St. Patrick

Parish History

St. Patrick Parish grew from a mission of St. Joseph Parish in Salem, NH, where as late as 1900 there were only 12 to 15 Catholics in Pelham. Father Herbert Hennon celebrated Mass in the Pelham Town Hall from 1908 to 1913; the first church was dedicated on September 24, 1913, by Bishop George Albert Guertin. The mission became a parish in September 1946 with 120 registered families and Rev. Cornelius F. Cahill as first resident pastor. The parish has since built a rectory, enlarged and re-faced the church in stone (1953), added a major nave expansion seating 635 (1983), founded St. Patrick's Convent School in 1960 (closed 2015), run a mission church at Gage Hill, and weathered the transitions of more than a dozen pastors.

• 1908–1913: Mass celebrated in Pelham Town Hall by Father Herbert Hennon
• May 29, 1910: Catholic community formally made a mission of St. Joseph Parish, Salem
• September 24, 1913: St. Patrick Church dedicated by Bishop George Albert Guertin
• September 1946: Elevated to parish status; Rev. Cornelius F. Cahill becomes first resident pastor
• October 1946: Ground broken for the rectory
• 1953: Church enlarged and faced with stone; dedicated by Bishop Matthew F. Brady on May 31
• July 5, 1953: Bishop Brady blesses the Grotto of Our Lady of Fatima
• 1961: St. Patrick's Convent School dedicated by Bishop Ernest J. Primeau
• June 1, 1969: St. Margaret's Mission Church dedicated in Gage Hill
• June 17, 1983: Expansion dedicated and altar anointed by Bishop Odore J. Gendron
• Summer 2015: St. Patrick Catholic School closed due to enrollment decline
• Summer 2016: Parish offices move from rectory basement to former school
• June 2018: Msgr. Richard Kelley moves into the rectory as priest in residence
• August 2024: Bishop Libasci names Msgr. Kelley temporary administrator of the parish

Mass and Sacraments

The regular Mass schedule is Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and Sundays at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM, with daily Mass Monday through Thursday at 8:00 AM. There is no Friday Mass, with a First Friday and First Saturday Mass each at 8:00 AM. Holy Days of Obligation are observed at 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturdays from 3:00 to 3:45 PM (except Holy Saturday) and by appointment. The Vigil Mass is broadcast live on Pelham Television (PTV) every Saturday at 4:00 PM, with weekday rebroadcasts.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious formation is described by the parish as 'a lifetime journey for everyone.' Children are served by the Family of Faith — Sacramental Preparation and Beyond program, run by Faith Life Administrator Jennah Costa, which prepares children for Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation within the family-centered 'Domestic Church' model. Adult faith formation is anchored in a free subscription to FORMED, the Catholic on-demand streaming platform, with ongoing classes and resources to help every baptized adult live out a missionary discipleship.

• Family of Faith — Sacramental Preparation and Beyond
• Adult Faith Formation program with free FORMED access
• Faith Life Administrator: Mrs. Jennah Costa ([email protected])

St. Patrick Catholic School (1960–2015)

Saint Patrick School was founded in 1960 by the parish as Saint Patrick Convent School and dedicated in 1961 by Bishop Ernest J. Primeau. For many years it was staffed by the Sisters of Mercy from Windham; the name was officially shortened to Saint Patrick School in the early 1990s as lay teachers took over. The school was accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and at one point enrolled more than 200 pupils (2008–09), reaching grade 8 with a curriculum that included Religion, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, French (grades 5–8), Library, Computer Technology, Physical Education, Art, and Music. By summer 2015 only 32 students were registered for the new academic year, and the Diocese of Manchester closed the school on the recommendation of Pastor Rev. Volney J. DeRosia and Superintendent Rev. John Fortin, OSB. The parish offices moved into the ground floor of the former school building the following summer.

• Founded 1960; closed summer 2015
• Grades: Pre-K through 8
• Originally staffed by Sisters of Mercy from Windham
• NEASC accredited; Diocese of Manchester curriculum
• Annual traditions included Harvest Feast (3rd-grade 'Pilgrims and Native Americans'), 6th-grade Nature's Classroom trip, and 8th-grade Washington, D.C. trip
• Athletics: soccer, softball, track and field (Tri-County League)

Liturgical Ministries

Music and song are described as 'an essential part of liturgical worship' at the parish. Two music directors serve the three weekend liturgies: Gary Williams directs the 8 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Masses, and Steven Caruso directs the 4 PM Saturday Mass. Cantors lead the congregation in acclamations and responses, and instrumentalists are encouraged to join. Beyond music, the parish maintains the full complement of liturgical ministries: altar servers (open to boys and girls after First Communion), lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and hospitality ministers who greet, seat, and assist the assembly.

• Music Director (8 AM & 10:30 AM Sunday): Gary Williams
• Music Director (4 PM Saturday): Steven Caruso
• Altar Servers (post-First Communion)
• Lectors (must have made First Communion and have basic public-speaking skills)
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (must have received Confirmation and be in good standing)
• Hospitality Ministers (ushers/greeting, collection, gift procession)

Parish Staff and Office

The parish office is located inside St. Patrick School (by the carport) at 16 Main Street, Pelham, NH 03076. The mailing address remains 12 Main Street. Office hours run Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with reduced summer hours from June 1 through September 7 (8:00 AM to 2:00 PM); the office is closed on Fridays. Therese Soucy is the Business Manager and Kathy Jean is the Secretary.

• Mailing address: 12 Main Street, Pelham, NH 03076
• Office location: 16 Main Street (inside St. Patrick School)
• Phone: 603-635-3525
• Fax: 603-635-3919
• Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Friday closed); reduced summer hours June 1–Sept 7

Outreach and Parish Life

Outreach at St. Patrick centers on the St. Patrick (Pelham) Food Pantry, which was started during the pastorate of Father Edward D. Richard by the newly formed Women's Guild, along with the Hospitality Committee. The Harvest vocation ministry works to promote vocations through prayer, awareness, education, youth initiatives, and affirmation. Parish life is supported by the Women's Guild and the Parish and Finance Councils, which together oversee the campus — including the old electric-car-barn parish center acquired in the 1950s and the Club House parish center built on land acquired by Father Cahill in 1950.

• St. Patrick (Pelham) Food Pantry
• The Harvest Vocation Ministry
• Women's Guild (founded under Father Richard)
• Hospitality Committee
• Parish Pastoral Council
• Finance Council

Mission Statement

The parish summarizes its mission as a community of Catholic Christians who desire to grow closer to the living God, lived out in four movements drawn from Matthew 28 — Go (build Christ-like relationships with others), Make (help people fall in love with God), Baptize (fall deeper in love with God through the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist), and Teach (serve and witness inspired by the Holy Spirit). The parish frames this in the words, 'We do this because we are children of God who long for all to share in eternal life.'

• Go — build Christ-like relationships with others
• Make — help people fall in love with God
• Baptize — enter the life of the church through the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist
• Teach — serve and witness inspired by the Holy Spirit