About St. Patrick · Chittenango, New York
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church is a parish in Chittenango, New York, in the Diocese of Syracuse. Founded in 1853, it has served the Catholics of this Madison County village for more than 170 years, with Mass currently celebrated Saturday evening, Sunday morning, and on weekdays. The parish is pastored by Rev. Kevin J. Corcoran, who also serves the linked parish of St. James in Cazenovia, and is assisted by two deacons and lay staff who coordinate faith formation, youth ministry, music, and the parish office.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin J. Corcoran
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a close-knit country parish where Catholics in Chittenango have worshipped together since 1853 and built their church with their own hands. Visitors are welcomed to weekend Masses (Saturday Vigil at 4 PM, Sunday at 10:30 AM) and a daily Mass on Wednesdays, with rosary recited after Sunday Mass and on Wednesday evenings. Parishioners can grow through Faith Formation K-12, a Middle and High School Youth Ministry that uses LifeTeen materials, an Adult Faith Formation group that meets Sunday mornings to discuss the Mass readings, and a Music Ministry under Adult Choir Director Andrea Love. Outreach is hands-on: the parish fields a team for the annual Chittenango Crop Walk (with proceeds benefiting the Sullivan Food Cupboard), hosts American Red Cross blood drives in the Parish Center, and walks with families preparing for Confirmation and the other sacraments.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Welcome to St. Patrick's
St. Patrick's is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Syracuse whose mission is to know the Catholic faith, live it, and share it through acts of service. The parish welcomes first-time visitors and invites anyone in the Chittenango area to join them for Mass.
- Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil 4 PM; Sunday 10:30 AM; Wednesday 11 AM
- Holy Days as announced
- Diocese of Syracuse parish
History of St. Patrick's Parish
St. Patrick's traces its roots to 1851, when Catholics in Chittenango gathered in the home of James Stewart. The community grew through Union Hall Masses, purchased a former Presbyterian church in 1859, suffered a devastating 1886 fire, was formally incorporated that November, and built its present church on a new site — dedicated by Bishop Ludden on March 7, 1889. The parish marked its 150th anniversary on September 14, 2003.
- 1851–1852: Mass in the home of James Stewart
- 1853: Attached as an out-mission of newly formed St. James, Cazenovia
- 1859: Rev. Bonaventure Carney buys the former Second Presbyterian Church for $900
- November 3, 1886: Incorporated as a parish; the Diocese of Syracuse formed November 20, 1886
- 1887: Rev. Martin Stanton appointed first resident pastor after the fire
- March 7, 1889: New church dedicated by Bishop Ludden
- 1998: Church renovated and rededicated by Bishop James Moynihan
- October 25, 2000: Education Center (former rectory) dedicated as Rev. Timothy S. Elmer Education Center
- September 14, 2003: 150th anniversary Mass with Bishop Thomas Costello
- 2010: New Parish Center completed
- July 1, 2018: Rev. Kevin Corcoran named pastor, linking St. Patrick's with St. James, Cazenovia
St. Patrick's Cemetery
St. Patrick's Cemetery is located on Salt Springs Road at the southwestern end of the village of Chittenango. The original two-acre plot was donated to the church by Mary E. Brinkerhoff on April 14, 1875, and had previously been named St. Agnes' Cemetery.
- Location: Salt Springs Road, southwestern Chittenango
- Original 2-acre parcel donated April 14, 1875 by Mary E. Brinkerhoff
- Previously known as St. Agnes' Cemetery
Parish Staff
St. Patrick's is led by a pastor shared with St. James in Cazenovia, assisted by two deacons and a small lay staff. The Faith Formation Coordinator runs religious education from K through high school and Confirmation preparation, the parish office handles administrative matters, and the Adult Choir Director leads liturgical music.
- Rev. Kevin Corcoran — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon John Addante ([email protected])
- Deacon Nathan Gunn ([email protected])
- Susan "Sue" Neis — Faith Formation Coordinator ([email protected])
- Elizabeth "Liz" Neis — Parish Office / Youth Ministry contact ([email protected])
- Andrea Love — Adult Choir Director ([email protected])
Mass & Sacraments
The parish celebrates Mass on Saturday evening, Sunday morning, and during the week. The sacrament of Confirmation is prepared through Faith Formation for teens and through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults who wish to be confirmed.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Mass: 10:30 AM
- Wednesday Daily Mass: 11:00 AM (Daily Mass also on Mondays and Fridays at 11:00 AM)
- Holy Days: as announced
- Confirmation for teens — through Faith Formation classes (Mrs. Neis)
- Confirmation for adults — contact Fr. Kevin about OCIA
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
St. Patrick's Faith Formation K-12 program supports parents as the primary educators of their children, helping them pass on the Catholic faith through classroom catechesis and family life in the parish. A separate Youth Ministry builds on that foundation for middle and high school students, and the parish encourages families to attend Mass weekly and on Holy Days.
- Faith Formation classes for the 2026-27 school year will run in summer 2026 — dates TBA
- Registration fee: $30/child or $60/family maximum; hardship waivers available
- All volunteers must complete Diocesan Safe Environment training and pass a background check
- Catechists must be Confirmed Catholics 18+, active registered parishioners
- Youth Ministry for Grades 5–12, using LifeTeen Catholic Youth Ministry content
- CORE Team of adult volunteers prepares and ministers to the youth
- Seasonal events offered for elementary students
Adult Faith Formation
The Adult Faith Formation group meets on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the downstairs Church Hall (handicap accessible) to explore and discuss the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. The group is open to anyone; there is no cost and no commitment to attend every session.
- Meets Sundays 9:00–10:00 AM in the Church Hall
- Begins each year in mid-September
- No cost, drop-in format
- See Parish Calendar for meeting dates; contact the Parish Office for more information
Music Ministry
Liturgical music at St. Patrick's is led by Adult Choir Director Andrea Love, who can be reached at [email protected]. The music ministry supports the parish's weekend and daily liturgies.
- Adult Choir Director: Andrea Love ([email protected])
Parish Outreach & Community Life
St. Patrick's is active in local outreach, both through the parish's own ministries and in partnership with other community organizations. Families and parishioners are regularly invited into service opportunities in and around Chittenango.
- Chittenango Crop Walk — annual team walk benefiting the Sullivan Food Cupboard; the 2025 walk is Sunday, October 18 through downtown Chittenango
- American Red Cross Blood Drives — held in the Parish Center (e.g., June 25, 1:30–6:30 PM)
- Faith Formation families and Youth Ministry are encouraged to participate in parish and community service
First-Time Visitors
St. Patrick's invites first-time visitors to learn what to expect before joining the parish community for Mass and to explore the parish's website for information on sacraments, faith formation, and ministries.
- What to know before joining for the first time — guidance page on the parish website
- Weekend Masses: Saturday Vigil 4 PM and Sunday 10:30 AM
- Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, Adult Faith Formation, Music Ministry, and Outreach listed on the site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Heas / Rev. James O'Hara (visiting from Syracuse and Oneida)1851-1852
Celebrated Mass in the home of James Stewart for the Chittenango Catholics before a parish existed.
- Pastor of St. James, Cazenovia1853-1858
Continued celebrating Mass in the Stewart home after Chittenango was attached as an out-mission of St. James.
- Rev. Michael Rooneythrough 1859
Moved the liturgy to the local "Union Hall" as the congregation outgrew a private residence.
- Rev. Bonaventure Carneyfrom 1859
Purchased the former Second Presbyterian Church of Chittenango for $900, giving the parish its first permanent worship space.
- Rev. Martin Stanton1887-
First pastor after the 1886 fire and the parish's formal incorporation; oversaw construction of the present church, dedicated by Bishop Ludden on March 7, 1889.
- Rev. Edward J. Reimer2002-2018
Assigned to St. Patrick's in 2002; retired July 1, 2018. Oversaw the 150th anniversary Mass in 2003.
- Rev. Kevin J. Corcoran2018-present
Announced as next pastor in summer 2018; effective July 1, 2018. Pastor in solidum linking St. Patrick's with St. James Parish in Cazenovia.