About St. Mary · Clinton, New York
St. Mary's Parish is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the Village of Clinton, New York, in the Diocese of Syracuse. Founded in 1850 by Irish Catholic settlers drawn to the area by the iron mines, the Chenango Canal, and the knitting mills, it is one of the oldest Catholic communities in central New York. The parish currently serves about 800 families (approximately 3,000 members) in this college town near Hamilton College. After celebrating its 175th anniversary in November 2025, the parish is in a season of renewed stability under its current pastor, Father Daniel M. Caruso, who serves also as Sacramental Provider for nearby St. Patrick–St. Anthony in Chadwicks.
- Established
- 1850
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel M. Caruso
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a faithful, multigenerational Catholic community in the Village of Clinton, with about 800 families and roughly 3,000 members. The parish runs a robust Faith Formation program (Grades 1–9), the St. Mary's Clinton Preschool with before- and after-care, an active music ministry, a Parish Council, a Prayer Line, and outreach such as the annual Lenten canned-goods drive for the Country Pantry. Under its new pastor, Fr. Daniel Caruso, the parish is rebuilding stability after years of transition and actively working to bring young families back — a community where parishioners describe one another as 'kind, welcoming, hardworking, and faith-filled.'
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM (after the 5:30 PM Mass)
- By appointment
History of St. Mary's Parish
St. Mary's traces its roots to the mid-19th century, when Irish Catholic families drawn by Clinton's iron mines, the Chenango Canal, and the knitting mills began settling in the area. The first Masses in Clinton were offered in private homes by priest-assistants from St. John's in Utica — then the only Catholic church between Albany and Buffalo. In 1851 a building lot was purchased from Judge Othniel S. Williams for $125 on what is still the parish's site today, and a wooden church was completed in 1854 and dedicated by Bishop McCloskey of Albany. Under Frs. Peter and James O'Reilly, the parish grew, built its rectory in 1871, and constructed the present church, dedicated by Bishop Grimes of Syracuse on January 5, 1913. The parish celebrated its 175th anniversary in November 2025.
- 1850 — Rev. William C. Coghlan appointed first pastor (Nov. 12, 1850)
- 1851 — Building lot purchased from Judge Williams for $125
- 1854 — First wooden church completed and dedicated by Bishop McCloskey (Oct. 25, 1854)
- 1871 — Rectory built under Fr. Peter O'Reilly at a cost of $13,380.48
- 1892 — Fr. James O'Reilly arrives as pastor (serves until his death in 1915)
- 1909 — Old church torn down; Masonic Hall on Williams Street used temporarily
- 1910 — Cornerstone of present church laid June 12, 1910
- 1912 — Present church completed at a cost of $91,101.74
- 1913 — Present church dedicated January 5, 1913 by Bishop Grimes of Syracuse
- 2025 — Parish celebrates 175th anniversary on November 8, 2025
Other Devotions & Services
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish maintains a Prayer Line that parishioners can call to request prayers for themselves or loved ones. The parish also takes part in seasonal outreach, particularly during Lent.
- Prayer Line — call Margaret at 315-853-5280 or Pat at 315-853-5229
- Lenten canned-goods collection for the Country Pantry
Sacraments
St. Mary's prepares parishioners for the three sacraments of initiation and ongoing Christian life. Parents are asked to call the rectory to begin Baptism preparation; couples must meet with the pastor well in advance of a desired wedding date; and the sacrament of Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturday evenings and by appointment.
- Baptism — call the rectory (315-853-2935) to make arrangements; Baptismal preparation meetings are held with the Baptismal Team
- Marriage — schedule with the pastor at least 6 months in advance; wedding dates not taken by phone; one party (or their parents) must be a registered parishioner; pre-marriage instruction required
- Reconciliation — Saturday 6:30–7:00 PM or by appointment
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Mary's runs a parish-based Faith Formation program serving children in Grades 1 through 9, with weekly attendance at Mass treated as integral to catechesis. Each Lent, Faith Formation students take part in an outreach canned-goods drive for the Country Pantry, and the parish also supports a youth group called TGIF for middle- and high-schoolers. The program is housed at 5 Prospect Street — the parish's preschool building — with its own contact line for registration and information.
- Faith Formation, Grades 1–9
- TGIF youth group (Sunday evenings)
- Lenten Outreach — canned-goods collection for the Country Pantry
- Faith Formation office line: 315-853-7631
St. Mary's Clinton Preschool
Located at 5 Prospect Street in Clinton, St. Mary's Clinton Preschool is a parish-affiliated program serving 3- to 5-year-olds. Its mission is to promote a character-based academic environment while nurturing the gifts of each child. The preschool offers full- and half-day sessions, before- and after-care, and a 10% tuition discount for registered, active members of St. Mary's Parish. The program is licensed by New York State (OCFS) and most recently inspected in July 2025.
- Address: 5 Prospect Street, Clinton, NY 13323
- Phone: 315-853-6196
- Ages served: 3–5 years
- Full-day options (2, 3, 4, or 5 days) and half-day options (2, 3, or 5 days)
- Before care 7:30–8:45 AM; After care 2:45–5:30 PM
- 10% tuition discount for registered, active St. Mary's parishioners
- Director: Teresa A. Howard
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Mary's is led by a parish Director of Music/Organist who supports the sung liturgy at weekend and weekday Masses. Parishioners with a musical vocation are encouraged to become involved; inquiries can be made through the parish office.
- Director of Music/Organist (current staff member)
- Weekend and weekday liturgical music at all parish Masses
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by its pastor, with a parish business administrator overseeing operations and a Parish Council providing lay governance. Faith Formation, the preschool, music, and the rectory office are each led by their own directors. Current pastor Fr. Daniel M. Caruso, in addition to serving St. Mary's, is Sacramental Provider at nearby St. Patrick–St. Anthony in Chadwicks.
- Rev. Daniel M. Caruso — Pastor
- Rev. John P. Croghan — Pastor Emeritus (retired 2020 after ~20 years)
- Kim Lane — Parish Business Administrator
- Teresa A. Howard — Director, St. Mary's Clinton Preschool
Parish Council
St. Mary's Parish Council provides lay leadership and counsel to the pastor on the life and mission of the parish.
- Chair — Elizabeth Tantillo
- Vice Chair — Anna Berney
- Secretary — Carole Byrne
St. Mary's Cemetery
The parish maintains its own cemetery, with parish staff overseeing its care. Burial arrangements and lot inquiries are handled through the parish office.
- Parish cemetery under the supervision of the parish's superintendent/custodian
- Inquiries handled through the parish office (315-853-2935)
Outreach & Community Life
St. Mary's lives out the corporal works of mercy through a number of parish initiatives, most visibly its annual Lenten canned-goods collection for the Country Pantry (a local food pantry). The parish also supports a Prayer Line ministry and welcomes new parishioners, who are encouraged to introduce themselves after Mass and register with the parish office.
- Lenten canned-goods drive for the Country Pantry
- Prayer Line ministry
- Welcome & registration of new parishioners
Becoming a Parishioner
St. Mary's invites newcomers to introduce themselves after Mass and to register as active members of the parish community by calling the parish office. Registered members enjoy benefits such as a 10% tuition discount at the St. Mary's Clinton Preschool and are eligible to participate fully in parish life.
- Introduce yourself after Mass
- Call the rectory to register (315-853-2935)
- Registered parishioners receive a 10% preschool tuition discount
175th Anniversary
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, several hundred parishioners and friends of St. Mary's gathered for a special Mass and reception marking the parish's 175th anniversary, celebrating a community whose roots in Clinton go back to 1850. In his homily, Fr. Caruso emphasized that 'the church is not a building, but the people who worship,' and looked forward to greater collaboration with neighboring parishes in the years ahead.
- Anniversary Mass celebrated Saturday, November 8, 2025
- Fr. Daniel M. Caruso preached on parish as people, not building
- Parish looks toward future cooperation with neighboring parishes
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William C. Coghlan1850–
First appointed pastor; oversaw construction of the original wooden church (1852–1854).
- Rev. Peter O'Reillyserved 29 years (1870s–early 1890s)
Third pastor; enlarged the church and built the rectory in 1871 for $13,380.48.
- Rev. James O'Reilly1892–1915 (death)
Built and dedicated the present church in 1913. Combined service of the two O'Reillys: 52 years as pastors of St. Mary's.
- Rev. John P. Croghanc. 2000–2020
Retired in 2020 after about 20 years at St. Mary's.
- Rev. Daniel M. Caruso2024–present
Appointed Temporary Administrator October 2024; installed as pastor September 2025; formally appointed Pastor effective July 1, 2025. Also Sacramental Provider at St. Patrick–St. Anthony, Chadwicks.