About St. Mary Star of the Sea · New London, Connecticut
St. Mary Star of the Sea is a historic Catholic parish in New London, Connecticut, rooted in the 1840s and now part of the St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Community. Its beautiful church on Huntington Street was designed by architect Patrick Keely and has served generations of Irish, Italian, Hispanic, Haitian, African American, and other families. The parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish and emphasizes outreach and welcome, with a special focus on Hispanic ministry. It remains a vibrant, multicultural home of prayer, sacraments, and community service in the Diocese of Norwich.
- Established
- 1843
- Patron
- St. Mary, Star of the Sea
- Rector
- Rev. Mark D. O'Donnell
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich
Why belong here
St. Mary Star of the Sea offers a warm, multicultural parish family with a special ministry to Hispanic families, beautiful historic worship space, Mass in English and Spanish, and a long tradition of outreach and community service.
Mass times at St. Mary Star of the Sea
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 - 10:00 AM at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church
History
St. Mary Star of the Sea traces its roots to the 1840s, when Irish workers gathered for Mass in a New London storefront. A chapel was established in 1843, the first resident pastor arrived in 1851, and the present church on Huntington Street—designed by Patrick Keely—was dedicated in 1876. A parish school opened in 1891 and the landmark tower was completed in 1911.
Pastor
Rev. Mark D. O'Donnell, a priest of the Diocese of Norwich ordained in 1985, has served as pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea since 2016. He also pastors the connected parishes of St. Joseph in New London and St. Paul in Waterford.
Community Life
The parish is home to families of Irish, Italian, Latin American, Haitian, African American, and many other heritages. It emphasizes outreach and has a special ministry to the Hispanic families of the New London area.