About St. Patrick · Binghamton, New York
St. Patrick's is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Binghamton, New York, located on the city's West Side at 9 Leroy Street. Founded in 1843 as the first Catholic parish in Binghamton, it has served the Irish-American community of the Westside for over 180 years and is celebrated as an icon of the neighborhood in its red-brick and limestone Gothic Revival church, designed by prominent New York State architect Isaac Perry and dedicated to St. Patrick on September 23, 1873. Today the parish is linked with neighboring St. Thomas Aquinas Church under a single pastoral team led by Rev. Msgr. John P. Putano, V.F., within the Diocese of Syracuse. The parish is known not only for its cathedral-like worship space and rich devotional life (including Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration), but also for an extensive outreach ministry that runs one of the area's busiest food pantries and showers-of-hope programs.
- Established
- 1843
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. John P. Putano, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Patrick's welcomes parishioners into a historic West Side Catholic community with deep Irish-American roots and a cathedral-like worship space that has been shaped over 180 years by pastors who built schools, an orphanage, and one of the area's most active food pantries. The linked community of St. Patrick's and St. Thomas Aquinas offers daily and Sunday Mass, Saturday confession, a Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration Chapel open seven days a week, a full sacramental life, faith formation for children and adults, RCIA, a Catholic Youth Leadership Program, and lively liturgical music. The parish is also widely known for its hands-on outreach — the CHOW Pantry, Sandwich Ministry, Showers of Hope, Community Warming Station, and holiday baskets — making it a place where new members can pray, be formed, and serve their neighbors side by side.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 11:30 AM (St. Patrick's)
- Saturday 3:00 PM (at linked St. Thomas Aquinas)
- Other times by appointment
Adoration times
- Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration Chapel — 7 days a week, 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM (contact the parish office to register as an adorer)
Welcome and Identity
St. Patrick's and St. Thomas Aquinas together form the 'Linked Roman Catholic Communities' of Binghamton's West Side, sharing one pastoral team, ministries, and sacramental life under the Diocese of Syracuse. The parish describes itself as a Roman Catholic Christian Community called by baptism and nourished by the Eucharist to continue the mission of Jesus Christ through welcoming, supporting, and guiding God's family in prayer, sacramental celebration, service, and education.
- Mission: 'To teach, to serve and to sanctify.'
- Vision: 'To develop and support a culture of life and joyous expectation through the Word, deed and the Sacraments — living as Jesus would have us do; loving and serving Him and our neighbor.'
- Commitment to The New Evangelization — a deeper encounter with Christ expressed in joyful witness to the faith.
History of St. Patrick's Parish
Founded as Binghamton's first Catholic parish on October 24, 1843, St. Patrick's traces its roots to the 1838 dedication of the city's first Catholic Church by Bishop John Hughes of New York. Under the long tenure of Rev. James Hourigan (1847–1892), the present Gothic church was built and dedicated in 1873, along with a parochial school, a girls' boarding school, an orphanage, and the Riverside Drive cemetery. Through two centuries the parish has remained the spiritual heart of Binghamton's West Side.
- 1838: First Catholic Church in Binghamton dedicated
- October 24, 1843: First Catholic Parish in Binghamton established
- September 23, 1873: St. Patrick's Church dedicated
- 1943: Centennial of the parish
- 1968: Quasquicentennial (125th)
- 1993: Sesquicentennial (150th)
- 2013: Dodransbicentennial of the first Catholic mission
- 2023: Sesquicentennial (150th) of St. Patrick's Church
Architecture and the Church Building
The 1873 church is a red-brick and limestone Gothic Revival structure designed by New York State Architect Isaac Perry and built by contractor Stuart Wells. Its interior features Carrara marble altars, altar rails and pulpit (Carrara is the same marble used by Michelangelo), a magnificent pipe organ, and stained-glass windows crafted by Franz Mayer & Co. of Munich that depict the life of St. Patrick from his arrival in Ireland to his death. A Celtic cast-stone cross stands on the east front lawn.
- Style: Gothic Revival
- Architect: Isaac Perry (also designer of the 'Castle on the Hill' in Binghamton)
- Builder: Stuart Wells
- Stained glass: Franz Mayer & Co., Munich
- Marble: Carrara (Italy)
First Friday and First Saturday Devotions
The parish observes traditional First Friday and First Saturday devotions. On First Fridays, devotions are held at St. Thomas Aquinas after the 10:00 AM Mass. On First Saturdays at St. Patrick's, Marian devotions and confessions accompany the 8:00 AM Mass.
- First Friday Devotions at St. Thomas Aquinas — after the 10:00 AM Mass
- First Saturday Devotions at St. Patrick's — 8:00 AM, with Marian Devotions and Confession
- Rosary recited after the regular Saturday morning Mass
Faith Formation and Discipleship
Through its Faith Formation and Discipleship Ministries, the linked parishes provide a nurturing environment where individuals of all ages can encounter God's love, delve into Catholic teaching, and grow as disciples. Children's Faith Formation classes run during the school year for grades K–10, with sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Adult formation includes the OCIA process, Bible studies, Catholic book clubs, and a watch group for The Chosen.
- Children's Faith Formation (K–10) — coordinator Peg Gaska
- Catholic Youth Leadership Program (CYLP) for Grades 10–12 — coordinator Tina Corbin
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
- Wednesday Morning Bible Study — Rosemary Reich
- Catholic book clubs and The Chosen watch group
Catholic Youth Leadership Program (CYLP)
The CYLP engages high school juniors and seniors (Grades 10–12) in faith, leadership, and service in the parish and broader community. Coordinator Tina Corbin works with parish staff to plan formation, retreats, and service opportunities for teens.
- Open to students in Grades 10–12
- Coordinator: Tina Corbin
Liturgical Ministries
There are many ways to serve in the liturgy at St. Patrick's and St. Thomas Aquinas. Liturgical coordinators Deacon Adeolu Ademoyo and Sr. Mary Jane Athieno (Sacristan at St. Patrick's) lead teams of lay volunteers who make every Mass possible. Music is led by an organist at St. Patrick's (Andre Toussaint, with Colin DeLap as substitute), a Sunday evening Mass musician, and a choir director, alongside cantors drawn from the combined community.
- Coordinator of Liturgical Ministries: Dc. Adeolu Ademoyo
- Sacristan at St. Patrick's: Sr. Mary Jane Athieno, LSOSF
- Organist, St. Patrick's: Andre Toussaint (sub. Colin DeLap)
- Sunday Evening Mass Musician: James Apicella
- Choir Director/Cantor, St. Patrick's: Hilary Rozek
- Cantors: Steven Nanni, Hilary Rozek, Kassandra Profera, Gavin Rice, Anna Toussaint
- Liturgical roles: Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Greeters, Ushers, Sacristans, Church Decorators, Tech Booth Assistants
Pastoral Care and Bereavement
Pastoral Care is at the heart of the parish's mission to love and serve neighbor. Volunteers bring Holy Communion to the sick and homebound, visit nursing homes, pray through the parish Prayer Chain, and accompany the bereaved. A certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Sr. Teresia Mutiso, LSOSF, leads the parish's Bereavement Ministries, which include Funeral Planning Support, Funeral Lunches, and a formal Grief Recovery Program.
- Prayer Chains
- Nursing home visits
- Adorers for the Adoration Chapel
- First Friday and First Saturday Devotions
- Funeral Planning Support
- Funeral Lunches
- Grief Recovery Program — Sr. Teresia Mutiso, LSOSF
Outreach and Service Ministries
St. Patrick's has long been known across the Southern Tier for its hands-on outreach to people experiencing hunger and homelessness. The parish runs one of the area's busiest food pantries — the CHOW Pantry — and offers fresh groceries, hot lunches, clothing, and toiletries every weekday. Volunteers also prepare sandwiches, host Showers of Hope for those without housing, and operate a Community Warming Station during cold months.
- St. Patrick's CHOW Pantry — fresh groceries distributed weekdays; partnered with Broome Bounty food recovery
- St. Patrick's Sandwich Ministry — daily bag lunches
- Parish Grocery and Clothing Giveaway
- Showers of Hope & Special Distribution Services — Coordinator Brian Donnelly
- Community Warming Station
- Holiday Baskets
- Clothing Coordinator: Winnie Esworthy
- Food Coordinator: Clover Bobnick
CHOW Pantry and Showers of Hope
A line forms outside St. Patrick's Church every weekday for the parish's CHOW Pantry, where families can pick up fresh groceries for the entire household with no ID or proof of income required. A truck from Broome Bounty (a food-recovery program of the Broome County Council of Churches) delivers fresh produce, baked goods, and non-perishables daily. Volunteers serve hot lunches, sandwiches, and coffee while clients wait. The pantry also provides clothing and toiletries, and partners with rural pantries in Windsor and Whitney Point to extend its reach. The parish's Showers of Hope program offers showers and dignity services to those experiencing homelessness.
- CHOW Pantry hours (per WhyHunger / community listings): Monday 4:00–6:00 PM; Wednesday and Friday 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
- Daily bag lunch and perishable food table 11:30 AM–1:00 PM (Monday–Friday)
- Fresh produce, baked goods, and non-perishables via Broome Bounty
- Clothing and toiletries on site
- Free service — no ID, no income verification
Religious Orders in Residence
Two religious communities live in residence at the linked parishes, supporting the sacramental and pastoral life of the community. The Daughters of Divine Love serve at St. Patrick's, while the Little Sisters of St. Francis serve at St. Thomas Aquinas.
- St. Patrick's — Daughters of Divine Love: Sister Marana Ezebuike, Sister Kosarachi Iweanya
- St. Thomas Aquinas — Little Sisters of St. Francis: Sister MaryJane Athieno, Sister Margaret Mueni Muia, Sister Lucia Mugambi, Sister Teresia Mutiso, Sister Hermenegilde Naluyima
Catholic Schools of Broome County
While St. Patrick's itself does not operate a school, the parish is part of the Catholic Schools of Broome County and directs families to three regional elementary schools and Seton Catholic Central for Grades 7–12. The schools carry out the mission of Jesus Christ, bearing witness while proclaiming the Gospel message, and welcome qualified students without regard to race, gender, national or ethnic origin, or religion. Financial aid is available, and busing is provided by the home district.
- Elementary schools (PreK–6): All Saints (Endicott), St. James (Johnson City), St. John's (Binghamton)
- Grades 7–12: Seton Catholic Central on Binghamton's Westside — 16+ AP courses, 100% graduation and college acceptance rate
- Admissions contact: Mr. John Kiereck — 607-748-7423
Sacramental Life
Parishioners prepare for and celebrate the seven sacraments through the linked parishes of St. Patrick's and St. Thomas Aquinas. Children prepare for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation through the parish Faith Formation program; adults and older teens enter the Church through OCIA; and couples, families, and the sick or homebound are accompanied by the pastoral team.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation — through Faith Formation (K–10)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (becoming Catholic, completing initiation, or being confirmed as an adult)
- Marriage — preparation with the parish clergy
- Anointing of the Sick — through Pastoral Care
- Funeral Liturgy and Bereavement Support
Parish Office, Staff, and Contact
The parish office at St. Patrick's is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The administrative and communications team handles parish operations, technology, and the website; three secretaries share the front desk at St. Patrick's. Buildings and grounds are maintained by a small team across both parish campuses.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. John P. Putano, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Evans Kulei
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Adeolu Ademoyo
- Parish Administrator: Danita Fiacco
- Technology Coordinator: Frederick Kelley
- Website & Communications Specialist: Angel DeLap
- Family & Children's Ministry Coordinator: Peg Gaska
- Secretaries (SP): Marie Evans; Erika Grimminger; Carolyn Scoville
- Buildings and Grounds (SP): James Brown; Mary Peck
Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors can keep up with Mass times, devotions, and outreach through the parish website, livestream, and social media. The site (sta-sp.org) hosts a livestream of services, parish bulletins, online giving, and a contact form for inquiries about ministries, sacraments, and volunteer opportunities.
- Website: http://www.sta-sp.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/StPatricksBinghamton
- Instagram: instagram.com/stpatricks_binghamton
- Livestream of Sunday and weekday Masses via the parish site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Andrew Doyle1843
First resident pastor; parish formally established October 24, 1843
- Rev. Sheridan1843-1847
Early resident pastor
- Rev. James Hourigan1847-1892
Third resident pastor; built the current Gothic church (1873), parochial school, girls' boarding school, orphanage, and Riverside Drive cemetery
- Rev. Nicholas J. Quinn1892-1893
Interim administrator (nephew of Rev. Hourigan)
- Rev. John McDonald1893-1907
Successor pastor
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. John McLoghlin1907-1928
- Rev. Ambrose M. Dwyer1928-1937
Major sanctuary and sacristy expansion during the Great Depression; added marble altars, aisles, rails, pulpit, stained glass, and organ
- Rev. William Sheehan, Ph.D.1937-1940
Worked to reduce parish debt
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. D. Francis Curtin, V.F.1940-1963
Worked to erect Catholic Central High School in the 1940s
- Most Rev. Francis J. Harrison, V.F.1963-1974
Became Monsignor, then Titular Bishop of Aquae in Numidia and Auxiliary Bishop of Syracuse (1971), then Bishop of Syracuse (1974); oversaw first major repairs in 35 years
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas M. Doran1974-1985
- Rev. James J. Fallon1985-1990
Established the Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration Chapel
- Rev. David Pichette / Msgr. Robert Davernafter Fallon
Served as Administrators until Rev. James Quinn was appointed
- Rev. James A. Quinn1991-1993
Twelfth resident pastor; later devoted full-time energy to Seton Catholic Central
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter J. Owens, V.F.1993-1998
- Rev. Laurence Lord2001-2007
Served until retirement
- Rev. Charles Opondo-Oworainterim
Interim pastor
- Rev. John Booth2007-2008
Served as pastor until his death
- Very Rev. Msgr. John P. Putano, V.F.2009-Present
Fourteenth resident pastor; also Episcopal Vicar of the Southern Region of the Diocese of Syracuse