About St. Mary Our Lady of the Isle · Nantucket, Massachusetts
St. Mary, Our Lady of the Isle is the only Catholic parish on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, situated in the heart of Nantucket Town at 3 Federal Street. A part of the Diocese of Fall River, the parish was built in 1896–97 and serves a unique island community that includes year-round residents and a large seasonal summer population, with a special summer Mass schedule and a Siasconset (Sconset) Union Chapel Sunday Mass. The church welcomes worshippers year-round, with Mass celebrated in English and Spanish, and offers the full sacramental life of a Catholic parish including a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program.
- Established
- 1897
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Isle (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. John M. Murray
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
St. Mary's offers the warmth of a small island parish with the fullness of Catholic life: daily Mass year-round, English and Spanish weekend liturgies, and a fuller summer schedule that includes an additional Sconset Union Chapel Mass on Sundays. The parish runs faith formation for children and youth, an RCIA process for adults seeking initiation, a Knights of Columbus council, a St. Vincent de Paul outreach to those in need, and a music ministry with a 2001 Bigelow pipe organ — all under the historic doors that, as the parish notes, are open every day of the year as a shrine and refuge in the heart of Nantucket Town.
Mass times at St. Mary Our Lady of the Isle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM
- By appointment: call 508-228-0100
Parish History & Architecture
The Church of St. Mary, Our Lady of the Isle was built in 1896–97 and first used for Mass on August 8, 1897. The parish was founded to serve the Catholic community of Nantucket Island, and a century later it remains the only Catholic parish on the island. The building measures 44 feet wide by 82 feet long with a 14-foot two-story tower (no bell) and seats 350, including the choir. Its features include 1922 stained-glass memorial windows, a 1956 Italian-marble statue of Our Lady of the Isle sculpted by DePrato, and a Crucifixion statue whose cross was originally purchased by Fr. Griffin in 1916. Major renovations in 1997–2000 (~$2 million) and follow-on work under Fr. Paul Caron added the Cambridge Street accessible entrance, a 2001 Bigelow pipe organ, a 2003 cupola with Carrillons, a polished teak entry, and a Vatican II-oriented interior reconfiguration during Fr. Daniel Carey's tenure.
- First Mass: August 8, 1897
- Capacity: 350 (including choir)
- Stained-glass windows installed 1922
- Our Lady of the Isle statue: Italian marble, DePrato, donated 1956
- 1997–2000 renovation: ~$2 million
- Pipe organ installed 2001 (M.L. Bigelow Company, Utah)
- Cupola with Carrillons installed 2003
- Polished teak entrance doors installed 2000
Siasconset (Sconset) Union Chapel
During the summer season (July through Labor Day), St. Mary's celebrates an additional Sunday Mass at the historic Siasconset (Sconset) Union Chapel at 8:45 AM, serving the east-end of the island.
- Sunday 8:45 AM, July through Labor Day
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
The parish runs a Religious Education (Faith Formation) program for children, and a Junior Youth Group for older kids. The Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry is Cecilia Gutierrez (508-228-4852, [email protected]).
- Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry: Cecilia Gutierrez
- Junior Youth Group (information listed on parish website)
- Religious Education Program for parish children
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
St. Mary's runs the RCIA process — the Catholic Church's formal way of welcoming new adult members. The first stage is a period of Inquiry, an unstructured time of no fixed duration for questions and the beginnings of Christian faith. These informal meetings are held in the home of the director. Interested adults are invited to contact the Parish Office at 508-228-0100.
- Stage 1: Inquiry (informal meetings in the director's home)
- Contact: Parish Office, 508-228-0100
Music Ministry
Music at St. Mary's is supported by a 2001 pipe organ from the M.L. Bigelow Company of Utah installed in the choir loft, and a sound system installed in 2006. The parish also added a cupola with Carrillons in 2003 so that hymns and the Angelus can be played across the heart of Nantucket Town.
- Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Greta Feeney
- Associate Director of Music Ministry: Kezia Duarte
- Pipe organ: M.L. Bigelow Company of Utah (2001)
- Sound system installed 2006
Parish Outreach & Organizations
St. Mary's hosts the Knights of Columbus council and a St. Vincent de Paul conference for outreach to those in need. It also coordinates Ministry to the Sick, bringing Eucharist to homebound parishioners.
- St. Vincent de Paul — outreach to the needy; contact the Parish Office
- Knights of Columbus — 2nd Wednesday of each month, 6:00 PM (not July & August), Fr. Griffin Hall, 15 Cherry Street; contact Erik at 508-221-8705
- Ministry to the Sick — schedule for receiving Eucharist; notify the Parish Office
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full sacramental life of the Church. Baptisms are normally scheduled on Sundays; weddings require at least 8 months of preparation and a documented connection to the parish; the sick are visited with Eucharist; and the RCIA process welcomes new adult members.
- Baptism: Sundays at 12:30 PM (1:00 PM in July/August); Parents' Preparation Class required; contact Fr. John
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:00 PM or by appointment
- Marriage: minimum 8 months preparation; either bride or groom must be a Baptized, Confirmed, Practicing Catholic; year-round registered parishioners given first priority
- Anointing/Ministry to the Sick: notify the Parish Office
- RCIA: contact the Parish Office to begin the process
Weddings at St. Mary's
Because St. Mary's is a small island parish, weddings require the bride or groom (or an immediate/extended family member) to have a residential connection to Nantucket and be a registered, practicing Catholic. Couples who do not live on the island year-round must also be registered, practicing Catholics where they live, with a letter from their pastor. Active, registered, year-round parishioners of St. Mary's are given first priority; no exceptions can be made due to the volume of wedding requests each year.
- Lead time: at least 8 months
- Wedding Coordinator: Mr. Melvin Aguilar — 774-222-0265
- Marriage preparation typically held in the parish where the couple resides
Pastoral & Administrative Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. John M. Murray and Parochial Vicar Rev. Carlos Patino Villa, supported by a small professional staff.
- Pastor: Rev. John M. Murray ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Carlos Patino Villa ([email protected])
- Business Manager: Soo Woodley ([email protected])
- Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry: Cecilia Gutierrez — 508-228-4852 ([email protected])
- Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Greta Feeney
- Associate Director of Music Ministry: Kezia Duarte
- Head Sacristan: Mrs. Margaret Anne Fleming
- Buildings & Grounds Manager: Mr. Brian Davis — 508-642-2364
- Wedding Coordinator: Mr. Melvin Aguilar — 774-222-0265
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The church at 3 Federal Street is open every day of the year as a shrine and refuge in the heart of Nantucket Town. The parish office is at 6 Orange Street. A Cambridge Street side entrance provides elevator and handicapped access. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 PM, and on Friday from 9:00 AM to noon.
- Church: 3 Federal Street, Nantucket, MA 02554
- Parish Office: 6 Orange Street
- Mailing: PO Box 1168, Nantucket, MA 02554-1168
- Phone: 508-228-0100 | Fax: 508-325-7991
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–Noon & 1:00–3:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–Noon
- Handicap access via Cambridge Street entrance with elevator
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Griffin1916
Purchased the crucifix and cross for the church in 1916
- Fr. Daniel Carey
Led major interior renovations to conform to Vatican II liturgical emphasis; oversaw Cambridge Street entrance construction for elevator/handicapped access
- Monsignor Lester C. Hull
Former pastor, died 1982; honored with a stained-glass window installed during 1997–2000 renovation
- Fr. Paul Caron2001–2006
Installed new pipe organ (2001) and new sound system (2006); oversaw addition of cupola in 2003