About St. Mary on Broadway · Providence, Rhode Island
St. Mary's on Broadway is a Traditional Latin Mass parish in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, located at 538 Broadway in Providence's West End. Founded in 1853 to serve Irish and German immigrants working in the textile mills of Olneyville, the parish worships today in a striking Gothic Revival church of Westerly granite, completed in 1869. Since 2018 the parish has been entrusted to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), offering all Masses and sacraments according to the liturgical books of 1962 in keeping with Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Jonathan Romanoski, FSSP
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Mary's offers the full life of a traditional Catholic parish in a setting of striking historical beauty: the Traditional Latin Mass according to the 1962 liturgical books, daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, the full Divine Office sung in church, and an unusually rich calendar of confraternities and sodalities for men, women, young adults, and children. Catechism, sacramental preparation, and devotions such as First Saturday are offered alongside a broad range of parish groups — from the Legion of Mary and Holy Name Society to Little Flowers, the Rosa Mystica Girls' Society, and a Young Adults' Group — making it a true spiritual home for traditional Catholics across Rhode Island and southern New England.
Mass times at St. Mary on Broadway
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Saturday: 30 minutes before each Mass
- Sunday: 7:30–8:30 AM, 10:00–10:30 AM, and during the 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM Masses
- Friday: 7:00–8:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (with Confessions)
About St. Mary's on Broadway
St. Mary's on Broadway is the Traditional Latin Mass parish of the Diocese of Providence, served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). One of Rhode Island's most historic parishes — erected in 1853 — it is housed in a Gothic Revival granite church completed in 1869 and consecrated in 1901. All Masses and sacraments are offered according to the liturgical books of 1962, in keeping with the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum of Pope Benedict XVI.
- Diocese of Providence
- FSSP Apostolate since 2018
- Erected 1853; current church completed 1869; consecrated June 7, 1901
- All sacraments in the 1962 liturgical books
Parish History
St. Mary's was founded in 1853 to minister to Irish and German immigrants working in the textile mills of Providence's west end and Olneyville. Facing nativist prejudice, the parish's lot reportedly had to be acquired through an intermediary. By the end of the Civil War, about a third of Providence's residents were Irish-born, and the original church was soon outgrown.
Building the Granite Church (1864–1869)
In 1864, work began on the present stone church, designed by Irish-born architect James Murphy and built of granite from the Westerly, Rhode Island quarries. Parishioners — many of them millworkers — donated their labor after long factory shifts, digging foundations and cutting stone. Bishop Francis McFarland dedicated the finished church on July 11, 1869; it was solemnly consecrated on June 7, 1901.
- Architect: James Murphy (1834–1907), Irish-born former partner of Patrick C. Keely
- Construction began 1864; dedicated July 11, 1869; consecrated June 7, 1901
- Westerly granite construction
FSSP Era (2018–present)
In 2018, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence entrusted St. Mary's to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, creating a Traditional Latin Mass parish for Rhode Island and the surrounding region. The first FSSP Mass was offered on August 21, 2018. Fr. John Berg, FSSP, the former Superior General of the Fraternity, was the first pastor. On July 11, 2019, the parish marked the 150th anniversary of the church's dedication with a Solemn High Mass, refreshments, and live Irish music.
- FSSP arrival: August 21, 2018 (feast of St. Jane Frances de Chantal)
- 150th anniversary of the church: July 11, 2019
- First FSSP pastor: Fr. John Berg, FSSP
Architecture & Interior
St. Mary's is a forceful, vigorous example of Gothic Revival, sited prominently at the top of the hill descending into Olneyville. The powerful corner tower is balanced by a small spired rear turret, and the interior features a handsome ensemble of stained glass by the Tiroler Glassmalerei of Innsbruck, Austria, lining the nave walls. The Gothic rib-vaulted ceiling is one of the church's signature interior features.
- Gothic Revival style
- Westerly granite construction
- Stained glass by Tiroler Glassmalerei, Innsbruck
- Gothic rib-vaulted ceiling
Clergy & Staff
St. Mary's is served by priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, with support from a small lay staff handling music, sacristy, and finances.
- Rev. Jonathan Romanoski, FSSP — Pastor (401-430-0500, [email protected]); arrived November 26, 2021
- Rev. Gerard Quirke, FSSP — Parochial Vicar (401-829-8953, [email protected])
- Claire Gruneberg — Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Rachel Beberwyck — Choir Director ([email protected])
- James Forte — Head Sacristan ([email protected])
Parish Groups & Societies
St. Mary's supports a remarkably full parochial life, with sodalities, confraternities, and formation groups for men, women, young adults, and children of all ages. Whether one is a lifelong Catholic or new to the faith, there is a group to fit.
Men's Groups
Two traditional men's societies anchor men's formation and fellowship at St. Mary's.
- Holy Name Society — men's group, meets Thursday evenings
- Catholic Young Men's Society — for young men ages 13–20, meets periodically
Women's Groups
Two sodalities serve women and young ladies of the parish in the traditional Catholic mold.
- Sodality of Mary, Mother of Mercy — women's group, 2nd Thursday at 7:00 PM
- Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary — for young ladies ages 14–20, 1st Saturday at 10:00 AM
Children & Youth Formation
St. Mary's provides a thorough classical Catholic formation for its youngest parishioners, with groups for girls from age 5 through young womanhood, and an acolyte guild for boys interested in serving at the altar.
- Little Flowers — young ladies ages 5–8 (1st Saturday 10:00 AM)
- Rosa Mystica Girls' Society — young ladies ages 9–13 (1st Saturday 10:00 AM)
- St. Stephen's Acolyte Guild (1st Saturday 10:00 AM)
- North American Explorers — Catholic scouting for boys and girls (3rd Saturday)
Other Groups & Activities
Beyond the formal sodalities, St. Mary's hosts a range of community, intellectual, and devotional groups.
- Legion of Mary — evangelization and sanctification; meets every Saturday 7:15 AM
- Young Adults' Group — ages 18–35; 1st & 4th Wednesday 7:00 PM
- Cor ad Cor Book Group — adults 21+; meets every other week
- St. Mary's Choir — contact the Choir Director for practice times/auditions
- Parish outings (e.g., baseball games, Corpus Christi picnic) announced in the bulletin
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
St. Mary's welcomes those interested in the Catholic faith. Those curious about becoming Catholic are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the pastor or call the parish office. Catechism and sacramental preparation for parishioners are offered as part of the parish's full parochial life.
- Inquiries: 401-274-3434 or [email protected]
- RCIA / catechumenate available for those seeking to enter the Church
Live Streaming & Online Presence
St. Mary's live streams its Masses and devotions on its YouTube channel so that the faithful who cannot attend in person may pray along at a distance. The parish notes that watching Mass online does not fulfill the Sunday and holy day obligation to attend Mass in person.
- Live Mass and devotions on the parish YouTube channel
- Weekly bulletin published online at stmaryonbroadway.org/bulletins
Visiting & Contact
St. Mary's is located at 538 Broadway on Providence's West Side, at the top of the hill descending toward Olneyville, and is convenient to the junction of US Route 6, Route 10, and I-95. The parish office can be reached by phone or email for Mass intentions, registration, sacramental inquiries, or to become a parishioner.
- Address: 538 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
- Phone: (401) 274-3434
- Email: [email protected]
- Convenient to US 6, Route 10, and I-95
- Confessionals located in the rear of the church on the left and right
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Berg, FSSP2018–2021
First FSSP pastor of St. Mary's; former Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Led the parish through its transition to the Traditional Latin Mass and its 150th anniversary celebration in 2019.
- Fr. Jonathan Romanoski, FSSP2021–present
Ordained for the FSSP in 2008; previously helped establish the FSSP's first apostolate in Mexico (Guadalajara) and served as pastor of the FSSP apostolate in Naples, Florida (Diocese of Venice). Arrived at St. Mary's on November 26, 2021.