About St. Mary of the Lake · Skaneateles, New York
St. Mary's of the Lake is a Roman Catholic parish in the village of Skaneateles, New York, serving approximately 1,200 families from Skaneateles, Skaneateles Falls, and the surrounding Finger Lakes region. A parish of the Diocese of Syracuse, it is currently led by Rev. Brian E. Lang and offers weekend and daily Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, a robust Faith Formation program serving 250+ students, and a wide network of liturgical, social, and outreach ministries. The parish worships in its third and present church — an English Country Gothic–style building dedicated on Memorial Day 1927 — and maintains the historic St. Mary's Cemetery established in 1869.
- Established
- 1855
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title 'Our Lady of the Lake,' informally 'St. Mary of the Lake')
- Rector
- Rev. Brian E. Lang
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Mary's of the Lake is a close-knit parish family of roughly 1,200 households rooted in faith and serving Skaneateles, Skaneateles Falls, and the surrounding Finger Lakes community. Daily and weekend Masses — including a livestreamed 10:15 AM Sunday Mass — are complemented by weekly Confession, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary after daily Mass, and a Miraculous Medal Novena. With more than 250 children and teens in active Faith Formation, active liturgical ministries (lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers), Knights of Columbus partnership, a robust Human Development Committee reaching out to local food pantries and the homeless, and a 175-year history culminating in a 2026 Jubilee Mass with the bishop, there are many ways to belong, serve, and grow here.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Lake
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30–4:00 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Second Wednesday of each month: 7:00–8:00 PM
- Fourth Wednesday of each month: 7:00–8:00 PM
History of St. Mary's of the Lake
St. Mary's of the Lake traces its origins to 1849, when Rev. Michael Hess celebrated the first recorded Catholic Mass in Skaneateles in the home of Patrick McCormick. From that small gathering, the parish grew through three successive churches (1855, 1867, 1927) — the first two lost to fire — into a Finger Lakes parish of approximately 1,200 families.
The First Church (1855)
Father William McCallion purchased land from Charles and Elizabeth Pardee in 1852. The first wooden St. Mary's Church was dedicated on September 7, 1856, by Bishop John McCloskey of Albany; parishioners contributed labor and materials, holding the cost to $2,500. The structure was destroyed by fire on August 26, 1866.
The Second Church (1867)
Rev. Francis J. Purcell, the first resident pastor of Skaneateles (1867), oversaw construction of a new brick church dedicated June 30, 1867, at a cost of $12,000. He also established St. Mary's Cemetery on Jordan Road in 1868 and founded St. Bridget's Mission Church in Skaneateles Falls in 1874.
The Third (and Present) Church (1927)
After the second church was lost to fire in February 1926 under Rev. D. Francis Curtin, Masses were temporarily held at the Huxford Theatre. The present English Country Gothic church was dedicated on Memorial Day 1927, featuring a richly crafted oak ceiling, truss work, and stained glass windows from F. Mayer Studios of Munich and New York.
Growth and Renewal (20th Century)
Rev. Marshall A. McMahon served 1937–1962; Rev. Robert J. Casey guided the parish through Vatican II and built the Parish Center. Deacon James Chappell joined the staff in 1977 and was ordained in 1981. Rev. John Ziegler (appointed 1981) oversaw liturgical renovations including a new Reconciliation Room and sanctuary redesign, and entered the parish into a twinning relationship with St. Anthony of Padua in Syracuse.
Pastoral Staff
St. Mary's is served by Pastor Rev. Brian E. Lang and Deacon Kenneth N. Money (Deacon/Pastoral Associate), supported by a Faith Formation director, parish business administrator, music staff, reception and cemetery staff, and a maintenance team.
- Rev. Brian E. Lang — Pastor
- Deacon Kenneth N. Money — Deacon/Pastoral Associate ([email protected])
- Victoria Wejko — Director of Faith Formation & Catechesis
- [Parish Business Administrator]
- Grace Gist — Cantor
- Rebecca Kyle — Organist
- Gretchen Haynes — Receptionist & Faith Formation Admin Assistant & Cemetery Superintendent
- Anna Egert — Supervisor of Maintenance and Cemetery Sexton
- [Maintenance Assistant]
- [Maintenance & Cemetery Field Assistant]
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Faith Formation office (Director Victoria Wejko) partners with parents to walk alongside children and teens on a lifelong journey of faith. Programs run September through June and include in-person classes twice a month, a monthly Family-Based option (last Sunday, 5:30–7:00 PM with potluck), self-paced monthly 'Playlists,' summer Vacation Bible School, and sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation (two-year diocesan program beginning in 8th grade). Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at the 10:15 AM Sunday Mass (Sept–May) for ages 4–7. Contact: [email protected].
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (including bringing Communion to the sick and homebound), Altar Servers (open to boys and girls who have received First Eucharist), Ushers, Choir members, and Adoration volunteers. The parish currently welcomes new volunteers in all liturgical roles.
Human Development Committee and Outreach
The Human Development Committee coordinates parish outreach, partnering with Skaneateles Outreach to help neighbors with utilities, home appliances, and emergency needs, and supporting a wide range of local and regional ministries including the Campaign Against Hunger, Food Bank of Central New York, Samaritan Center, In My Father's Kitchen, A Tiny Home for Good, Birthright of Syracuse, Catholic Charities, and others. The Sandwich Ministry provides sandwiches for the Assumption Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen and the Samaritan Center. The committee meets the first Monday of each month at 9:00 AM in the Parish Center.
Parish Organizations and Community Partnerships
St. Mary's partners with the Skaneateles Ecumenical Food Pantry (820 W. Genesee Street), collaborates with local clergy through the Skaneateles Clergy Association, and is supported by the Knights of Columbus Council #207 (47 Market Street, Auburn). These partnerships expand the parish's reach in prayer and service across the wider Skaneateles community.
St. Mary's Cemetery
Since 1869, St. Mary's Cemetery has been the sacred resting place of the parish faithful. On October 16, 1869, John and Ann Rossiter conveyed approximately 11 acres north of the village to Bishop John J. Conroy of Albany; the land was blessed October 31, 1869, and the first burial took place that November. The limestone cemetery vault was constructed in autumn 1925 by parishioners (notably stone mason Henry McLaughlin, who used his Model T Ford and a block-and-tackle to raise the massive stones), and the cemetery has been expanded several times — in 1897 (west to Railroad/Fennell Street) and again in 1927 (4½ acres north of the original tract).
175th Anniversary Celebration
On September 13, 2026, St. Mary's will joyfully mark 175 years of faith, community, and tradition with a Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Lucia at 10:15 AM, followed by a parish gathering. Highlights include a cemetery commemoration, historical reflections and displays, music, food, and family activities — all under the theme 'Honoring Our Past… Celebrating Our Present… Building Our Future in Faith.'
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at the rectory/parish office at 10 West Austin Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Friday 8:30 AM to 12 noon, and Sundays after the 10:15 AM Mass until 12 noon. The main phone line is (315) 685-5083, with general inquiries to [email protected] and Faith Formation inquiries to [email protected].
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Hess1849
Celebrated the first recorded Catholic Mass in Skaneateles in the home of Patrick McCormick
- Rev. William McCallion1852–1855+
Celebrated Mass every fourth Sunday at the home of Mayor John McGinnis; purchased land for the first church
- Rev. Francis J. Purcell1867–
First resident pastor of Skaneateles; rebuilt after fire, established St. Mary's Cemetery (1868) and St. Bridget's Mission Church (1874)
- Rev. D. Francis Curtin1926
Lost the second church to fire in February 1926
- Rev. Marshall A. McMahon1937–1962
Long-tenured pastor
- Rev. Robert J. Caseypost-1962
Guided the parish through Vatican II era; oversaw construction of the Parish Center
- Rev. John Ziegler1981–
New Reconciliation Room, sanctuary redesign per Vatican II; twinning with St. Anthony of Padua, Syracuse
- Rev. John Morse1986–1989
Emphasized youth and outreach ministries
- Rev. Raymond Wood1990–1995
Expanded classroom space, renovated Marian Hall, oversaw cemetery expansion
- Rev. Thomas J. McGrath1995–2010
Major renewal; Holy Family Pastoral Center dedicated by Bishop James Moynihan in 2004
- Rev. Darr Schoenhofen2010–2012
- Rev. Thomas J. McGrath (Administrator)2012–2017
Returned as Administrator
- Rev. Richard Dunn2017–2023
Guided parish through COVID-19 (church closed 11 weeks); introduced live-streamed Mass on YouTube
- Rev. Brian E. Lang2023–present
Current pastor