About St. Michael's · Cohoes, New York
St. Michael's Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Cohoes, New York, serving the faithful of that historic mill city on the Hudson. Founded in 1904 by Polish immigrants who arrived in Cohoes in 1901, it has been the spiritual home of generations of Polish-American Catholics and remains an active worshipping community more than 120 years later. St. Michael's is closely linked with the Church of the Holy Trinity in Cohoes, and together the two parishes share pastoral leadership, Mass schedules, and sacramental ministries. The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and is currently led by Very Rev. Brian Kelly as Pastor with Rev. Kyle Gorenski serving as Parochial Vicar.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Very Rev. Brian Kelly
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Michael's welcomes new members into a more-than-120-year-old Catholic community with deep Polish-Catholic roots and a present-day rhythm of Word and Sacrament. Daily and Sunday Masses, weekly Confession and Eucharistic Adoration, Faith Formation for children and a new Adult Faith Formation series (Holy Moments), a Year-Round Open Hands food ministry serving Cohoes neighbors, seasonal devotions like the blessing of Easter baskets, and a parish cemetery on Middletown Road give parishioners many ways to pray, serve, and stay connected. The parish is fully handicapped-accessible, with a staffed elevator to the church, and offers a bulletin, online calendar, and active Facebook presence to keep everyone in the loop.
Mass times at St. Michael's
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at St. Michael's Church
- Tuesday: 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm at Church of the Holy Trinity
- Saturday: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm at Church of the Holy Trinity
- By appointment anytime — call the Parish Office
Adoration times
- Thursday: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at St. Michael's Church
- Tuesday: 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm at Church of the Holy Trinity
Parish History
St. Michael's was built from nothing by Polish immigrants who arrived in Cohoes in 1901, organized themselves as a committee of thirty-six families, and within a few short years had their own church, school, convent, and parish societies. The cornerstone was laid by Bishop Thomas Burke of Albany on October 21, 1904; the first Easter liturgy in the new church was celebrated in 1905; and the building was formally dedicated by Polish Archbishop Simon on September 21, 1905. Father Valentine Gierlacki served as founding pastor for fifty years until his death in 1954. Major milestones over the decades include the 1918 purchase of St. Michael's Cemetery, the 1924 fire that led to the church's enlargement and rededication in 1925, the 1927 arrival of the Sisters of the Resurrection to run the parish school, the installation of a new pipe organ in 1988, the addition of an elevator in 1995, and the parish centennial Mass on October 17, 2004. Today, the parish works in close partnership with the Church of the Holy Trinity under a shared pastoral team.
- 1901: First Polish settlers arrive in Cohoes; parish committee of 36 families organized.
- 1903 (Dec 13): Rev. Valentine Gierlacki celebrates first Mass in the basement of St. Joseph's Church.
- 1904 (Oct 21): Cornerstone laid by Bishop Thomas Burke of the Albany Diocese.
- 1905: First Easter liturgy in the new church.
- 1905 (Sept 21): Polish Archbishop Simon dedicates the church.
- 1907: New parisonage constructed on Page Avenue.
- 1914–18: 18 young parishioners serve in the Polish Army in France under Dmowski, Paderewski, and Haller.
- 1918: 12 acres purchased for St. Michael's Cemetery (107 Middletown Rd, Waterford, NY).
- 1924 (Dec 26): Fire damages school and church.
- 1925 (Nov 29): Bishop F. Gibbons dedicates the enlarged, renovated church.
- 1927: Sisters of the Resurrection begin teaching in the parish school; new convent built.
- 1954: Rev. Sigmund Olszewski succeeds Father Gierlacki after 50 years of service.
- 1974: Rev. Richard Dybas becomes third pastor; serves 31 years.
- 1988: New pipe organ installed.
- 1995: Elevator installed.
- 2004 (Oct 17): Centennial celebrated.
- 2005/2009: Rev. Peter Tkocz arrives / becomes pastor; adds altar-server program and focuses on religious education.
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Michael's offers daily and Sunday Eucharist in English, with occasional Polish liturgy on Sundays and during the week. The Vigil Mass is celebrated on Saturday afternoons, and Sunday Masses are celebrated at 9:00 am (English) and 11:00 am (some Polish). Weekday Masses at St. Michael's are held Monday and Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am. Additional daily Masses in Cohoes are celebrated at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Tuesday evening and Thursday and Friday mornings. Please check the parish bulletin or website for schedule changes around Holy Days and holidays.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 pm at St. Michael's.
- Sunday: 9:00 am (English) and 11:00 am (some Polish) at St. Michael's.
- Monday: 9:00 am at St. Michael's.
- Tuesday: 5:30 pm at Church of the Holy Trinity.
- Wednesday: 9:00 am at St. Michael's.
- Thursday: 9:00 am at Church of the Holy Trinity.
- Friday: 9:00 am at Church of the Holy Trinity.
Anointing of the Sick
The sacrament is celebrated communally after every weekend Mass on the second weekend of the month, and individually by appointment at any time. Please call the Parish Office to arrange.
- After all weekend Masses on the second weekend of the month.
- By appointment anytime — please call the Parish Office.
Sacraments
Arrangements for Baptism, Marriage, Confirmation, joining the parish, registering for Faith Formation, becoming Catholic (RCIA), or any other concern are handled through the Parish Office. Children typically complete two years of Faith Formation (not including kindergarten) before receiving First Holy Communion and three years (usually beginning in 8th grade with Confirmation in the spring of 10th grade) for the sacrament of Confirmation.
- Baptism — contact Parish Office.
- First Eucharist / First Communion — after two years of Faith Formation.
- Confirmation — after three years of Faith Formation (typically Spring of 10th grade).
- Marriage — contact Parish Office.
- RCIA / Becoming Catholic — contact Parish Office.
- Anointing of the Sick — communal monthly or by appointment.
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
St. Michael's Faith Formation program, directed by Kathleen Burns, welcomes children into a safe and friendly environment to grow in faith in Jesus Christ. Classes run from mid-September to mid-May, meeting on Wednesday evenings in the church hall. The program prepares students for First Eucharist and Confirmation, and also supports an Adult Faith Formation series (current program: 'Holy Moments' by Matthew Kelly).
- Grades K–8: Wednesday evenings, 6:00 pm, September through May.
- Grades 9–10: Wednesday evenings, 6:00 pm (Confirmation preparation).
- First Communion: typically in 2nd grade, after two years of formation.
- Confirmation: typically in Spring of 10th grade, after three years of formation.
- Adult Faith Formation: 'Holy Moments' series by Matthew Kelly, Thursday afternoons in the Church Hall.
- Registration for 2026–2027 opens July 1.
- Weather-related closings tracked on Channel 13 WNYT (listed as 'St. Michael's Cohoes Faith Formation').
Polish Heritage & Parish Traditions
St. Michael's is one of the Polish-heritage parishes at the heart of Catholic Cohoes, and the parish works actively to keep its traditions alive for new generations. Distinctive customs include Polish-language liturgies, polka Masses, a Polish choir, Marian devotions, and the blessing of Easter baskets of food — practices the parish says it hopes to pass on to young adults as they grow up to be 'good Christians and active members of our parish.'
- Polish liturgies (some Sundays at 11:00 am).
- Polka Mass.
- Polish choir.
- Marian devotions.
- Blessing of Easter baskets (Święconka).
- Annual Communion Breakfast.
- Polish-culture heritage exhibits and Polish dinners (Heritage Day events).
Outreach & Charity
St. Michael's runs the Open Hands Ministry, which gathers donations and distributes food and supplies to neighbors in Cohoes, including monthly events at the Cohoes Senior Center and the Van Schaick School playground. Parishioners also support a CLYNK can-and-bottle recycling program whose proceeds underwrite Faith Formation activities for the parish's children.
- Open Hands Ministry — distributes food and supplies at the Cohoes Senior Center and Van Schaick School playground.
- Current donation needs: bottled water, individually wrapped cookies and snacks, rolls of toilet paper, packets of mayonnaise, children's books and puzzle books, plus non-food items not covered by SNAP/WIC (laundry detergent, dish soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, peanut butter, shelf-stable snacks).
- CLYNK recycling program — clean cans and bottles returned via Hannaford; supports Faith Formation.
Parish Cemetery
St. Michael's Cemetery is owned and maintained by the parish. Located at 107 Middletown Road in Waterford, NY, the cemetery was purchased in 1918 and remains an active ministry of the parish today, including an annual service presided over by Deacon Frank.
- Address: 107 Middletown Rd, Waterford, NY 12188.
- Purchased by St. Michael's in 1918.
- Annual Memorial / cemetery service.
- Cemetery inquiries: [email protected].
Parish Staff & Contacts
St. Michael's is currently staffed by Very Rev. Brian Kelly as Pastor and Rev. Kyle Gorenski as Parochial Vicar, with Deacon Paul LeBlanc assisting. The Faith Formation program is directed by Kathleen Burns. Parishioner trustees, a parish manager (Jasper Stoller), and many volunteer committee members round out the team.
- Very Rev. Brian Kelly — Pastor.
- Rev. Kyle Gorenski — Parochial Vicar ([email protected]).
- Deacon Paul LeBlanc.
- Kathleen Burns — Faith Formation (518-428-6353; [email protected]).
- Jasper Stoller — Parish Manager.
- Roseanne Kryjak — Trustee.
- Ed Kosek — Trustee.
- Parish Office phone: (518) 237-5151.
- Parish email: [email protected].
- Bulletin submissions: [email protected].
- Cemetery inquiries: [email protected].
- Trustees: [email protected].
Visiting & Accessibility
The parish warmly welcomes visitors and new members. St. Michael's Church is fully handicapped-accessible through the side entrance, with a staffed elevator taking visitors up to the church. The Parish Office is open Monday and Thursday 9:30 am – 12:00 pm and Tuesday and Wednesday 9:30 am – 2:00 pm.
- Side-entrance access with staffed elevator to the church.
- Parish Office Hours: Monday 9:00–11:30 am; Tuesday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; Wednesday and Friday closed; Thursday 9:00–11:30 am; Sunday after Mass until 11:00 am.
- Church Hall: (518) 237-7121.
- Registration forms available in the back of the church, in the Parish Office, downloadable from the website, or by email request.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Valentine Gierlacki1903–1954
Founding pastor; newly ordained in Louvain, Belgium; arrived in Cohoes December 1903; organized the Knights of Saint Michael Society; led construction of the church (cornerstone 1904, dedicated 1905); served 50 years until his death in 1954.
- Rev. Sigmund Olszewski1954–c.1974
Succeeded Father Gierlacki in 1954; purchased new buildings, refurbished the church, and added stained-glass windows.
- Rev. Richard Dybas1974–2005 (approx.)
Had previously served as associate pastor; returned as third pastor in 1974; served for 31 years; formed a parish council in 1979; oversaw installation of a new pipe organ in 1988 and an elevator in 1995.
- Rev. Peter Tkocz2005/2009–
Came to the parish in 2005 and became pastor in 2009; focused on parishioners' spiritual growth, made children's religious education a priority, added an altar-server program, and oversaw several renovations.