staff; the Anointing of the Sick is available by calling the Parish Office.
- Marriage — Deborah Sullivan, Parish Office, 315-735-4429 x4 (6 months advance)
- Baptism — Ellen Benton, OFS, 315-735-4429 x5
- Penance / First Communion / Confirmation — Cheryl Staley, DRE, 315-527-7928
- Anointing of the Sick — Parish Office, 315-735-4429 x4
Mother Marianne's Westside Kitchen & Outreach
Mother Marianne's Westside Kitchen, located in the Parish Center at 702 Columbia St., has been feeding hungry neighbors 365 days a year since 2008, serving an average of 4,500 meals per month to guests ranging in age from two to ninety-two. The West Side Boutique collects clothing and household items (blankets, towels, underwear, sneakers, cleaning products, etc.) and distributes them to those in need. The parish also maintains a GoFundMe ('Food is a Stepping Stone to Hope') to keep the kitchen running.
- Average 4,500 meals served per month, 365 days a year
- West Side Boutique donation drop-off: Mondays 10:00–11:00 AM, Parish Center
- GoFundMe: gofundme.com/westsidekitchen
- Contact: [email protected]
Saint Marianne Cope & the Parish's Saintly Heritage
Barbara Koob — later Mother Marianne Cope — was born in Germany in 1838, moved with her family to West Utica, and attended Mass at St. Joseph Church as a child. In 1860 she came to teach in the parish school and, within the year, helped found what became the Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse. In 1866 the community founded St. Elizabeth's Hospital (now St. Elizabeth Medical Center) in West Utica. Mother Marianne went on to serve the leprosy patients of Molokai with St. Damien; she was beatified in 2005 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. After her beatification, a statue of her was erected in the church, and the parish dedicated a Home Garden Shrine in her honor at 620 Schuyler Street, Utica, on October 22, 2017.
- Saint Marianne Cope (1838–1918), canonized 2012
- Statue erected in her honor following her beatification
- St. Marianne Cope Home Garden Shrine dedicated October 22, 2017, 620 Schuyler St.
- 'In Memory' and 'In Honor' plaques available for $100 each
Mother Marianne Book Shoppe
The parish operates a small religious goods store located in the church, selling sacramentals and Catholic devotional items. It is open before and after weekend Masses and by appointment.
- Located in St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church
- Open before and after Sunday Masses (7:30 AM and 10:00 AM services) and by appointment
- Contact: Sandi Maher at 315-717-1077
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by a pastor and parochial vicar with a small team of lay staff and trustees. The Conventual Franciscan heritage continues to be honored through the active Third Order of St. Francis presence in parish life.
- Pastor: Rev. Tom Servatius — 315-735-4429
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Eduardo Pesigan III
- Trustees: Richard Dukette III and Paul Antonik — 315-735-4429 ext. 2
- Office Administrator: Bee Wehrle — 315-735-4429 x4
- Religious Education / DRE: Cheryl Staley — 315-527-7928
- Evangelization: Ellen Benton, OFS — 315-735-4429 x5
- Mother Marianne Book Shoppe: Sandra Maher and Josie — 315-717-1077
- Social Media Editor: Jennifer DeFazio — 315-735-4429 x4
- Adoration Director: Karen Slocum — 315-360-4829
- Rectory Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9 AM–1 PM; Friday closed
Mass Intentions
Following Catholic tradition, Mass Intentions are primarily for the deceased. The parish asks that a single intention include a single family/name, that political-agenda intentions not be submitted, and that donations be made separately from regular giving (per Church Law). Suggested donation per intention is $15; requests should be made at least 3 months in advance.
- Suggested donation: $15 per intention
- Please allow 3 months advance notice
- Multiple-family intentions not accepted
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael O'Gorman (Gorman)1819 (first public Mass in Utica)
Pastor of St. Mary's Albany; celebrated Mass in the Utica Academy, January 10, 1819
- Rev. Farnan1819–1823
First established Rector; erected a Gothic church seating 300
- Rev. Richard Balger1823–1824
- Rev. Charles Brennan1824–1825
- Rev. John Shanahan1825–1827
- Rev. Luke Berry1827–1828
- Rev. Hatton Walsh1828–1829
- Rev. P.J.M. O'Reilly1829–1830
- Rev. Michael Cummins1830–1831
- Rev. James McCahill1831–1833
- Rev. Walter Quarter1833–1839
- Rev. Lewis Wariath1837–1841
Records also indicate service during 1837–1841
- Rev. Francis Farrall1839–1840
- Rev. Francis Guth1841–1842
Two marriages celebrated Nov. 1841 mark start of parish history
- Rev. Joseph Prost1842–Feb. 4, 1843
First resident pastor; parish incorporated March 28, 1843
- Rev. Adelbert InamaJune 29, 1843 – Sept. 14, 1844
- Rev. Florin SchwenningerSept. 1844 – Oct. 1849
- Rev. Dr. John Arnold1849–1854
- Rev. John Constantine Weber1854–1859
Died Sept. 28, 1860
- Rev. Leopold Moczygemba, OFM Conv.March 13, 1859 – June 21, 1859
First Franciscan pastor
- Rev. Dominic Messens, OFM Conv.June 21, 1859 – May 7, 1860