About St. Justin · Hartford, Connecticut
St. Justin–St. Michael Parish is a multicultural Catholic parish in Hartford's Blue Hills / North End neighborhood, formed in 2017 when the historic St. Justin Church merged with nearby St. Michael Church under the pastoral umbrella of the Archdiocese of Hartford. The parish worships in three languages — English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole — with a single combined Multicultural Mass on the first Sunday of each month, and is known for its striking Art Deco sanctuary built in 1933 and described by local historians as one of the most beautiful Catholic monuments in Connecticut.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. Justin (Martyr)
- Rector
- Rev. Mathieu Isaac
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Hartford
Why belong here
St. Justin–St. Michael is a rare multilingual Catholic community on Hartford's Blue Hills Avenue where three neighborhoods meet at one altar: a Spanish-language Mass at 8:30 a.m., an English Mass at 10:00 a.m., and a Haitian Creole Mass at 4:00 p.m. on most Sundays, plus a single combined Multicultural Mass at 10:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month. The parish runs a traditional Religious Education / Faith Formation program for kindergarten through high school on Saturday mornings, a two-year Confirmation preparation, RCIA and RCIC, and Marriage Preparation classes — making it a place where families at every sacramental stage can grow in faith together, anchored by one of the most architecturally distinguished Art Deco sanctuaries in Connecticut.
Mass times at St. Justin
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only, in the church — call 860-246-6897 to schedule.
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Every Thursday, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM, Parish Center (per the parish site); one secondary listing notes 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM in the Parish Center.
Our Story — The History of St. Justin–St. Michael
The territory of St. Justin, in Hartford's north end, was carved out of the parishes of St. Michael and the cathedral, although parish life began even before canonical organization. In 1914 Father Francis P. Nolan — a Yale-trained civil engineer who was also diocesan Director of Cemeteries — built a residence on land that had been the Thomas farm in the Blue Hills section of Hartford. That 1914 house still stands next to the church as the rectory. On October 16, 1924, the parish of St. Justin was canonically established with Father Nolan as founding pastor. Early Masses were celebrated at Northwest School on Woodland Street until February 1, 1925, when the basement of the Blue Hills Avenue church was formally dedicated. Working with architects Whiton & McMahon, Father Nolan planned the superstructure of St. Justin Church in meticulous detail — and the parish raised $250,000 during the Great Depression without ever needing a building fund drive. Bishop John J. Nilan dedicated the finished church on May 21, 1933.
- 1914: Fr. Francis P. Nolan builds the rectory on the former Thomas farm in Blue Hills.
- October 16, 1924: Parish of St. Justin canonically established; Fr. Nolan named founding pastor.
- February 1, 1925: Basement of the Blue Hills Avenue church formally dedicated for worship.
- May 21, 1933: Bishop John J. Nilan dedicates the completed St. Justin Church.
- April 2017: St. Michael Church (Clark Street) merges into St. Justin to form St. Justin–St. Michael Parish.
A Catholic Monument on Blue Hills Avenue
Historian Joseph W. Duffy wrote that what rose on Blue Hills Avenue would long remain one of the most beautiful Catholic monuments in Connecticut. Thirteen different kinds of marble are found inside St. Justin Church — the smallest piece of which is an olive branch in the mouth of a white dove. Celtic symbols decorate the great bronze doors, opening onto an interior filled with numerous artistic masterpieces intended to inspire and uplift the spirit. The church is an Art Deco structure, and that styling continues into the interior ornamentation.
- Style: Art Deco (built 1931–1933, architects Whiton & McMahon)
- Great bronze doors decorated with Celtic symbols
- Interior finished with thirteen kinds of marble
- Smallest marble piece: olive branch in the mouth of a white dove
- 1914 Nolan House stands adjacent and serves as the rectory
Two Parishes Become One — The 2017 Merger
In late 2016 the Archdiocese of Hartford announced sweeping pastoral planning — merging or closing roughly 100 parishes in response to aging buildings, fewer Catholic households, and a shortage of priests. After a year of joint discussions led by a 'Faithful 10' group (five parishioners from each church), St. Michael Church on Clark Street celebrated its final Mass on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017. More than 100 parishioners processed about 1.5 miles to their new home at St. Justin on Blue Hills Avenue, ushering in a new era for Hartford's North End Catholic community. The unified parish took the name St. Justin–St. Michael Parish and brought together the English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole communities that now share one sanctuary.
- St. Michael Church closed and merged into St. Justin, April 2017.
- Parish unification process guided by a 'Faithful 10' committee.
- Then-pastor Fr. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu led the transition.
- Merger was one of seven Hartford-area parish consolidations that year.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education / Faith Formation program uses a traditional classroom model for students in kindergarten through high school, meeting Saturdays from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the Parish Center. The program uses textbooks, take-home assignments, discussion, and group projects, and is open to children of registered parishioners. Older children and teens who are unbaptized or have not yet received First Holy Communion prepare through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) and typically receive their sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
- Saturdays 9:00–10:00 AM, Parish Center.
- Traditional classroom model (textbooks + take-home work).
- Open to registered parishioners.
- RCIC available for older children not yet baptized.
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
St. Justin–St. Michael walks parishioners through the major sacraments: Baptism (with monthly preparation classes), First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (children typically begin in 1st grade and receive on Corpus Christi Sunday), Confirmation (a two-year program beginning in 9th grade that includes classroom work plus social-justice activities), and Marriage (a minimum 6-month notice plus marriage preparation classes). Reconciliation is offered by appointment. Adults interested in becoming Catholic are invited to inquire about the RCIA process.
- Baptism: First Saturday of each month, 10:00 AM, preparation class required.
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion: preparation begins 1st grade; reception on Corpus Christi Sunday.
- Confirmation: two-year program, 9th–10th grade; classroom hour weekly plus social-justice activities.
- Marriage: minimum 6 months' notice; marriage-preparation classes required.
- RCIA: contact the parish office at 860-246-6897.
Ministers & Pastoral Staff
The parish is led by its pastor and supported by deacons serving the English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole communities. Staff assignments are kept current through the Archdiocese of Hartford's clergy directory.
- Rev. Mathieu Isaac — Pastor
- Deacon Ramon Rosado
- Parish Office: 860-246-6897
Visiting, Sacraments for the Sick & Pastoral Care
Anyone who would like a priest or deacon to visit at home, in the hospital, or in hospice should call (860) 263-9370. The parish office can also be reached for appointments, baptisms, marriages, and sacramental records.
- Hospital / home / hospice visits: 860-263-9370.
- Parish office line: 860-246-6897.
- Baptism preparation registration: 860-246-6897.
Visit Us — Contact & Location
St. Justin–St. Michael Parish is located on Blue Hills Avenue in Hartford's North End / Blue Hills neighborhood. Visitors are warmly welcomed to attend Mass in any of the parish's three language communities or to call ahead to arrange a confession or a pastoral visit.
- Address: 230 Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford, CT 06112
- Phone: 860-246-6897
- Email: stjustinsrectory@sbcglobal.net
- Website: http://stjustinstmichael.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis P. Nolan1924–
Founding pastor; trained as an engineer at Yale's Sheffield Scientific School; also diocesan Director of Cemeteries; built the rectory in 1914 and planned the church building dedicated in 1933.
- Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu2017–
Led the 2017 merger of St. Michael Church into the newly named St. Justin–St. Michael Parish, processing with parishioners from Clark Street to Blue Hills Avenue on Palm Sunday 2017.