About St. Malachy · Sherburne, New York
St. Malachy's Roman Catholic Church is a small historic parish in the village of Sherburne, Chenango County, New York. Established in 1858 by the Bishop of Albany to serve a growing Irish Catholic community — Mass had been celebrated in private homes in the area since about 1848 — the parish today worships in a French Gothic–style church built in the early 1920s. It is part of the Diocese of Syracuse, currently pastored by Fr. Daniel M. Caughey, with a parochial vicar, faith-formation program, and a Eucharistic Minister team that brings Communion to those who cannot attend Mass. The church is fully accessible, with an elevator, hearing loop, signed Mass, and low-gluten hosts available.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- St. Malachy
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel M. Caughey
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Malachy's is a small but historic parish that has gathered Catholics in Sherburne since 1858 and still worships in its beautiful French Gothic church built in 1922–23. Parishioners can count on a Eucharistic Minister team that brings Communion to those who cannot attend Mass, an accessible church with elevator, hearing loop, signed Sunday Mass, and low-gluten hosts, and a faith-formation program run by longtime parishioner and historian Rosemarie Tenney. If you are new to the area, passing through, or looking for a spiritual home, the parish's welcome is genuine, the building is deeply rooted in local history, and the congregation is small enough to know you by name.
Mass times at St. Malachy
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 3:10 – 3:40 pm
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Welcome & Identity
Since its founding in 1858, St. Malachy's has been a place of faith, hope, and community in the heart of Sherburne, New York. Whether a visitor is new to the area, passing through, or searching for a spiritual home, the parish invites all to celebrate the Mass together in a warm and welcoming community where everyone is embraced in Christ's love.
Parish History
St. Malachy's Catholic Parish was established in 1858 to serve the growing Irish immigrant population in Sherburne; Mass had been held in private homes in the area since about 1848. The Bishop of Albany created the parish and the first purchase was land for the cemetery on April 13, 1858. The first home of the parish was a former Congregationalist church on North Main Street — used for 65 years. The parish outgrew it, and the current French Gothic church on East State Street was built in 1922–23.
Founding & Early Years (1858)
Bishop of Albany created the parish in early 1858. Cemetery land on School Street was acquired April 13, 1858. The oldest tombstone there belongs to John Conley (d. April 6, 1858); the first burial after the purchase was Julia Donohue (d. May 16, 1858). The Catholics purchased the Congregationalist church on North Main Street, which the Congregationalists had originally moved from a site on Foot Hill.
Building the Current Church (1910–1923)
A fire on January 1, 1910 severely damaged the old church. Fr. Higgins, arriving after the fire, believed it was too small and began raising funds to build a new one. The cornerstone was laid on July 9, 1922, with Msgr. Hayes (Vicar General) officiating for an ailing Bishop Grimes; the Knights of Columbus of Norwich, the G.A.R., the American Legion and the Sherburne Masonic Lodge were all represented. The new church was dedicated on June 17, 1923 by Bishop Daniel Curley of Syracuse — described as the largest public crowd ever assembled in Sherburne — with a 60-voice male choir from St. Mary's, Binghamton.
The 1942 Fire & Restoration
On the morning of December 16, 1942 the church was discovered burning before 6 AM. Fr. Kissane rushed in and saved the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle. Parts of the marble altar fell into the basement as the floor gave way; the roof burned through the entire length of the church. The stained glass windows survived because someone opened their vent windows, venting heat and smoke. Mass was held in the school auditorium for the three months of repair. H.C. O'Connell Construction of Earlville re-roofed the building; architect Paul Huber and Rambusch Decorating of New York directed other work. Mass resumed on Sunday, March 21, 1943.
The Building — Architecture & Furnishings
The current St. Malachy's Church is French Gothic in style, distinguished by two spires rather than the typical one, and was originally designed to seat 300. Furnishings include Carrara marble altars, altar rails and statues (purchased for $10,000 and dedicated August 24, 1924) and a pipe organ built by the Beman Organ Company of Binghamton, restored in the early 1990s through parishioner sponsorship (a plaque in the vestibule lists the contributors). The original stained glass windows, which survived the 1942 fire, are still in place.
Accessibility & Accommodations
The church is fully accessible, with an elevator located near the handicap parking area in the main lot behind the church. Additional parking is available across the street. A Hearing Loop is available at all Masses; the Sunday 8:30 am Mass is signed for the hearing impaired. Low-gluten hosts (0.0...) are available — notify the parish office of your need when attending.
Parish Staff & Leadership
Parish life is supported by a small staff and a group of dedicated lay leaders.
- Pastor / Parish Administrator: Rev. Daniel M. Caughey
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Tony Mathew
- Parish Business Administrator / Secretary: Amy Donofrio
- Parish Trustees: Kevin Jenny and Stephen Dunshee
- Chairman of Finance Committee: Jared Randall
- Administrator of Cemetery: William Davidson
- Grounds: Jay McDaniel
- Maintenance: Thomas Roberts
- Faith Formation: Rosemarie Tenney
Faith Formation
The parish runs a Faith Formation program under the direction of Rosemarie Tenney, who is also the parish historian. Sessions are typically held on Tuesdays, with additional times noted in the bulletin. Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage) is arranged through the parish office by meeting with Fr. Dan.
- Faith Formation & OC classes — Tuesday evenings
- Faith Formation & OC — Saturday sessions
Homebound Ministry — Eucharistic Ministers
St. Malachy's Eucharistic Minister Team keeps a weekly schedule of bringing Holy Communion to parishioners who cannot attend Mass. Ministers read the scripture, pray and offer Holy Communion. Parishioners with an elderly family member or neighbor who is no longer able to get to Mass are invited to call the parish office at 607-674-9625 to register them for visits.
Sacraments
Arrangements for Baptism, Marriage, and other sacraments begin with a call to the parish office; for Marriage, Fr. Dan asks that families please call the office to set up a meeting.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- Marriage — contact parish office to meet with Fr. Dan
- Reconciliation — Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons
- Eucharist — including home visits via the Eucharistic Minister Team
- Pastoral care for the sick and homebound — contact the office
Cemetery
St. Malachy's Cemetery is located north of the church on School Street. It was the very first property the new parish purchased, on April 13, 1858. The cemetery is administered on behalf of the parish by William Davidson.
Supporting the Parish
Parishioners and friends are invited to support the parish through online giving or by remembering St. Malachy's in their will. For bequests, the parish asks that the church's full legal name and address be used: St. Malachy's Catholic Church, PO Box 722, 31 East State Street, Sherburne, NY 13460-0722.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Higginsafter Jan 1, 1910 fire
Came to Sherburne after the 1910 fire; began raising funds to build a larger church over the next twelve years.
- Fr. Doolingthrough ~1924
Last improvements before transfer to Utica included new Carrara marble altars, rails and statues dedicated August 24, 1924.
- Fr. Raymond Lawrencearrived March 1925
Inherited a debt of $17,000 which he diligently worked to reduce; gifted the crucifix over the altar.
- Fr. Kissane1942
Rushed into the burning church the morning of December 16, 1942 and saved the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle.
- Fr. Borettountil end of January 2021
Returned to Poland; Bishop Lucia sent a replacement.
- Fr. Matthew LyonsFebruary 1, 2021 – ~2022
Sent by Bishop Lucia as temporary administrator after Fr. Boretto's departure.
- Rev. Daniel M. CaugheyJuly 2022 – present
Welcomed as Parish Administrator in July 2022; appointed Pastor effective July 1, 2023; appointed Vicar Forane for Vicariate 6 effective February 22, 2024 (also pastor of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus, New Berlin).