About St. Margaret · Mattydale, New York
St. Margaret's Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the hamlet of Mattydale, just north of Syracuse, New York, in the Diocese of Syracuse. Founded on July 1, 1926 by Rev. George Oley — who named the parish for his own mother, Margaret Rose — it has served the Mattydale community for nearly a century. Today the parish worships in a modern 1993 church building (which preserved stained glass from the original 1920s structure) and gathers for weekend Masses in the main church and daily Mass in Hannon Chapel, with a robust Faith Formation program, an active Music Ministry, and the parish-run St. Margaret's Food Pantry feeding neighbors in need.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- St. Margaret (named for the founding pastor's mother, Margaret Rose)
- Rector
- Fr. Joseph Zareski (Fr. Joe)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Margaret's is a welcoming, multigenerational parish where the Eucharist is the heart of community life but ministry is the body that makes it real. Parishioners can pray and serve through daily Mass in Hannon Chapel, the parish Food Pantry, an intergenerational Music Ministry choir, Altar Rosary Society, Men's Group, Youth Ministry, Liturgical Committee, and a wide range of liturgical roles (Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, Greeter, Usher, Altar Server). It is also a parish rooted deeply in Mattydale's history, soon to celebrate 100 years of faith and family — a place where visitors and newcomers are greeted warmly and invited to grow in the love and service of God and one another.
Mass times at St. Margaret
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:00 PM
- Or by appointment (call the Parish Office)
History of St. Margaret's Parish
St. Margaret's was organized on July 1, 1926 by founding pastor Rev. George Oley, on land once part of the John Kirsch farm and donated by Mr. Kirsch for both a church and a priests' residence. The first Catholic worship in Mattydale had been conducted in the local school alongside Protestant services, and Catholic bazaars were held in Mr. Matty's Hall behind his home. The parish's first church — the beloved 'Little Church' — was formally dedicated on June 12, 1929. The current church was built 1992–1993 and dedicated December 12, 1993; the parish is now approaching its centennial, with a 100th Anniversary Celebration planned for August 2026.
- Founded July 1, 1926 by Rev. George Oley
- Named for Father Oley's mother, Margaret Rose
- Original 'Little Church' dedicated June 12, 1929
- Present church dedicated December 12, 1993
- 100th Anniversary Celebration planned (August 2026)
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Margaret's is led by Fr. Joseph Zareski (Fr. Joe), who was ordained at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse on October 25, 1980 after attending Orchard Lake Seminary in Michigan. Fr. Joe is known for his passion for Scripture and is available for appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He is assisted by Permanent Deacon David Losito (also serving as Pastoral Associate for Administration), Parish Secretary Patti Phillips, Faith Formation coordinator Sheila Stone, Music Ministry director Aimee deBerjeois, and Donna Skrocki, who directs the Human Development / Food Pantry ministry.
- Fr. Joseph Zareski — Pastor
- Deacon David Losito — Permanent Deacon, Pastoral Associate for Administration
- Patti Phillips — Parish Secretary
- Sheila Stone — Faith Formation
- Aimee deBerjeois — Music Ministry
- Donna Skrocki — Human Development / Food Pantry
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the Sunday and weekday liturgies in many roles. Several liturgical ministries require the Safe Environment Course required by the Diocese of Syracuse.
- Lectors — proclaim the Scriptures at Mass and other services
- Eucharistic Ministers of Communion — serve at Mass and bring Communion to the sick and homebound
- Sacristans — prepare and clean the altar
- Greeters — welcome parishioners as they enter Church
- Ushers — assist seating and take up the collection
- Altar Servers — Grade 3 through High School, plus adult servers
- Liturgical Committee — plans liturgies and decorates for special feasts
Music Ministry (St. Margaret's Choir)
St. Margaret's Music Ministry is a multigenerational community of singers, instrumentalists, and cantors. The choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 PM–8:00 PM in the Church, and anyone interested is invited to contact the choir director.
- Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings, 6:30–8:00 PM in the Church
- Open to singers, instrumentalists, and cantors
- Contact the parish office (315-455-5534) to get involved
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is presented by the parish as a vital element of Catholic life for all ages — children, youth, and adults — so that a deeper understanding of the faith can lead to a more intimate relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sheila Stone coordinates the parish's Faith Formation program.
- Faith Formation for children and families
- Opportunities for adult faith growth
- Contact: Sheila Stone, Faith Formation — (315) 455-5534
Parish Organizations & Fellowship
Beyond liturgical service, the parish offers several organizations that build community, support the sanctuary, and foster spiritual growth among men and women of the parish.
- Men's Group — fellowship, prayer, and spiritual study
- Altar Rosary Society — all women welcome; adorns the sanctuary and promotes devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary; meets 3rd week of the month, September–May
- Hospitality Committee — coordinates social activities and gatherings
- Parish Council — nominated advisory body to the Pastor
- Planning & Fundraising Committee — coordinates fundraising for the parish mission
Outreach: St. Margaret's Food Pantry
St. Margaret's operates an on-site food pantry as part of its Human Development ministry. The pantry partners with the Food Bank of Central New York and offers two personal-needs items per visit. It is open to walk-ins Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM.
- St. Margaret's Food Pantry — 203 Roxboro Road, Mattydale, NY 13211
- Pantry phone: (315) 454-4515
- Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Contact: Donna Skrocki, Human Development — [email protected]
- Partner: Food Bank of Central New York
Visiting St. Margaret's
St. Margaret's is located on Roxboro Road in Mattydale, a hamlet in the Town of Salina just north of Syracuse, New York. The parish welcomes visitors and encourages newcomers to stop by, attend Mass, and explore the parish's many ministries. The parish is currently preparing for its 100th Anniversary Celebration, with more details to be posted on the parish website.
- Address: 200 Roxboro Road, Mattydale, NY 13211
- Phone: (315) 455-5534
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stmargchurchmattydale.org
- Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George Oley1926–
Founding pastor; organized the parish July 1, 1926 and named it for his mother, Margaret Rose.
- Father McNeill1948–1974
Fourth pastor; broke ground for the parish school in 1954, added classrooms in 1957, and completed the auditorium/gymnasium in 1959.