About St. Mary of the Assumption · Waterford, New York
St. Mary of the Assumption is a Catholic parish in the village of Waterford, New York (Saratoga County), belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. Historically served since 1858 by the Order of St. Augustine (Augustinian Friars, O.S.A.), it describes itself as a Eucharistic-centered community with a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and a strong commitment to Catholic education through its parish school and faith formation program. The parish worships from a present-day English Gothic church (blessed in 1913 and lovingly nicknamed the "little cathedral of the North"), and remains an active community with daily Mass, a livestreamed Sunday Mass, an on-site school, a parish cemetery, and a wide range of ministries.
- Established
- 1843
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title of the Assumption)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a tightly-knit, Eucharistic-centered parish grounded in nearly two centuries of Augustinian tradition in Waterford. Families will find an active parish school (St. Mary's Catholic School), a Faith Formation program for grades 1–10, daily and Sunday Masses, a livestreamed 8 AM Sunday Mass, regular Reconciliation, First Saturday Devotions, daily Rosary, and Stations of the Cross during Lent. The community supplements worship with a cemetery, an annual L. Scott Cuomo Memorial Golf Tournament benefitting the school, and a wide array of lay ministries, offering a real place to grow in faith and serve neighbors.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM (before the Vigil Mass)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Church is open daily for private prayer Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Welcome & Mission
St. Mary of the Assumption describes itself as 'a Eucharistic-Centered community who bear witness to our faith by the celebration of the sacraments, by our ministries and by our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.' Through its many ministries the parish offers praise to God and, through Christian service, support and comfort to those in need. The parish strongly supports Catholic education through its parochial school and faith formation program, and asks its members to grow as good stewards of their time, talents and resources. A copy of the full Mission Statement is published on the parish website.
- Eucharistic-centered worship
- Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Strong commitment to Catholic education
- Stewardship of time, talent, and resources
Parish History
Catholic life in Waterford began in 1843 when Rev. William P. Hogan celebrated the first Mass in the Town Hall. The original St. Mary's Church was built in 1848 on the same site and still serves today as the parish hall. In 1858 the Augustinian Order (O.S.A.) was invited by Bishop John McCloskey to take over the parish. The present English Gothic church was approved in 1911 and blessed by Bishop Burke on November 23, 1913, under Rev. Alfred H. Valiquette, O.S.A.; it became locally known as the 'little cathedral of the North.' A full interior and roof renovation was completed in 2013 in time for the church's 100th anniversary, funded by a 2011–2014 Capital Campaign.
- First Mass in Waterford: 1843
- First church built: 1848 (now the parish hall)
- Augustinian friars assume the parish: 1858
- Present church blessed: November 23, 1913
- Interior / roof renovation completed: 2013 (centennial)
Parish Staff & Governance
Day-to-day parish operations are run by a small staff based in the rectory and parish office. The current Sacramental Minister is Fr. Timothy Ennis, O.Carm. (the parish transitioned from Augustinian priest-pastors to diocesan/Carmelite sacramental ministry after 2024). Mary Rushkoski serves as Pastoral Associate for Parish Administration and Cemetery Coordinator; Lee Ann Hamilton is the Director of Faith Formation; Jim Charles is the Organist; Tracy Basila is the Bookkeeper; and Ken Perrier is the Sacristan-Sexton. Lay trustees named in recent bulletins are Joe Senecal and Gerry Brendese. St. Mary's School is led by Principal Mr. Matthew P. Murphy.
- Fr. Timothy Ennis, O.Carm — Sacramental Minister
- Mary Rushkoski — Pastoral Associate for Administration / Cemetery Coordinator (ext. 20)
- Lee Ann Hamilton — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 23)
- Jim Charles — Organist
- Tracy Basila — Bookkeeper (ext. 24)
- Ken Perrier — Sacristan-Sexton
- Trustees: Joe Senecal and Gerry Brendese
- School Principal: Matthew P. Murphy
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond Mass and Reconciliation, the church is open Monday–Friday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for private prayer. The Rosary is recited every weekday morning at 7:30 AM, and First Saturday Devotions are held at 7:30 AM. During Lent, Stations of the Cross are prayed on Friday evenings at 7:00 PM. The parish livestream brings the Sunday 8:00 AM Mass (and Saturday Vigil) to the homebound.
- Rosary — Mon–Fri 7:30 AM
- First Saturday Devotions — 7:30 AM
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays in Lent, 7:00 PM
- Private prayer — Mon–Fri 7:00–11:00 AM
- Livestream of Sunday 8:00 AM (or Saturday Vigil) Mass
Faith Formation
Faith Formation classes are offered for students in grades 1 through 10, beginning in September and concluding in May. Classes meet Sundays from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the parish school building. The curriculum moves through Salvation History, sacraments, scripture, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Nicene Creed, and Church history, with highlights such as the Grade 5 Nativity play and the Grade 8 Living Stations of the Cross performed during Lent. Mrs. Lee Ann Hamilton coordinates the program (518-237-3131 ext. 23).
- Grades 1–10 program
- Sunday morning classes, 9:00–10:00 AM, in the parish school
- Director: Lee Ann Hamilton
- Grade 5 Nativity play
- Grade 8 Living Stations of the Cross
St. Mary's Catholic School
St. Mary's School opened in 1953 under V. Rev. Francis A. Diehl, O.S.A., with 230 students in grades K–5 and was dedicated by Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons on November 1, 1953. Originally staffed by five Sisters of Mercy, the school graduated its first class in June 1957 and grew rapidly enough to require an addition in the early 1960s under Fr. Frederick I. Ryan, O.S.A. Today the school operates at 12 Sixth Street, Waterford (518-237-0652; smswaterford.org) under Principal Matthew P. Murphy, with Tracy Basila serving as bookkeeper. Annual fundraisers such as the L. Scott Cuomo Memorial Golf Tournament support its mission.
- Opened: Fall 1953
- Original enrollment: 230 students K–5
- First graduating class: June 1957
- Original staff: five Sisters of Mercy
- Address: 12 Sixth Street, Waterford, NY 12188
- Phone: 518-237-0652
- Website: smswaterford.org
Parish Cemetery
St. Mary's maintains an on-site parish cemetery. The Cemetery Office is open Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM, and a map of the cemetery with section numbers is available through the parish website. Mary Rushkoski serves as Cemetery Coordinator and can be reached at the rectory.
- Cemetery Office: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Coordinator: Mary Rushkoski (ext. 20)
- Section map available on the parish website
Ministries & Parish Life
The parish invites parishioners to participate in a wide range of ministries grouped around liturgy, faith formation, school support, outreach, and stewardship. The site emphasizes that 'the greatest resource of St. Mary's is its people.' Liturgical music is led by Organist Jim Charles; faith formation is coordinated through the parish office; the St. Vincent de Paul tradition of Christian service is reflected in the parish's broader outreach; and the school community is supported through events such as the annual St. Mary's School L. Scott Cuomo Memorial Golf Tournament.
- Liturgical music / choir (Jim Charles)
- Faith Formation volunteers
- Christian service and outreach
- School support and the Annual L. Scott Cuomo Memorial Golf Tournament
- Stewardship council
Sacraments
Information about sacramental preparation is published on the parish website. Baptisms and adult faith formation inquiries are coordinated through Debbie Webster, the parish's contact for Adult Education & Faith Formation. First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation flow through the Faith Formation program, and the parish has historically served as the sacramental home for many Waterford-area families. Reconciliation is offered every Saturday afternoon before Mass or by appointment.
- Baptism: contact Debbie Webster at the parish office (ext. listed on website)
- First Reconciliation / First Communion: via Faith Formation program
- Confirmation: via Faith Formation (grades 7–8 and high school)
- Marriage: contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick: by appointment
Visit & Contact
The parish is located in the village of Waterford at the corner of Broad and Sixth Streets, accessible from the surrounding communities of Troy, Cohoes, and Latham. Parish office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM; the office is closed on Fridays. Visitors are welcome to join in weekday prayer, the daily Rosary, weekend Mass, First Saturday Devotions, Lenten Stations, or simply the open hours for private prayer.
- Address: 119 Broad Street, Waterford, NY 12188
- Phone: (518) 237-3131
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM (closed Friday)
- Church open for private prayer: Mon–Fri 7:00–11:00 AM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William P. Hogan1843
Said the first Mass in Waterford (in the Town Hall)
- Rev. George Meagher, O.S.A.1858
First Augustinian pastor after the order assumed the parish
- Rev. Michael Collins, O.S.A.1862–1865
Added bell tower, basement, sacristy
- Rev. James Curran, O.S.A.1894
Repaired storm damage
- Rev. Alfred H. Valiquette, O.S.A.approx. 1911–1913
Built the present English Gothic church, blessed 1913
- Rev. Francis A. Diehl, O.S.A. (V. Rev.)1951
Built St. Mary's School (opened 1953)
- Rev. Frederick I. Ryan, O.S.A.1959
School addition, rectory, church renovations (early 1960s)
- Rev. John J. Coffey, O.S.A.1965
- Rev. Ralph V. Shuhler, O.S.A.1968
- Rev. John J. Vrana, O.S.A.1971
- Rev. Francis Melcher, O.S.A.1979
- Rev. Thomas J. Dillon, O.S.A.1983
- Rev. Joseph Keffer, O.S.A.1983
- Rev. Marshall J. Halphen, O.S.A.1994
- Rev. David J. Kelley, O.S.A.2002–2024
Last Augustinian pastor; longest-serving pastor (22 years); oversaw Capital Campaign and 2013 centennial renovations; passed away at the rectory 26 days after leaving office