About St. Padre Pio Chapel · Rochester, New York
St. Padre Pio Chapel, located in the Town of Gates near Rochester, New York, is a privately owned Roman Catholic chapel and the only one of its kind dedicated to St. Padre Pio in New York State. Run by the Saint Padre Pio Institute of Rochester, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, the 168-seat chapel was completed and opened on May 25, 2008, and is open daily to the public for prayer, meditation, and adoration. Founded by Olindo and Filomena DiFrancesco after a personal pilgrimage promise, it is often called 'The People's Chapel' because, although privately owned, it welcomes everyone to use the facility for their own spiritual needs.
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
St. Padre Pio Chapel offers the Rochester community a quiet, ecclesially supported space specifically devoted to St. Padre Pio, one of the most beloved 20th-century saints. Unlike a parish church, it is open every day for personal prayer, meditation, and Eucharistic adoration, with a regular Wednesday rosary, Communion service, and Benediction, a Monday evening prayer group, and a gift shop. It is a welcoming destination for anyone seeking a place of devotion to Padre Pio and the Catholic faith, regardless of which parish they call home.
Mass times at St. Padre Pio Chapel
Adoration times
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (open for prayer and meditation)
- Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (open for prayer and meditation)
About St. Padre Pio Chapel
St. Padre Pio Chapel is a privately owned Roman Catholic chapel in the Town of Gates, just outside Rochester, New York. It is the only privately owned chapel dedicated to St. Padre Pio in New York State. The chapel is operated by the Saint Padre Pio Institute of Rochester, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote devotion to St. Padre Pio through the creation of a chapel and other religious activities related to Padre Pio and the tenets of the Roman Catholic Church. Although privately owned, the chapel is completely open to the public — co-founder Filomena DiFrancesco calls it 'The People's Chapel.'
- 168-seat chapel
- Daily open hours for prayer and meditation
- Under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Rochester
History of the Chapel
The chapel grew out of a personal promise made by founders Olindo and Filomena DiFrancesco, who on regular visits to family in Italy always made a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo to pray at St. Padre Pio's shrine. Planning began around 2005, and construction started in spring 2007 on land donated by the Italian American Community Center off Manitou Road in the Town of Gates. The project grew from an initial $1.2 million budget to about $2.5 million and was funded entirely by donations, dinner dances, pasta dinners, and the sponsorship of chapel benches and windows. The chapel was completed and dedicated on May 25, 2008 — St. Padre Pio's birthday — and is the only privately owned chapel dedicated to the saint in New York State.
- Founded by Olindo and Filomena DiFrancesco
- Construction began spring 2007 on land donated by the Italian American Community Center
- Opened May 25, 2008 — St. Padre Pio's birthday
- Original budget $1.2 million; final cost approximately $2.5 million
- Funded entirely through donations and about 20 core volunteers
Visiting and Hours
The chapel is open throughout the week for personal prayer, meditation, and quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament. A gift shop on site is open during chapel hours. Tours are welcome by appointment.
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Gift shop open daily
- Tours by appointment: call (585) 594-5220 or (585) 621-6703
Devotions and Services
The chapel offers regular devotional opportunities in honor of St. Padre Pio, including a weekly rosary, Communion service, and Benediction, and a Monday-evening prayer group. Deacon Angelo Coc is available for special blessings by appointment.
- Wednesday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: St. Padre Pio Rosary, Communion, and Benediction
- Monday 7:00 PM: Prayer Group
- Eucharistic Adoration during open hours
- Special blessings with Deacon Angelo Coc — 585-978-1254
Membership and Support
The Saint Padre Pio Institute of Rochester sustains the chapel through memberships, donations, and fundraising events such as dinner dances and pasta dinners. Members and donors help keep the chapel open and maintained as a place of prayer and devotion for the entire community.
- Single membership: $25
- Two-year membership: $45
- Sponsorship opportunities for chapel benches and windows
- Ongoing fundraising events hosted by volunteers
Contact and Location
The chapel is located on the Italian American Community Center campus in the Town of Gates, just outside the City of Rochester. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead for group visits, special blessings, or other inquiries.
- Address: 141 Frank DiMino Way (Marconi Blvd), Rochester, NY 14624
- Phone: (585) 594-5220
- Website: https://www.stpadrepiochapel.com/
- Facebook: St. Padre Pio Chapel page
- On the IACC campus off Manitou Road in the Town of Gates