About St. Kevin · Flushing, New York
St. Kevin Roman Catholic Church is a vibrant parish of the Diocese of Brooklyn in the Auburndale neighborhood of Flushing, Queens, New York. Founded on October 10, 1926 by Father (later Msgr.) John B. Delea on what was then open farmland, it grew from a humble house-church on 194th Street into one of the largest parishes in the diocese, currently numbering about 3,000 families (≈13,000 members). The parish complex today includes the brick church (1958), St. Kevin Catholic Academy, convent, rectory, and a memorial garden, all serving a multi-generational, multi-cultural Catholic community in northeast Queens.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- St. Kevin
- Rector
- Very Reverend Marc Swartvagher
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
Why belong here
St. Kevin is a large, multi-generational Catholic family in the heart of Auburndale that welcomes everyone — from cradle Catholics to newcomers and visitors — and pours itself into the Eucharist, faith formation, Catholic education, and service to the wider community. Daily and weekend Masses, weekly Confession, Eucharistic Adoration multiple times a week, a Miraculous Medal Novena, a thriving school (St. Kevin Catholic Academy), Simply Prayer gatherings, and dozens of lay ministries (Knights of Columbus, Rosarians, Young Adults, Scouts, CYO Youth Guild, Hospitality, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and more) make it easy to plug in. With a school enrollment still near 500 students and a parish of roughly 3,000 families entering its centennial year, St. Kevin blends deep tradition with active parish life.
Mass times at St. Kevin
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (and by appointment)
- Reconciliation Monday in Advent: 2:00–4:00 PM and 6:00–9:00 PM
- Reconciliation Monday in Lent: 2:00–4:00 PM and 6:00–9:00 PM
- No scheduled Confessions on Holy Saturday
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament – every Monday, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM, in the Convent Chapel
- Holy Hour for Vocations – Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in the Church
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament – First Fridays at 7:00 PM in the Church
History of St. Kevin Parish
In 1926, Archbishop Thomas E. Molloy called Msgr. John B. Delea from St. Andrew Avellino in Flushing and told him: 'Yours is the fast-growing borough in New York… yours is the fast-growing section and your parish, now only farms and woods, will one day take its place among the largest in our diocese. Grow with your parish. Plan well.' Father Delea took those words to heart. On October 10, 1926 he celebrated the first Mass — at 7 AM — in a two-story frame house on 194th Street that served as both chapel and rectory. By spring 1927 a Colonial-style wooden church had been raised on 30 lots purchased on 45th Avenue, and more than 1,000 people filled it for the opening Masses. Through the Depression, the parish only grew. The parochial school opened in 1940 (268 pupils), a convent was added in 1950, and the school swelled to 1,337 students during the post-war housing boom. In 1958, the current large brick church replaced the original wooden one. A school addition followed in 1968. The parish celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2001 with an eight-month program (revival mission, memorial garden, anniversary Mass with Bishop Thomas Daily, alumni day, concerts, gala) and its 100th in 2026.
- Founded October 10, 1926 by Father (later Msgr.) John B. Delea
- First Mass said in a house on 194th Street (still standing at 42-26 194th St)
- Original wooden church opened May 1927; current brick church dedicated 1958
- Parochial school opened 1940; convent completed 1950; school addition 1968
- Site of former Frame and Schumacher family farms
Leadership Through the Years
The parish has been served by 11 pastors since its founding. The succession — published on the parish's own history page — runs from founding pastor Msgr. John B. Delea (1926–1958) through the current pastor, Very Rev. Marc Swartvagher (2023–present). Notably, Most Rev. Raymond F. Chappetto served as pastor from 2012 to 2019 before being named an Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn.
- Msgr. John B. Delea (1926–1958, Founding Pastor)
- Msgr. Patrick J. Barry (1958–1966)
- Msgr. Vincent J. Powell (1966–1971)
- Rev. Daniel A. Gilroy (1971–1976)
- Rev. John P. Gallagher (1976–1982)
- Msgr. George V. Fogarty (1982–1993)
- Rev. James T. Smith (1993–2002)
- Msgr. D. Joseph Finnerty (2002–2012)
- Most Rev. Raymond F. Chappetto, DD, VG, VE (2012–2019)
- Rev. Robert H. C. Mema (2019–2023)
- Very Rev. Marc Swartvagher (2023–present)
Parish Staff
St. Kevin is served by a pastor, associate priest in residence, an in-residence priest, a parish deacon, and a lay staff including a Director of Faith Formation, Director of Music Ministry, Director of Pastoral Outreach, Plant Manager, Assistant to the Pastor, and Rectory Receptionist.
- Very Rev. Marc Swartvagher — Pastor
- Rev. Jeffry Dillon — Associate, In Residence
- Rev. Alexander Maria Doss — In Residence
- Deacon (Parish Deacon)
- Ms. Amora Laucella — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Mr. Steven Vaughan — Director of Music Ministry
- Director of Pastoral Outreach
- Mr. Daniel Merkl — Plant Manager
- Ms. Lisa Miller — Assistant to the Pastor
- Ms. Rosaria Surace — Rectory Receptionist
- Mr. Justin Guiffre — Head Sacristan
Parish Ministries
St. Kevin has an unusually wide range of active lay ministries — liturgical, devotional, social, service, and youth — making it easy for newcomers of every age to get involved. Music is described by the parish itself as a vital part of its liturgical tradition: 'all instruments and all people, regardless of musical background, may blend together to glorify God in song.'
- Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Hospitality Ministry
- Liturgical Decorating Committee
- Music Ministry (multiple choirs/instruments)
- Knights of Columbus (Catholic fraternal organization)
- Rosary Society / Rosarians (women's Marian devotion and charity)
- Young Adults
- Youth Guild / CYO — Catholic Youth Organization sports and recreation
- Girl Scouts of the USA (Daisies through Seniors; 100+ girls)
- Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts of America
- "The Market" at St. Kevin (parish outreach market)
- Simply Prayer
St. Kevin Catholic Academy
The parish school — now St. Kevin Catholic Academy — opened in 1940 with 268 students on the site of the former Schumacher Farm, just south of the church. It is a brick-and-limestone, 3- to 4-story building (with additions in 1950 and 1965) and serves a current enrollment of about 467 pupils. The Academy shares the campus with the church, rectory, convent and a memorial garden, and has its own phone line (718-357-8110) and website (StKevinCA.org).
- Opened 1940 on the site of the former Schumacher Farm
- Additions completed in 1950 and 1965
- Current enrollment approximately 467 students
- Mrs. Allison Murphy — Principal
- Mr. Michael D'Annunzio — Chairman, Board of Trustees
- Academy phone: 718-357-8110
- Web: StKevinCA.org
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Kevin is coordinated by the Director of Faith Formation and is supported by an active CYO/Youth Guild, Altar Servers, and the parish's Youth and Young Adult groups. The Religious Education Office is reached through the rectory (ext. 26).
- Director of Faith Formation: Ms. Amora Laucella ([email protected])
- Religious Education Office: 718-357-8888 ext. 26
- CYO / Youth Guild — recreational sports for parish youth
- Altar Servers program
- Young Adults ministry
Outreach, Charity & Community Life
St. Kevin has long had a social-justice and outreach ethos. The parish runs 'The Market' ministry, the Knights of Columbus and Rosarians run charitable works, and for many years the parish sponsored eight homeless men each winter (February through April) with parish volunteers providing nightly meals. The parish has also welcomed a multicultural community through Spanish and Filipino Apostolates and a multi-cultural Mass.
- "The Market" at St. Kevin (outreach market ministry)
- Knights of Columbus — charitable works and brotherly fellowship
- Rosary Society — Marian devotion and acts of charity
- Long-running winter homeless-sponsorship program (8 men, Feb–Apr) with nightly parish-prepared meals
- Spanish and Filipino Apostolates and a periodic multi-cultural Mass
Sacraments
Sacraments are arranged through the parish rectory. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturdays and on special Reconciliation Mondays during Advent and Lent. Catholic cemetery arrangements are handled through the diocesan Catholic Cemeteries office (718-894-4888).
- Baptism — contact the rectory
- Marriage — contact the rectory for preparation
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–4:30 PM and by appointment; Advent/Lent Reconciliation Mondays
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the rectory
- Eucharistic Adoration and First Friday devotions
- Catholic Cemeteries information: 718-894-4888
Visiting & Contact
The rectory is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch), with extended evening hours Monday through Wednesday (5:00–8:00 PM). Saturday hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. On Sundays and for clergy appointments outside office hours, visits are by appointment.
- Address: 45-21 194th Street, Flushing, NY 11358
- Phone: (718) 357-8888
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM (closed 12–1 PM); Mon–Wed 5–8 PM; Sat 9 AM–3 PM
- Sundays & clergy visits: by appointment
- Accessibility: handicap ramp, elevators, accessible bathrooms
- Located in the Auburndale section of Flushing (Queens Community District 11)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. John B. Delea1926–1958
Founding pastor; established the parish from a house on 194th Street and built the original wooden church (1927).
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Barry1958–1966
Succeeded the founding pastor; oversaw the completion of the current brick church in 1958.
- Rev. Msgr. Vincent J. Powell1966–1971
- Rev. Daniel A. Gilroy1971–1976
- Rev. John P. Gallagher1976–1982
- Rev. Msgr. George V. Fogarty1982–1993
- Rev. James T. Smith1993–2002
Led major renovations: new sound system, handicap ramp, elevators, bathrooms and other upgrades.
- Rev. Msgr. D. Joseph Finnerty2002–2012
- Most Reverend Raymond F. Chappetto, DD, VG, VE2012–2019
- Rev. Robert H. C. Mema2019–2023
- Very Reverend Marc Swartvagher2023–present
Current pastor; leads the parish into its 100th anniversary year.