About St. Paul · Franklin, New Hampshire
St. Paul Church is a Roman Catholic church located at 106 School Street in Franklin, New Hampshire. It is one of two associated worship sites of St. Gabriel Parish, the other being St. Mary of the Assumption Church in neighboring Tilton. Together they form a single parish family within the Diocese of Manchester, sharing pastors, staff, a bulletin, and ministries across both communities in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire. St. Gabriel Parish was formally established in 2013, joining the historic St. Paul congregation in Franklin with the Tilton parish community under one pastor. Today the parish offers weekend and weekday Masses at St. Paul, weekday Eucharistic adoration, regular confession, faith formation for children, and outreach through the Twin Rivers Food Pantry.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Antony Raja Antonymuthu, H.G.N. (Father Tony)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Manchester (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. Paul-St. Gabriel Parish is a small but active Catholic community serving Franklin, Tilton, and the surrounding Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Worshippers can take part in weekday and Sunday Masses at two historic churches, weekly Eucharistic adoration, and regular confession opportunities throughout the week. The parish runs a Sunday religious education program for children, supports a seminarian fund, hosts Knights of Columbus and parish fellowship activities (like the annual parish fair), and operates the Twin Rivers Food Pantry that feeds neighbors in need. It is a welcoming, traditional Roman Catholic community centered on the Eucharist and the call to live the Gospel in daily life.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM (St. Paul, Franklin)
- Friday 8:30–9:30 AM (St. Paul, Franklin)
- Tuesday 5:30–5:50 PM (per diocesan directory)
- Wednesday 8:30–9:00 AM
- Thursday 8:30–9:00 AM
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:45 PM at St. Paul's Church, followed by 6:00 PM Mass
About St. Paul & St. Gabriel Parish
St. Paul Church in Franklin, New Hampshire is part of St. Gabriel Parish, a Roman Catholic community in the Lakes Region of the Diocese of Manchester that brings together two historic worship sites: St. Paul Church in Franklin and St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Tilton. The parish was formally established in 2013 by the diocese, although the underlying parish corporation dates to 1946. Today the two churches share a pastor, staff, bulletin, faith formation program, and outreach ministries, while continuing to offer Masses and sacraments in both locations. The parish describes itself as a welcoming and traditional Roman Catholic community that holds to the call of Jesus to repentance and to believe in the Gospel, centered on the Eucharist as the heart of Catholic life.
- Parish: St. Gabriel Parish (Est. 2013)
- Diocese: Manchester
- Deanery: Lakes Region
- County: Merrimack
- Worship Sites: St. Paul Church (Franklin), St. Mary of the Assumption (Tilton)
History of the Parish
Catholic life in Franklin stretches back many decades; IRS records place the parish's incorporation year at 1946. In 2013, the Diocese of Manchester merged St. Paul's Franklin congregation with St. Mary's Tilton congregation under a single new entity, St. Gabriel Parish. Since then, the parish has been served by a succession of priests, including Rev. Raymond E. Gagnon (listed as pastor in 2017 bulletins), Rev. Adrian Frackowiak (Administrator before 2024), and currently Rev. Antony Raja Antonymuthu, H.G.N., who was assigned as Pastor on July 31, 2024 by Bishop Peter A. Libasci. The parish has retained the historic church buildings while building new ministries together across both communities.
- 1946 – Parish incorporation year (per IRS records)
- 2013 – St. Gabriel Parish established by Diocese of Manchester
- July 31, 2024 – Fr. Antony Raja Antonymuthu appointed Pastor
- Pastors/administrators have included Fr. Raymond E. Gagnon and Fr. Adrian Frackowiak
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently led by Rev. Antony Raja Antonymuthu, H.G.N., known as 'Father Tony,' who serves as Pastor of St. Gabriel Parish. He is assisted by Deacon Tom Matzke, a long-standing deacon of the parish. Deacon Dave Hemeon was assigned to St. Gabriel Parish following his ordination but was reassigned to St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Meredith effective October 29, 2025. Parish staff include the office manager, religious education coordinator (Mrs. Dzujna, DRE), music director (Debbi Gibson), and a facilities committee with lay leaders.
- Pastor: Rev. Antony Raja Antonymuthu, H.G.N. ([email protected])
- Deacon: Tom Matzke ([email protected])
- Deacon (recently transferred): Dave Hemeon
- Office: [email protected]
Devotions
The parish fosters a robust devotional life alongside the Mass schedule. The Rosary is prayed before morning Mass on Mondays and Thursdays. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited on Thursdays at 3:00 PM at St. Paul's Church, and on Sundays the Rosary is prayed 20 minutes before each Mass (8:00 AM and 10:00 AM).
- Rosary: Mon & Thu before 8:00 AM Mass
- Rosary: Sun 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM (before Mass)
- Divine Mercy Chaplet: Thu 3:00 PM at St. Paul's
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Gabriel Parish runs a Sunday religious education program for children, held from 9:00–10:15 AM in the convent/office building adjacent to the parish office at 110 School Street, Franklin. The program is coordinated by the Director of Religious Education (DRE), Mrs. Dzujna, who also coordinates Sacramental Preparation and the parish Safe Environment program. The parish bulletin regularly appeals for additional volunteers to help teach, and registration remains open. Sacramental preparation covers First Communion and Confirmation, and the parish maintains contact for those interested in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
- Sunday Religious Ed: 9:00–10:15 AM in the convent/office building
- DRE: Mrs. Dzujna ([email protected])
- Sacramental Prep & Safe Environment: [email protected]
- Volunteers welcomed – '2 hours on a Sunday morning'
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music Ministry at St. Paul-St. Gabriel Parish is led by Debbi Gibson and supports the sung liturgy at both worship sites. Other liturgical ministries include Lectors (coordinated by Tim Stangroom) and Sacristans, both of which are listed in the parish bulletin contacts. These lay ministries are essential to the celebration of Mass and other liturgies.
- Music Ministry: Debbi Gibson ([email protected])
- Lectors: [email protected]
- Sacristans: [email protected]
Parish Fellowship & Service Organizations
Beyond the liturgy, the parish hosts a lively set of fellowship and service groups. The Knights of Columbus council is active at the parish (contact Tim Stangroom). 'Knots' is a knitting and craft ministry ([email protected]). 'Friends of St. Gabriel' is a prayer group led by Marilee Horne that fields prayer requests from parishioners. The parish also runs an annual fundraising fair each November at the Boutin Center and supports the Heralds of Good News Seminarian Fund.
- Knights of Columbus – [email protected]
- Knots knitting group – [email protected]
- Friends of St. Gabriel – Marilee Horne (prayer requests)
- Annual Parish Fair (November) at the Boutin Center
- Heralds of Good News Seminarian Fund
Outreach: Twin Rivers Food Pantry
The Twin Rivers Food Pantry is one of the parish's signature outreach ministries, located at 2 Central Street in Franklin (lower level). The pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00–11:00 AM and Wednesdays 5:00–7:00 PM, serving residents of the Lakes Region regardless of parish membership. The pantry accepts non-perishable donations placed in the collection basket at St. Paul's main foyer and prepares special distributions around Thanksgiving and the holidays.
- Location: 2 Central St., Franklin (lower level)
- Phone: 603-934-2662
- Hours: Tue & Thu 9–11 AM, Wed 5–7 PM
- Needs: stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, instant mashed potatoes, soups, mac & cheese, tuna
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
The parish prepares and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms and Marriages are scheduled by calling the Parish Office, which arranges the necessary instruction and ceremony. The Anointing of the Sick is available to those who are ill or homebound; parishioners are encouraged to call the office to arrange a visit. Reconciliation is offered at multiple weekly times, and Eucharistic Adoration is held every Tuesday.
- Baptism – call Parish Office to schedule
- Marriage – call Parish Office to schedule
- Anointing of the Sick – request via the office
- Reconciliation – Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation
Parish Facilities Committee
A Parish Facilities Committee oversees the buildings and grounds at both worship sites. Chaired by Tim Stangroom with Marie MacMartin as Secretary, the committee includes subcommittees for Foundational Knowledge, State of St. Gabriel Property, State of Tilton Property, and a Parish Support survey. Members include Bob White, Jeannine Mettinen, Bob Desrochers, Martha Drennan, Elaine McGranaghan, Mark Lemire, Gerry Chenel, Joshua Roberts, George Dzujna, Bill Driscoll, Denise Gelina, Elise Driscoll, and Gabriel Walker. Day-to-day maintenance and cemetery care have historically been handled by Gary Plourde and Mike Parmelee.
- Chair: Tim Stangroom
- Secretary: Marie MacMartin
- Subcommittees: Foundational Knowledge, St. Gabriel Property, Tilton Property, Parish Support survey
Visiting, Location & Contact
St. Paul Church is located East of Central Street (Hwy. 3), on School Street in Franklin, NH, sharing its campus with the parish office at 110 School Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (per the current bulletin). The parish office can be reached at (603) 934-5013 or [email protected]. New parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed.
- Address: 106 School Street, Franklin, NH 03235 (church) / 110 School Street (office)
- Mailing: P.O. Box 490, Franklin, NH 03235-0490
- Phone: (603) 934-5013
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Raymond E. Gagnon
Pastor listed in 2017 parish bulletin
- Rev. Adrian Frackowiak
Administrator of St. Gabriel Parish before 2024
- Rev. Antony Raja Antonymuthu, H.G.N.2024–present
Assigned as Pastor effective July 31, 2024, by Bishop Peter A. Libasci; previously Parochial Vicar at the Parish of the Assumption, Dover