About St. Mary-St. Peter Parish @ St. Peter · Rome, New York
St. Mary–St. Peter Parish (now part of the new Sacred Heart Parish of Rome/Lee Center, effective July 1, 2025) is the historic Catholic faith community of Rome, New York, rooted in St. Peter's Church founded by Father William Beecham in 1836–1837 at the request of Bishop John Dubois. Originally serving a vast missionary territory of thirteen New York counties with its first Mass celebrated in a cooper's shop, the parish grew into a cornerstone of Catholic life in Oneida County, building its present grand church on North James Street in 1897 — the first parochial church in America consecrated the same day it was completed. Today the parish is pastored by Very Rev. Sean P. O'Brien, V.F., a Navy Reserve chaplain and Vicar Forane of Region IV in the Diocese of Syracuse, with daily and weekend Masses at St. Peter's, faith formation, a music ministry, an active Altar-Rosary Society, a Mission of the Christ Child outreach, and the care of two parish cemeteries.
- Established
- 1837
- Patron
- St. Peter (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Sean P. O'Brien, V.F.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse (now part of the multi-campus Sacred Heart Parish, Rome/Lee Center, effective July 1, 2025)
Why belong here
St. Mary–St. Peter (now part of Sacred Heart Parish) is a parish with deep roots — nearly two centuries of continuous Catholic worship on North James Street — combined with an active present-day life. Weekday Mass at 7:00 a.m., a Vigil and three Sunday Masses, Saturday Confessions, faith formation for First Sacraments, RCIA, Bible study, a music ministry under Barry Russo, an Altar-Rosary Society, the Mission of the Christ Child outreach, hospital ministry, and care of two historic cemeteries all offer many ways to belong. The parish's long history of stewardship — the 1897 church was built and consecrated debt-free — still shapes a community that takes seriously its call to welcome, serve, and pray together.
Mass times at St. Mary-St. Peter Parish @ St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:30 pm
- By appointment (call the Rectory)
Parish History — From a Cooper Shop to a Consecrated Cathedral
St. Peter's Parish was established on August 3, 1837, when Bishop John Dubois of the Diocese of New York appointed Father William Beecham — an Irish priest ordained only months earlier in Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City — as first pastor. Father Beecham had missionary responsibility for thirteen New York counties and chose Rome for its central location. Before a church existed, Mass was celebrated in a cooper's shop Hiram Whedon had erected in 1826 on the east side of S. James Street near Wright Street. In November 1837, a church corporation was formed under New York State law, with Joseph Shields, Thomas Gilson, and Francis N. Bougeot among the first trustees.
- Parish established August 3, 1837
- First Mass in a cooper shop (1826 building on S. James St.)
- First St. Peter's Church built 1840 at Floyd/St. Peter's Avenues by Daniel Baldwin Prince
- First church opened for Mass on Christmas Day, December 25, 1840
- First church dedicated in 1845 by Bishop John Hughes
- Present church consecrated October 24, 1897 — first parochial church in America consecrated the same day it was completed
The 1897 Church — Building on North James Street
By the 1890s, the 1840 wooden church was too small for the growing parish. Father Aloysius Murphy purchased the M. M. Davis property, the Grady residence, and the Lennox house on North James and E. Park Streets, and engaged Syracuse's leading architect Archimedes Russell to draw the plans. The cornerstone was laid on May 21, 1895; the foundation contract went to W. J. Cramond of Rome, masonry to Henry Ryan of Syracuse, and carpentry to Lawrence Carey of Rome. The completed church, finished free of all indebtedness, was consecrated by Bishop Patrick A. Ludden of Syracuse on October 24, 1897 — a unique event in American Catholic history.
- Architect: Archimedes Russell of Syracuse
- Total cost: $125,000
- Consecrated by Bishop Patrick A. Ludden, Diocese of Syracuse
- Papal Delegate Msgr. Martinelli performed the consecration
- Sermons by Msgr. Conaty (Catholic University) and Bishop McQuaid (Rochester)
- Current restoration: Window Preservation / Resurrection Radiance Project
Current Pastor — Very Rev. Sean P. O'Brien, V.F.
Father Sean Patrick O'Brien was born in Binghamton, NY in 1965, the son of John Francis O'Brien and Donna (née Tompkins) O'Brien. A 1983 graduate of Vestal Senior High School, he first studied at Herkimer County Community College to be a radio announcer before entering seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1993. Before coming to Rome he served at Our Lady of Lourdes, Utica (1993–98); St. Patrick's, Forestport and St. Mary of the Snows, Otter Lake (1998–2002); Christ Our Light, Pulaski (2003–09); Christ Our Hope Catholic Community of Northern Oneida County (2009–14); and St. Matthew's/St. Mary's/St. Francis in East Syracuse–Minoa–Bridgeport (2015–19). In January 2022 Bishop Douglas J. Lucia appointed him Vicar Forane (V.F.) for Region IV of the Diocese of Syracuse.
- Ordained June 5, 1993
- Navy Reserve chaplain; retired as Captain in October 2020
- Deployments: Ground Zero (2001), Iraq (2002–03), Afghanistan (2007), Horn of Africa (2014–15)
- Awards include the Legion of Merit and Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Hobbies: Model T Ford touring, boating on Kayuta Lake, vintage snowmobiles, fiddle playing
Sacred Heart Parish — The 2025 Merger
On June 5, 2025, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia issued a Decree of Modification merging St. Mary–St. Peter's with St. John the Baptist (Rome), St. Paul (Rome), and St. Joseph (Lee Center) into a single new parish named Sacred Heart, effective July 1, 2025. Father Sean P. O'Brien was appointed pastor and Father Immanuel Agbulu (previously parochial vicar at St. Mary–St. Peter's) was appointed parochial vicar. The parish website (stmarysstpeters.com) has been carried over to serve the combined parish. Sacramental records for St. Mary of the Assumption, Rome, and Transfiguration of Our Lord, Rome, are now retained at the new parish offices.
- Decree issued June 5, 2025; merger effective July 1, 2025
- Four church campuses remain open: St. Peter (Rome), St. John the Baptist (Rome), St. Paul (Rome), St. Joseph (Lee Center)
- Pastor: Very Rev. Sean P. O'Brien, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Immanuel Agbulu
- Sacramental records for St. Mary of the Assumption and Transfiguration retained at parish
Sacraments
Parishioners are invited to call the Rectory Office to arrange Baptisms, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and other sacraments. The Sacrament of the Sick is administered to the homebound and hospitalized on request. First Sacraments preparation is coordinated by Jean Bauer, and the RCIA program welcomes those preparing to enter the Catholic Church.
- Baptism — call the Rectory
- Marriage/Matrimony — call the Rectory
- Anointing of the Sick — call the Rectory for the homebound or hospitalized
- First Sacraments — Jean Bauer
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:00–4:30 pm or by appointment
- RCIA — see parish website
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is led by Director Laura Mack, with First Sacraments preparation coordinated by Jean Bauer. The parish maintains a separate Faith Formation office (315-336-5066, [email protected]) and a dedicated website at www.smspfaith.com. In addition to the children's program, the parish offers RCIA for adults, Bible Study led by Betty Pettinelli, and Vocations support.
- Director of Faith Formation: Laura Mack
- First Sacraments Coordinator: Jean Bauer
- Faith Formation Office: 315-336-5066
- Email: [email protected]
- Faith Formation website: www.smspfaith.com
- Adult Scripture Study (Betty Pettinelli)
- RCIA program
Music Ministry & Liturgical Art
Music Ministry is directed by Barry Russo, supporting the parish's regular Masses and special liturgies. The parish's 1897 church houses original stained glass that is being restored through the Window Preservation and Resurrection Radiance Project; donations to support this preservation effort are accepted through the parish's online giving system. Assistive hearing devices are available for loan at the altar rail and in the front vestibule before Mass, and ASL interpreters (Gabby Griffin and Mary Margaret VanDamme) assist at liturgies.
- Music Ministry Director: Barry Russo
- Window Preservation / Resurrection Radiance Project
- Assistive hearing devices available
- ASL Interpreters: Gabby Griffin and Mary Margaret VanDamme
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Parish life at St. Peter's is enriched by a number of long-standing organizations. The Altar Rosary Society (led by Mary Wahl) gathers women of the parish for prayer and service. The Mission of the Christ Child and St. Aloysius Catholic Center (Julie McCormick) carry out the parish's outreach to those in need. Funeral preparations are coordinated by Barbara Thomas, and Hospital Ministry is led by Deacon John MacGaffick. Scripture Study, communications/media (Joseph Stanton and Deacon Nick Rosher), and the Parish Council round out the active parish community.
- Altar Rosary Society — Mary Wahl
- Mission of the Christ Child
- St. Aloysius Catholic Center — Julie McCormick
- Funeral Preparations — Barbara Thomas
- Hospital Ministry — Deacon John MacGaffick
- Scripture Study — Betty Pettinelli
- Communications/Media — Joseph Stanton & Deacon Nick Rosher
- Parish Council President: Larry Riolo; Trustees: Bernard Kaier, Timothy Sestito
Cemeteries
The parish operates two historic cemeteries serving the Catholic community of Rome. St. Peter's Cemetery is superintended by Kate Stephan (315-337-8307) and St. Mary's Cemetery can be reached at 315-336-3110.
- St. Peter's Cemetery — 315-337-8307 — Kate Stephan, Superintendent
- St. Mary's Cemetery — 315-336-3110
Visiting & Accessibility
St. Peter's Church is located at 200 N. James Street, Rome, NY 13440. The front pews across the church are reserved for those who find it difficult to walk, and Communion can be brought to the pew. Assistive hearing devices are available for loan at the altar rail and in the front vestibule before Mass. The Parish Office is open Monday & Thursday 9:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:00–3:00 pm, Tuesday 9:00 am–1:00 pm, and Wednesday & Friday 9:00 am–12:00 pm. The parish also livestreams Sunday Mass, Holy Day Masses, Funeral Masses, Fireside Chats, weddings, and Stations of the Cross through its media page.
- Address: 200 N. James Street, Rome, NY 13440
- Parish Office: 315-336-5072
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Office hours listed on website
- Reserved front pews and Communion-to-pew available
- Assistive hearing devices and ASL interpretation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Beecham1836/1837–1876
Founder and first pastor; Irish-born, educated at Carlow College Dublin, ordained by Bishop Dubois in Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, NYC, Dec. 9, 1836; built the first St. Peter's Church (1840); died March 10, 1876 at age 71.
- Rev. Aloysius Murphy1876–1906
Second pastor; built the present grand church on N. James St., consecrated Oct. 24, 1897; died April 6, 1906.
- Msgr. James J. Carson1906–1950
Third pastor; had served as associate at St. Peter's since Jan. 2, 1896.
- Msgr. Edward P. Buttimer1950–1971
Fourth pastor; born in Oswego, May 31, 1895 — ten days after the cornerstone was laid for the church he would later lead.
- Msgr. Francis J. Culkin1971–1990
Fifth pastor; born in Fulton, NY, Sept. 18, 1914; the parish's compiled chronological history is dedicated to him.
- Rev. Philip A. Hearn1990–2019
Sixth pastor.
- Very Rev. Sean P. O'Brien, V.F.2019–present
Seventh pastor; Navy Reserve chaplain (retired Captain); Vicar Forane of Region IV of the Diocese of Syracuse since January 2022.