About St. Joseph the Worker - Richfield Springs · Richfield Springs, New York
St. Joseph the Worker is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Albany serving the Otsego County communities of Richfield Springs and West Winfield in central New York. The parish is structured as one parish family across two historic church sites — the Richfield Springs church at 35 Canadarago Street and the West Winfield church at 303 West Main Street — formed in 2009 when the formerly separate St. Joseph's Parish of Richfield Springs and St. Joseph's Parish of West Winfield were merged. Both churches are open daily for prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and the parish sustains an extensive schedule of Masses, confessions, perpetual adoration, and devotional life rooted in Marian spirituality. The current administrator is Father Brian Lehnert (appointed March 1, 2025), succeeding Father Rendell Torres, who was pastor from July 1, 2021 until early 2025.
- Established
- 2009 (current merged parish); predecessor St. Joseph's of Richfield Springs incorporated 1853
- Patron
- St. Joseph the Worker
- Rector
- Father Brian Lehnert (Administrator, effective March 1, 2025)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Joseph the Worker offers one of the richest devotional lives in rural upstate New York: daily Mass at two historic church sites, an extensive confession schedule, and near-continuous Eucharistic adoration — including all-night adoration at both churches around the weekend. The parish runs the 'Adoring Jesus through Mary' spiritual formation program, brings in speakers to share their faith journeys, and welcomes all comers to open churches where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved daily. It is a small, family-oriented parish rooted in 19th-century Catholic tradition but oriented toward Marian and Eucharistic renewal.
Mass times at St. Joseph the Worker - Richfield Springs
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:00–8:20 AM (West Winfield)
- Sunday 11:30 AM (Richfield Springs, after 10:30 AM Mass)
- Monday 12:45–1:00 PM (West Winfield, after 12 Noon Mass)
- Wednesday 12:45–1:00 PM (Richfield Springs, after 12 Noon Mass)
- Wednesday 6:30–7:00 PM (Richfield Springs)
- Thursday 9:45–10:00 AM (Richfield Springs, after 9:00 AM Mass)
- Friday 9:45–10:00 AM (West Winfield, after 9:00 AM Mass)
- 1st Friday 6:00–6:30 PM (Richfield Springs, before Mass)
- Saturday 3:15–3:45 PM (Richfield Springs)
- Saturday 7:00 PM (West Winfield, after 6 PM Mass)
- 1st Saturday 8:30–9:00 AM (West Winfield, before Mass)
- Weekdays after Mass and by appointment
Adoration times
- Sunday 12:01 AM – 8:30 AM: West Winfield Church (all night after Saturday 6 PM Mass until Sunday 8:30 Mass)
- Monday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Adoration and Rosary
- Tuesday 8:30 – 9:00 AM: Adoration and Rosary
- Wednesday 12:30 PM – 11:59 PM: Richfield Springs Church (all afternoon and night after Wednesday Noon Mass until 9 AM Thursday Mass)
- Thursday 12:01 AM – 9:00 AM: Richfield Springs Church (all afternoon and night after Wednesday Noon Mass until 9 AM Thursday Mass)
- Saturday 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM: West Winfield Church (all night after Saturday 6 PM Mass until Sunday 8:30 Mass)
- Adoration is also 30 minutes before Masses during the Rosary
Parish Identity and Diocese
St. Joseph the Worker Parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, which covers much of upstate New York's Capital Region and surrounding counties. The parish is officially listed on the diocesan website under two worship-site addresses and operates as a single canonical parish serving two villages. Its patron is St. Joseph the Worker, and the parish is administered under the authority of the current Bishop of Albany.
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
- Patron: St. Joseph the Worker (feast day May 1)
- One parish family, two locations
- Listed on the diocesan parish finder at rcda.org
History
Catholic life in Richfield Springs goes back to 1853, when the local Catholic society was incorporated as a mission branch of the Cooperstown church under trustees Patrick Weldon, James Nellis, and William Burke. The first Masses were celebrated in the district school-house and at private homes. In 1870 the present brick church on Canadarago Street was completed and dedicated. West Winfield's St. Joseph's Parish grew up in parallel. In 2009 the two parishes were merged into today's St. Joseph the Worker Parish.
- 1853: Catholic society incorporated in Richfield Springs
- 1870: Present Richfield Springs church built (32 × 60 ft, $3,500)
- 2009: Merger with West Winfield's St. Joseph's forms St. Joseph the Worker Parish
- 2021: Father Rendell Torres appointed pastor
- 2025: Father Brian Lehnert named Administrator
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently led by Father Brian Lehnert as Administrator (effective March 1, 2025). He succeeds Father Rendell Torres, who served as pastor from July 1, 2021 until his reassignment to become Rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany.
- Father Brian Lehnert — Administrator (2025–present)
- Father Rendell Torres — Pastor (2021–2025); now Rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany
Adoring Jesus through Mary
The parish's signature spiritual formation program, 'Adoring Jesus through Mary,' centers the community's life on Marian devotion, Eucharistic adoration, and annual stewardship renewal. Each year around Trinity Sunday the parish distributes a trifold brochure and a commitment card inviting families to renew their faith commitments and financial support. Parishioners also offer faith-sharing testimonies during weekend Masses.
- Annual brochure and commitment card
- Parishioner testimonies during Mass
- Focused on Marian and Eucharistic spirituality
- Tied to stewardship and offertory
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
Beyond the Mass and Reconciliation schedule, the parish offers the other sacraments of the Church (Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick) by arrangement through the parish office. Confession is also available by appointment.
- Reconciliation by appointment
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick by arrangement
- Daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration open to all
Locations and Contact
The parish operates from two church sites in Otsego and Herkimer counties. The mailing address and main phone line are tied to the Richfield Springs location.
- Richfield Springs Church: 35 Canadarago St., Richfield Springs, NY 13439
- West Winfield Church: 303 West Main St., West Winfield, NY 13491
- Mailing: PO Box 791, Richfield Springs, NY 13439
- Phone: (315) 858-1682
- Website: http://www.stjoseph.work/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Rendell Torres2021–2025
Appointed pastor July 1, 2021 by Bishop Scharfenberger. Launched the 'Adoring Jesus through Mary' program. Reassigned March 1, 2025 to become Rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany.