About St. Luke · Schenectady, New York
St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church is a culturally, economically, and socially diverse parish in the Central State Street neighborhood of Schenectady, New York, part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. Established in 1916 by the fifth Bishop of Albany, Bishop Thomas F. Cusack, the parish grew from a handful of worshippers at Tuxedo Hall to a community of more than 1,100 families served today by its fifth pastor, Rev. Dominic P. Isopo. St. Luke's is anchored by an English Gothic church built in the 1930s and is well known across Schenectady County for the Daily Bread Food Pantry, the area's second-largest food provider, serving over 12,000 children and vulnerable adults each year. The parish describes itself as 'Rooted in Faith… Serving in Love' as it enters its second century.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- St. Luke the Evangelist
- Rector
- Reverend Dominic P. Isopo
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Luke's is a warm, diverse, inner-city parish in the Central State Street neighborhood of Schenectady that lives out its 100-year-old motto 'Rooted in Faith… Serving in Love.' Worshippers encounter a full traditional Catholic schedule of daily and weekend Mass, Saturday confessions, Friday Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, a daily Rosary, and a Tuesday Miraculous Medal Novena. Parishioners can grow through Faith Formation for children, youth, and special-needs learners (Rainbow of Friends), serve neighbors in need through the Daily Bread Food Pantry—the second largest food provider in Schenectady County—and minister to the homebound, sick, and bereaved through a robust Pastoral Care and Visitation Ministry. It is a parish that has stayed rooted in its neighborhood for over a century and welcomes all with great joy.
Mass times at St. Luke
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 3:00 pm
- By appointment (call the Pastor at 518-346-3405)
- Communal Reconciliation Services during Advent and Lent
- Special Reconciliation Services for the youth of the parish
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction: every Friday following the 11:00 am Mass (continuing until 4:00 pm)
- First Fridays: 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
- First Fridays: 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Nocturnal Adoration Society)
Our Story: A Century of Faith on State Street
St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church was established in 1916 by Bishop Thomas F. Cusack, the fifth Bishop of Albany, with the First Mass celebrated on July 30, 1916, at Tuxedo Hall on State Street by its first pastor, Fr. Martin T. McMahan, before just 15 parishioners. From those humble beginnings the parish has grown to a community of more than 1,100 families and is now preparing to mark 110 years in July 2026 under the legacy theme 'Rooted in Faith… Serving in Love.'
- Founded in 1916 by Bishop Thomas F. Cusack
- First Mass on July 30, 1916, at Tuxedo Hall, 1404 State Street
- First pastor: Fr. Martin T. McMahan (1916–1923)
- More than 1,100 families currently call St. Luke's home
Parish History
The parish's history unfolds across five pastorates, each marked by physical growth, new ministries, and a deepening response to a changing neighborhood. From the construction of the basement church in 1919–20 to the present English Gothic church dedicated in 1937, and from the founding of St. Luke's School in 1954 to the Daily Bread Food Pantry in the 1990s, St. Luke's has continually reinvented itself while remaining rooted in faith.
1916–1930: The Early Decades
By 1919 the parish had outgrown Tuxedo Hall, and construction began on a large basement church. The cornerstone was consecrated on November 1, 1919, and the first Mass was celebrated there on Palm Sunday, March 28, 1920. Under the second pastor, Fr. James J. Dasey (1923–1930), the basement church debt was retired, many parish societies were canonically established, and a religious education program was begun for the growing number of children.
- Basement church cornerstone: November 1, 1919
- First Mass in basement church: Palm Sunday, March 28, 1920
- Fr. James J. Dasey served 1923–1930
1930–1963: Building the Gothic Church and the School
Fr. William C. Keane's long pastorate brought the Sisters of St. Francis of the Atonement from Graymoor in 1932 to run a weekday religious education program (they remained for over 20 years) and saw the construction of the present English Gothic church, whose cornerstone was laid in 1936 by Bishop Edmond F. Gibbons and dedicated on February 7, 1937. In the early 1950s Fr. Keane established the parish school, which opened in 1954 as St. Luke's School on Albany Street, K–8 with an initial enrollment of more than 700 students, staffed for over a half-century by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
- Sisters of St. Francis of the Atonement arrive 1932
- English Gothic church cornerstone laid 1936; dedicated February 7, 1937
- St. Luke's School opens 1954 on Albany Street (K–8, 700+ students)
1963–1994: Vatican II Renewal and the Urban Mission
After Fr. Keane's death in 1964, Bishop William Scully appointed Msgr. Howard Manny as the fourth pastor. Msgr. Manny guided the parish through the liturgical renewal of Vatican II, ushering in new lay ministries such as Readers and Special Ministers of the Eucharist, and established one of the first Visitation Ministry programs in the Diocese to care for the homebound, nursing home, and hospitalized. He retired in 1994 and remained Pastor Emeritus until his death in 2012. Through the 1970s–90s, as the Central State Street neighborhood deteriorated, St. Luke's remained an anchor of stability while so many other urban churches closed or relocated to the suburbs.
- Msgr. Howard Manny served 1963–1994 (Pastor Emeritus until 2012)
- Vatican II liturgical renewal and new lay ministries
- First Visitation Ministry program in the Diocese of Albany
1994–Present: The Daily Bread Era
On the Feast of St. Dominic, August 8, 1994, Bishop Hubbard appointed Rev. Dominic P. Isopo as the fifth pastor. He founded the Daily Bread Food Pantry in the late 1990s, which has grown to become the second-largest food provider in Schenectady County, serving more than 12,000 children and vulnerable adults annually. In 2003 a $1.5 million interior renovation added a gathering area, restrooms, and a Furman Street parking lot. St. Luke's School closed in 2006 after educating more than 11,000 graduates, and the parish has since added the Martha, Evangelization, Greeters, Bereavement, Prayer Chain, and Parish and Urban Outreach ministries while constructing a new Pastoral Center and food pantry for the second century.
- Rev. Dominic P. Isopo appointed August 8, 1994
- Daily Bread Food Pantry founded in the late 1990s
- $1.5 million interior renovation in 2003
- St. Luke's School closes in 2006 after 11,000+ graduates
Our Mission
St. Luke's parish is a culturally, economically, and socially diverse community of baptized women, men, and children who, inspired by the Gospel and Catholic tradition, are committed to fulfilling the mission and ministry of Jesus. By virtue of baptism the parish is called to build up the Kingdom of God, to welcome, dignify, and respect all of God's people, to share time, talent, and treasure, and to celebrate the Eucharist as the apex of Catholic faith and Christian life.
Mass and Worship Schedule
Prayer and Worship is described by the parish as 'the heartbeat of St. Luke's Parish.' Daily Eucharist is celebrated Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 11:00 am, with the Rosary prayed each day at 10:30 am before Mass. The Vigil Mass is celebrated on Saturday at 4:00 pm, and two Sunday Masses are offered at 8:00 am and 11:00 am. Holy Days of Obligation are observed at 11:00 am and 6:00 pm.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am and 11:00 am
- Daily Mass (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri): 11:00 am
- Rosary daily at 10:30 am before Mass
- Holy Days: 11:00 am and 6:00 pm
Other Devotions
In addition to weekday and Sunday liturgies, the parish gathers for the daily Rosary at 10:30 am and a Novena in honor of the Miraculous Medal each Tuesday following the 11:00 am Mass.
- Daily Rosary at 10:30 am
- Miraculous Medal Novena: Tuesdays after 11:00 am Mass
Sacraments Offered
St. Luke's celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church as the heart of parish life, including Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation. Pastoral Care and Anointing of the Sick for the homebound, hospitalized, and dying remain a foundation of the parish's ministry.
- Baptism
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation
Parish Staff
The parish is led by its fifth pastor, Rev. Dominic P. Isopo, supported by a Pastoral Associate for Pastoral Care, a Parish Office Manager, a Director of Music Ministry, and a Director of Faith Formation.
- Rev. Dominic P. Isopo, Pastor ([email protected])
- Kristin Black, MSW, Pastoral Associate for Pastoral Care ([email protected]; 518-347-9955)
- Linda Quant, Parish Office Manager ([email protected])
- Maria Riccio Bryce, Director of Music Ministry ([email protected])
- Arlene Parisi, Director of Faith Formation ([email protected]; 518-377-8886, ext. 3)
Faith Formation
Faith Formation for Children and Youth is offered from Pre-K through Grade 11, along with the Rainbow of Friends program for learners with special needs. The program is staffed by a dedicated director and supported by parish catechists, and families can reach the office at 518-377-8886, prompt 1, ext. 3.
- Faith Formation for Children & Youth, Pre-K through Grade 11
- Rainbow of Friends (special-needs program)
- Director: Arlene Parisi
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry at St. Luke's enriches the celebration of the liturgy under the direction of Maria Riccio Bryce, drawing together parish musicians to support the parish's full schedule of weekday, Sunday, Holy Day, wedding, funeral, and devotional liturgies.
- Director: Maria Riccio Bryce ([email protected])
Outreach: Daily Bread Food Pantry
Founded in the late 1990s in response to the needs of the inner-city neighborhood, the Daily Bread Food Pantry is now the second-largest food provider in Schenectady County, serving more than 12,000 children and vulnerable adults annually. It operates as a People's Choice pantry, allowing individuals and families to select the foods they prefer, which promotes dignity and reduces waste. Volunteers speak with guests daily about economic, transportation, and resource-access challenges and help connect them with services. The pantry is open by appointment Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday (518-347-1385).
- People's Choice model pantry
- Second-largest food provider in Schenectady County
- Serves 12,000+ children and vulnerable adults annually
- Open by appointment Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat (518-347-1385)
- Serves immigrants, seniors, children, working poor, and multigenerational families
Pastoral Care and Parish Outreach
Pastoral Care is a foundational ministry at St. Luke's, with roots in Msgr. Manny's pioneering Visitation Ministry. Today the parish continues to visit and care for the homebound, nursing home residents, and hospitalized parishioners, while also supporting the bereaved through a dedicated Bereavement Ministry and intercessory prayer through the Prayer Chain Ministry.
- Pastoral Care and Visitation Ministry (homebound, nursing home, hospital)
- Bereavement Ministry
- Prayer Chain Ministry
- Pastoral Associate: Kristin Black, MSW (518-347-9955)
Community Events and Works of Mercy
St. Luke's hosts community events throughout the year, including an Annual Community Day and a Community Halloween Party, and participates in the Works of Mercy Initiative, a collaborative ministry with neighboring parishes.
- Annual Community Day
- Community Halloween Party
- Works of Mercy Initiative (collaborative ministry with neighboring parishes)
Parish Registration and Getting Involved
St. Luke's welcomes all with great joy and invites new parishioners to register by completing the Registration Form available from the parish office. Members are encouraged to share their time, talent, and treasure across the parish's many ministries, from the Martha Ministry and Evangelization Ministry to Greeters, Music, Faith Formation, and the Daily Bread Food Pantry.
- Registration Form available through the parish office
- Parish phone: 518-346-3405
- Parish email: [email protected]
Visit, Contact, and Find Us
St. Luke's is located at 1235 State Street in Schenectady, New York, with a mailing address of 1241 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12304. The parish can be reached at (518) 346-3405 or (518) 435-4191, with a separate Pastoral Care line at (518) 347-9955. The church is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.
- Church address: 1235 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12304
- Mailing address: 1241 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12304
- Phone: 518-346-3405 / 518-435-4191
- Pastoral Care: 518-347-9955
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Martin T. McMahan1916–1923
First pastor of St. Luke's; celebrated the parish's First Mass on July 30, 1916, at Tuxedo Hall, 1404 State Street, with 15 parishioners in attendance.
- Rev. James J. Dasey1923–1930
Second pastor; retired the debt of the basement church, canonically established many parish societies, and began a religious education program for the parish's children.
- Rev. William C. Keane1930–1963
Third pastor; brought the Sisters of St. Francis of the Atonement from Graymoor in 1932 to run weekday religious education; oversaw construction of the present English Gothic church (cornerstone 1936, dedicated February 7, 1937); died in 1964.
- Msgr. Howard Manny1963–1994
Fourth pastor; appointed by Bishop William Scully; guided St. Luke's through Vatican II liturgical renewal, created Readers and Special Ministers of the Eucharist ministries, and established one of the first Visitation Ministry programs in the Diocese. Retired in 1994 and remained Pastor Emeritus until his death in 2012.
- Rev. Dominic P. Isopo1994–present
Fifth pastor; appointed by Bishop Hubbard on the Feast of St. Dominic, August 8, 1994. Founded the Daily Bread Food Pantry in the late 1990s, led the 2003 interior renovation of the church, expanded lay ministries, and is leading the parish into its second century.