About St. Mary · Pawtucket, Rhode Island
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and the second-oldest parish in the Diocese of Providence (after the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul). Founded in 1828–1829, the parish grew around one of the first Catholic churches built in Rhode Island and served waves of Irish immigrants throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The parish celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2005 and its 154-year-old school merged with Woodlawn Catholic Regional School in 2009. After 197 years of ministry, Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski approved a merger into St. John the Baptist Parish in Pawtucket, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception celebrated its final Mass on February 1, 2026, ceasing all operations.
- Established
- 1828
- Patron
- Mary of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Rev. Brendan J. Rowley (Administrator, per parish staff page at time of closure)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
For nearly two centuries, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception was the spiritual home of Pawtucket's oldest Catholic community, ministering to waves of Irish immigrants and their descendants at the Pine Street complex — a registered historic landmark with the 1887 Gothic Revival church, school, convent, and rectory. The parish was known for sacramental devotion, its parish school (1855–2009), and outreach such as the St. Mary Playground built at Mother of Hope Camp. Following the diocese-approved merger effective in late 2025 and the parish's final Mass on February 1, 2026, all sacramental records, parish life, and the Old St. Mary's Cemetery are now sustained through St. John the Baptist Parish in Pawtucket.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Parish History
From a wooden chapel donated by David Wilkinson in 1828 to a 6.5-acre Gothic Revival complex on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception served Pawtucket Catholics for 197 years. The parish welcomed Irish immigrants, built a school in 1855, hosted the Sisters of Mercy from 1862, and closed its school in 2009 before celebrating its final Mass on February 1, 2026.
- Founded 1828–1829 on land donated by David and Martha Wilkinson
- Pastors included Rev. Patrick Delaney (1853–1879), Rev. William Halligan, Monsignor Lloyd, Fathers Unsworth, Watterson, Galligan, and Ledoux
- 175th (parish) / 150th (school) anniversary Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas Tobin, October 30, 2005
- Final Mass celebrated February 1, 2026; merged into St. John the Baptist Parish
Architecture and the Pine Street Complex
The St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception Complex is one of the most intact turn-of-the-century Catholic parish complexes in Rhode Island. The site spans 6.5 acres at 103 Pine Street and includes the 1885–87 Gothic Revival church, an 1890–91 school, an 1895–96 convent, and a 1909–10 Tudor Revival rectory, plus the surviving Old St. Mary's Cemetery.
- Church: 1885–87 Gothic Revival, red brick, architects Murphy, Hindle & Wright
- School: 1890–91
- Convent: 1895–96
- Rectory: 1909–10, Tudor Revival
- Old St. Mary's Cemetery
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places November 18, 1983
Parish Staff (as listed before closure)
- Mrs. Arlene Kennedy — Parish Receptionist
- Mrs. Nancy Clancy — Parish Bookkeeper
- Mrs. Althea Allard — Organist / Choir Director
- Mr. John Garcia — Buildings & Maintenance
Parish School (1855–2009)
St. Mary's operated a parish school for 154 years. Enrollment peaked at 200 children in 1858 under the Sisters of Mercy. After a decline of nearly 100 students over nine years, the Diocese of Providence approved a 2009 merger with Woodlawn Catholic Regional School. Playground equipment was later donated to a new St. Mary Playground at Mother of Hope Camp in Chepachet.
- Founded 1855 by Rev. Patrick Delaney
- Sisters of Mercy arrived 1862
- Present school building 1890–91, designed by Murphy, Hindle & Wright
- Merged with Woodlawn Catholic Regional School, 2009
Closure and Merger (2025–2026)
On December 11, 2025, Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski approved the merger of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception into St. John the Baptist Parish, citing declining Mass attendance, limited sacramental activity, and rising maintenance costs. The parish celebrated its final Mass on February 1, 2026. Sacramental records (including those from the former St. Edward and St. Maria Goretti parishes) and Old St. Mary's Cemetery records are now retained at St. John the Baptist, 69 Quincy Ave, Pawtucket (401-722-9054).
- Decree issued December 11, 2025
- Final Mass celebrated February 1, 2026
- Office closed; records transferred to St. John the Baptist Parish
Contact (post-closure)
After closure, all parish business is handled by St. John the Baptist Parish. The parish website (saintmaryri.org) remains online for historical reference and announcements.
- Parish office (historic): 103 Pine Street, Pawtucket, RI 02862 — (401) 722-5425
- Records / sacramental office: St. John the Baptist Parish, 69 Quincy Ave, Pawtucket — (401) 722-9054
- Website: http://www.saintmaryri.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert D. Woodley1828–1829
Sent by Boston Bishop Benedict Fenwick to assess Catholic need in Pawtucket; first missionary.
- Rev. Patrick Delaney1853–1879
Founded the parish school (1855), welcomed the Sisters of Mercy (1862), and officially rededicated the parish as 'The Church of the Immaculate Conception of Pawtucket.'
- Rev. William Halligan19th c.
Built the present school (1891), the current Gothic Revival church (1885–87), and the convent (1896).
- Monsignor Lloydretired 1987
Last pastor of an earlier era of 'Old St. Mary's.'
- Father John Unsworth
Succeeded Monsignor Lloyd.
- Father John Watterson
- Father Charles Galligan
- Father William Ledoux
Led the 2009 school merger, dedicated the St. Mary Playground at Mother of Hope Camp (2010).
- Rev. Brendan J. Rowley
Listed as Administrator on the parish staff page preceding closure.