About St. Michael · Smithfield, Rhode Island
St. Michael's Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Georgiaville village of Smithfield, Rhode Island, part of the Diocese of Providence. The parish grew out of the immigrant mill communities of the Woonasquatucket River valley in the 1870s and today gathers a multi-generational congregation at 80 Farnum Pike. It is led by Rev. Richard A. Valentine, who has served as pastor since 1991, supported by a pastoral assistant, a deacon couple, liturgical ministers, religious formation teachers, a youth group, and a parish food closet serving Smithfield residents.
- Established
- 1875 (consecration of original church; parish incorporated 1869)
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Richard A. Valentine
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Michael's is a family-sized parish where many worshippers can point to three or four generations in the pews and where younger families now regularly fill the cry room. Daily and weekend Masses are kept simple and accessible, low-gluten hosts are available for those who need them, and a robust Religious Formation program walks children from kindergarten through Confirmation. Practical outreach — including a parish food closet serving Smithfield residents and a Bereavement Ministry — keeps the parish connected to its neighbors in the Woonasquatucket valley.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only — call the rectory at 401-231-5119
About St. Michael's Parish
St. Michael's Church serves the Georgiaville area of Smithfield, Rhode Island, from its location at 80 Farnum Pike. The parish is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence and is led by Rev. Richard A. Valentine, who has been pastor since 1991. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Wednesday at 7:00 AM, with weekend Masses Saturday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
History
St. Michael's grew out of a Catholic mission established for French-Canadian and Irish immigrant mill workers in the Georgiaville mill village on the Woonasquatucket River. The parish was incorporated June 7, 1869, and the first church (on Homestead Avenue) was consecrated in October 1875. As the parish grew through the twentieth century, the congregation moved up the road to the present Farnum Pike church, dedicated in December 1967. The parish marked its 150th anniversary on September 28, 2025, with the Bishop of Providence.
- 1869 — Parish incorporated in Rhode Island
- May 17, 1875 — Cornerstone of original Homestead Avenue church laid
- October 24, 1875 — Original church consecrated
- December 1967 — Present Farnum Pike church dedicated
- September 29, 1991 — Statue of St. Michael dedicated on parish grounds
- September 28, 2025 — 150th anniversary Mass with Bishop Lewandowski
Clergy & Staff
The parish has been led since 1991 by Rev. Richard A. Valentine. He is assisted by a pastoral assistant, Bill Bowden, and by Deacon Bill and Bernadette Small. The parish also maintains a lay leadership structure; the corporation's current officers include the pastor as treasurer and a secretary and directors drawn from the parish.
- Rev. Richard A. Valentine — Pastor (since 1991)
- Deacon Bill Small & Bernadette Small
- Bill Bowden — Pastoral Assistant (also coordinates Bereavement Ministry, 401-231-5120)
- Wendy — Religious Formation contact (231-1340 ext. 3)
Religious Formation & Youth Ministry
St. Michael's parish-based Religious Formation program walks children and teens from kindergarten through high school. Sacramental preparation begins in first grade, with First Reconciliation and First Eucharist typically received in second grade. The Confirmation program is a two-year track beginning in ninth grade, with the sacrament celebrated in tenth grade; students at Catholic high schools follow a modified schedule in coordination with the parish. Adult faith formation is also offered.
- Grades K–8 weekly Religious Formation classes
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist preparation (grades 1–2)
- Two-year Confirmation program (grades 9–10)
- Youth Group for teens
- Adult Faith Formation
- Contact: Wendy, 401-231-1340 ext. 3
Liturgical Ministries
The parish invites parishioners to share their time and talents through liturgical ministries, which the website describes as 'the participation of the People of God in the work of God.' Servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers/collectors, choir members, greeters, and religious formation teachers all serve the parish community.
- Altar Servers (youth and adult)
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Ushers / Collectors
- Choir
- Youth Choir
- Greeters / Hospitality
- Religious Formation Teachers
- Youth Group leaders
Outreach & Charity
St. Michael's runs a parish Food Closet that serves Smithfield residents, accepting donations and distributing food to neighbors in need. The parish also maintains a Social Justice Ministry and a Bereavement Ministry that hosts an informal support group open to anyone who has lost a loved one.
- Parish Food Closet — food pantry for Smithfield residents (donations welcome)
- Social Justice Ministry
- Bereavement Ministry / Support Group — contact Bill Bowden, 401-231-5120
- Featured local author Ann G. Boulet spoke on grief and loss (November 2024)
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments through its Religious Formation program and coordinates weddings, funerals, and other rites through the rectory. Special accommodations such as low-gluten hosts are available for those who need them.
- Baptism — contact the rectory
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (10th grade, after two-year preparation)
- Marriage — contact the rectory
- Anointing of the Sick & Funeral Ministry
- Low-gluten hosts for Holy Communion — request from the priest in the sacristy before Mass
Facilities & Grounds
Beyond the church itself, the Farnum Pike property includes a small hill topped by a life-sized statue of St. Michael the Archangel, a church hall and offices that support parish programs, and a parish food closet operation. Long-timers recall the parish's earlier home on Homestead Avenue.
- Current church dedicated December 1967
- Stained-glass windows and grand piano inside
- Life-sized statue of St. Michael the Archangel (dedicated 1991)
- Small parish parking lot — note it fills on Sundays
- Original 1875 church stood on nearby Homestead Avenue
Visit & Contact
St. Michael's welcomes new parishioners and visitors. The parish office can be reached by phone or email, and the website offers a parish-registration link for those wishing to formally join.
- Address: 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917
- Phone (rectory): 401-231-5119
- Pastoral Assistant / Bereavement: Bill Bowden — 401-231-5120, [email protected]
- Religious Formation: Wendy — 401-231-1340 ext. 3
- General email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stmichaelsmithfield.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Richard A. Valentine1991–present
Long-serving pastor; parishioners describe him as humble and relatable, with homilies that speak to daily life. Officiated at the September 29, 1991 dedication of the St. Michael statue on parish grounds.