About St. Mary · Newport, Rhode Island
Saint Mary, Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church is a historic Catholic parish in Newport, Rhode Island, and the oldest Roman Catholic congregation in the state, established on April 8, 1828. The parish is celebrated both for its 1849 Gothic Revival church designed by America's first Catholic church architect, Patrick C. Keely, and for hosting the 1953 wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and Senator John F. Kennedy. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, St. Mary's serves its Newport community with weekend and daily Masses, religious education, a parish choir, and a wide array of lay ministries, while offering weddings, baptisms, the RCIA, and pastoral care for the sick and homebound.
- Established
- 1828
- Patron
- Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle
- Rector
- Rev. Mark A. Sauriol
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Mary's welcomes new parishioners and visitors with the invitation to make it their spiritual home. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday at 5:15 p.m. and Sunday at 8:00 and 11:00 a.m., and weekday Masses continue the prayer life of the parish on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings. A robust schedule of ministries — lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, altar servers, the parish choir, the Ministry of Consolation, home visits to the homebound and those in nursing facilities, and the Respect Life Committee — offers many ways to serve. Faith formation for children in grades 1–8, a two-year Confirmation program, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) support parishioners at every stage of Catholic life.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday — immediately following the 7:30 a.m. Mass at St. Augustin's Church
Parish Identity & Welcome
Saint Mary, Our Lady of the Isle is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in Rhode Island, established April 8, 1828, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since March 6, 2008. The parish extends a warm welcome to newcomers and visitors, inviting them to meet the pastor after Mass or contact the parish office. Its identity rests on nearly two centuries of continuous worship in a National Historic Shrine, and on the simple invitation: come, make St. Mary's your spiritual home.
- Rhode Island's first Catholic parish (est. 1828)
- Patron: Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle
- Diocese of Providence
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (March 6, 2008)
History
St. Mary's grew out of the Catholic workers at Fort Adams, leading Bishop Benedict Joseph Fenwick to assign the newly ordained Father Robert Woodley to Newport. Father Woodley purchased land on Barney Street on April 8, 1828 — the first property held in the name of the Catholic Church in Rhode Island — and a chapel was consecrated that November. A larger wooden church dedicated to St. Joseph was built in 1833. As the congregation grew, Father James Fitton bought the Spring Street lot in 1847 and commissioned Patrick C. Keely, America's first Catholic church architect, to design the present Gothic Revival church; construction was engineered by Lt. William S. Rosecrans and the building was consecrated on June 14, 1849, under the patronage of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle.
- 1828 — Father Woodley founds the parish; Barney Street land purchased April 8
- 1833 — Larger wooden church dedicated to St. Joseph
- 1847 — Father Fitton purchases the Spring Street lot for $4,000
- 1848 — Construction begins August 7; first stone laid August 15
- 1849 — Bishop Bernard O'Reilly consecrates the church, June 14
- 1861–1865 — Serves as chapel for the U.S. Naval Academy during its Civil War relocation to Newport
- Late 1800s — Forty-two stained-glass windows installed by the Austrian Tyrolean Art Glass Company under Rev. Phillip Grace
- 1953 — Wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and Senator John F. Kennedy, September 12
- 1968 — Designated a National Historic Shrine, November 24
- 2008 — Added to the National Register of Historic Places, March 6
Architecture & National Register Status
The present St. Mary's Church is a brownstone Gothic Revival building designed by Patrick C. Keely of Brooklyn, with construction engineered by U.S. Army Lieutenant (later Major General) William S. Rosecrans. The parish complex includes the church, a parish house (the 1865 school, also designed by Keely), and a rectory. In the late 1800s the Austrian Tyrolean Art Glass Company fashioned the forty-two stained-glass windows that still fill the church with light. Subsequent architects — including Dudley Newton, Ambrose J. Murphy, John F. Hogan, and Milton R. Kenyon — contributed to additional buildings and 20th-century renovations, with the latter shaping post-Vatican II changes in 1967.
- Architect: Patrick C. Keely (Gothic Revival)
- Construction engineer: Lt. William S. Rosecrans
- 42 stained-glass windows by Austrian Tyrolean Art Glass Company
The Kennedy Connection
Perhaps the most famous wedding in St. Mary's long history took place on September 12, 1953, when Jacqueline Lee Bouvier married then-Senator John F. Kennedy. Archbishop Richard Cushing (later Cardinal Cushing) of Boston presided before more than 800 guests, and crowds of well-wishers filled the surrounding streets. Throughout the Kennedy presidency, when the First Family spent weekends in Newport they attended Sunday Mass at St. Mary's and always sat in pew #10. In 2017 the parish held a special series of tours and programs commemorating the wedding and raising funds to restore the choir gallery and historic organ.
- JFK–Jacqueline Bouvier wedding: September 12, 1953
- Officiant: Archbishop Richard Cushing of Boston
- The Kennedys' customary pew: #10
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Mark A. Sauriol as Pastor, supported by a small staff of lay and volunteer leaders who keep the parish office, music program, religious education, and grounds running day to day. Parishioners are encouraged to introduce themselves to Fr. Sauriol after Mass or contact the parish office to get involved.
- Pastor: Rev. Mark A. Sauriol
- Secretary: Jeanine Richardson — [email protected]
- Music Director & Wedding Coordinator: Kyle R. Medeiros — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education: Michelle (Michele) Pickering — [email protected]
- Maintenance & Grounds: Rick Wheeler
Parish Ministries
St. Mary's runs a broad ministry program that puts the laity at the heart of parish life. Volunteers serve at Mass, visit the sick, sing in the choir, support grieving families, defend life, and help govern the parish. Two parishes — the Ministry of Consolation and Home Visits — extend the parish's care beyond the church walls to the dying and the homebound. The Parish and Finance Councils advise and assist the pastor in the mission and stewardship of the parish.
- Ministry of Consolation
- Home Visits to the homebound and those in nursing facilities
- Eucharistic Ministry
- Altar Servers (youth and adult)
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Linens and Church Decoration
- Parish Choir (rehearses Thursday 6:30 p.m.)
- Respect Life Committee
- Parish Council
- Finance Council
Music Ministry & Parish Choir
The Parish Choir is a mixed group of men and women of all ages and backgrounds, including several professionally trained singers. It sings a wide repertoire — Gregorian Chant, Renaissance Motets, Victorian Anthems, and modern compositions — at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and at Holy Day Masses. Rehearsals are held Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the parish center. Anyone age 18 and older with a love of singing and the ability to make a serious commitment is welcome. Music Director and Wedding Coordinator Kyle R. Medeiros leads the program.
- Rehearsal: Thursday, 6:30 p.m., parish center
- Sings at 11 a.m. Sunday Mass and Holy Day Masses
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The Catholic Faith Formation program of St. Mary's Parish, inspired by the love of Jesus Christ, is committed to building a strong foundation of faith for the parish's children and youth. Faith development begins at home, with parents as the primary teachers and models; the parish program supports and deepens that work. Religious Education is offered during the academic year for students in grades 1 through 8, with Sacramental preparation for Solemn Penance and First Eucharist in 2nd grade and a two-year Confirmation program for 7th–8th or 8th–9th grade. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) welcomes adults seeking to become Catholic or to receive First Communion or Confirmation. Weekly Sunday Mass attendance is emphasized as the top priority for families.
- Religious Education for grades 1–8
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist: 2nd grade (begins in 1st)
- Confirmation: two-year program (7th–8th or 8th–9th grade)
- RCIA for adults
- Contact: Michelle (Michele) Pickering — (401) 846-6057 or (401) 846-4926 — [email protected]
Sacraments
St. Mary's prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven sacraments through its office, Religious Education program, and clergy. Baptisms are arranged through the parish office and the Director of Religious Education; First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are prepared through the Religious Education program; adults enter the Church through the RCIA. Pastoral care for the sick — including Anointing of the Sick, Holy Communion to the homebound or those in nursing facilities, and hospital visitation — is coordinated through the parish office. As of July 1, 2024, the parish no longer accepts requests for non-parishioner weddings.
- Baptism — contact Michelle Pickering at (401) 846-6057
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — 2nd-grade Sacramental program
- Confirmation — two-year program (7th–8th or 8th–9th)
- RCIA — for adults becoming Catholic or completing initiation
- Anointing of the Sick — notify parish office at serious illness, before major surgery, or at the onset of aging
- Homebound / Nursing Facility visits — notify parish office
- Marriage — appointment with Fr. Sauriol at least one year in advance
Sacrament of Marriage
Couples preparing for marriage at St. Mary's begin by scheduling an appointment with Fr. Sauriol after any of the weekend Masses; walk-ins are not accepted. A bride or groom must be a registered member in good standing of the parish for a minimum of one year and contribute to its support before arrangements can be made. Sacramental life — especially weekly Mass and frequent Confession — is strongly encouraged during the engagement period. Weddings are not scheduled on federal or state holidays (including July 4, VJ Day, Juneteenth, and New Year's Eve); Friday weddings are scheduled at 3:00 p.m. and Saturday weddings at 2:00 p.m. As of July 1, 2024, requests from non-parishioners are no longer accepted.
- At least one year of registered parish membership required
- Initial meeting with Fr. Sauriol after weekend Mass
- Wedding Coordinator: Kyle Medeiros — [email protected]
Contact & Donations
Parishioners and visitors may contact the parish office by phone or email, and donations may be made online through the parish website. Designated giving funds support Religious Education and Faith Formation (including classroom supplies and laptop computers for religious classes) and the Music Ministry, which the parish describes as essential to the full and active participation of the faithful called for by the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.
- Main office: (401) 847-0475
- Religious Education: (401) 846-6057 or (401) 846-4926
- Online donations available via stmarynewportri.org/How-to-Donate
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Robert Woodley1828–
Newly ordained priest assigned by Bishop Benedict Joseph Fenwick to found the congregation; purchased the original Barney Street property on April 8, 1828.
- Father James Fitton1847–
Purchased the Spring Street lot for $4,000 on February 2, 1847; oversaw the building campaign for the present church.
- Reverend Phillip Gracelate 1800s
Supervised the installation of the forty-two Austrian Tyrolean stained-glass windows.