About St. Mary Nativity · West Leyden, New York
St. Mary Nativity in West Leyden, New York, is a Catholic parish with a rich history dating back to 1925, when construction began and the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1926. The church was severely damaged by a gas explosion in 1971 but was rebuilt and reopened in 1972. It is part of the Parishes of Southern Lewis County, currently served by Father Daniel Chapin, assisted by Deacons James Chaufty and Michael Lieber. The parish offers weekly Masses, confession, and various ministries, with a strong emphasis on community and faith formation.
- Established
- 1925
- Rector
- Father Daniel Chapin
Why belong here
Join a parish with deep roots in faith and community, offering regular Masses, confession, and active ministries including food pantry, music, and outreach. The parish welcomes all, with services in English and a strong emphasis on spiritual growth and service to others.
Mass times at St. Mary Nativity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday - St. Martin's Rectory Chapel 9am
- Tuesday - St. Mary's 9am
- Wednesday - St. Martin's Rectory Chapel 9am
- Thursday - St. Mary's 9am
- Friday - St. Martin's Rectory Chapel 9am
About Our Churches
St. Mary's & St. Mary's Nativity: Construction of the original St. Mary's Church began in 1845 and was completed in 1847. The first resident Pastor was Father William Howard of Ohio. It was incorporated on April 28, 1874. Sadly, on May 11, 1879 St. Mary's was destroyed by fire. That year work was begun on a new at the present location. In 1887 this church was again destroyed by a fire. Construction of the current church was finished in 1889 and it was rededicated by Bishop Wahdams on August 14, 1890. The most recent damage to the church occurred at 7:58 am Sunday, April 25, 1993. The church was full for 8:00am Mass when lightening struck the steeple. No one was injured and Mass began after the local fire department checked for fire and repaired a hole in the roof. Funding to build St. Mary's Nativity Church began in 1925 and the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1926. Like St. Mary's in Constableville, St. Mary's Nativity has not gone without its incident. On April 17, 1971, just three hours after Mass concluded the church was decimated by a gas explosion. Miraculously, the Blessed Virgin stained glass window, which was above the alter was unharmed. Today, the window graces the entrance of the church. The rebuilt church was opened in 1972. The town's old "curfew bell", which, also was unharmed in the explosion sits atop the new churches "steeple."
Clergy & Staff
Father Dan Chapin, born in Malone, attended St. Joseph’s Academy, Brushton-Moira Central School before graduating from Wadhams Hall with a bachelor of arts in philosophy and St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester with a bachelor of divinity. He was ordained by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana on May 13, 1972, in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ogdensburg. After serving for a period of time as an assistant at the cathedral parish, Father Chapin spent 10 years serving in the Diocese of Ogdensburg’s Peruvian Apostolate, returning in 1986. He then served as a parochial vicar in the cathedral parish and later at Holy Family in Watertown. From 1987 to 1988, Father Chapin took a sabbatical to study at the Weston School of Theology. While on sabbatical, he worked as a chaplain intern at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Brighton, Mass., and then at Hotel Dieu and Kingston General Hospitals in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Upon his return to the diocese, he served as parochial vicar at Holy Family in Watertown and priest chaplain at Jefferson Community College in Watertown until being named pastor at St. Mary’s in Clayton and St. John the Evangelist in LaFargeville in 1989. In 2000, he was named pastor of St. James in Gouverneur with added responsibilities as pastor in Edwards in 2004. He became pastor at St. Stephen’s in Croghan in 2006 with additional responsibilities as pastor in Harrisville added in 2013. Father Chapin also served as part-time priest chaplain at Gouverneur Correctional Facility. He retired as pastor after serving in Croghan, beginning his time as a Maryknoll Associate. He returned to the diocese in 2022.
Parishes Today
Due to the lack of priests in the area all four Parishes are now under the direction of Father Daniel L Chapin, assisted by Deacon James Chaufty and Deacon Michael Lieber, Jr.. Each Parish has one Mass per weekend. Weekday Masses alternate between St. Mary's and St. Martins. There are additional Masses and Communion Services during Lent.