About St. Richard · Danvers, Massachusetts
St. Richard of Chichester is a Roman Catholic parish in Danvers, Massachusetts, part of the Archdiocese of Boston. Founded on February 27, 1963, when Cardinal Richard Cushing authorized a second Catholic parish in Danvers, it has served generations of North Shore families from its home on Forest Street. Today St. Richard is in a parish collaborative with its sister parish, St. Mary of the Annunciation, in downtown Danvers, sharing clergy, staff, and faith-formation programs while keeping its own identity and worship life. The parish is named for Saint Richard of Chichester, a 13th-century English bishop known for his prayer 'Day by Day,' which has become a touchstone of parish devotion.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- Saint Richard of Chichester
- Rector
- Rev. Michael J. Doyle
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Richard of Chichester is a welcoming North Shore Catholic community rooted in the prayer and example of its 13th-century patron saint — 'Day by Day.' As part of the Danvers Catholic Collaborative with St. Mary of the Annunciation, the parish offers multiple Sunday and weekday Masses, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, regular Confession, faith formation for children and youth, youth ministry, music ministry, and outreach such as supporting the Danvers People-to-People Food Pantry. Visitors can register with the parish, take part in parish council and volunteer committees, and join more than two decades of community life on Forest Street.
Mass times at St. Richard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45–4:15 PM at St. Richard of Chichester
- Or by appointment — call (978) 774-7575
Adoration times
- Monthly Eucharistic Adoration: 12:30–2:30 PM on the 2nd Sunday of each month at St. Richard's (per collaborative schedule)
History of St. Richard of Chichester Parish
St. Richard of Chichester was founded on February 27, 1963, when Cardinal Richard Cushing, Archbishop of Boston, authorized a second Catholic parish in Danvers. Before the parish had its own building, parishioners raised funds for four years and gathered for Mass in the gym of St. Mary of the Annunciation School. The chapel on Forest Street, with three stained glass windows depicting the parish's threefold ministry of teach, preach, and serve the poor, has been its spiritual home ever since. The parish marked its 50th anniversary in 2012–2013 with a year of events built around the theme 'Remember the past, celebrate the present, and believe in the future.'
- Founded February 27, 1963 by Cardinal Cushing
- First worship held at St. Mary of the Annunciation School gym
- Three stained glass windows depict 'teach, preach, serve the poor'
- More than 2,400 families registered by 2013
- 50th anniversary theme song: 'Day by Day'
Danvers Catholic Collaborative
St. Richard is partnered with St. Mary of the Annunciation in the Danvers Catholic Collaborative. Under this arrangement the two parishes share pastoral leadership and some staff and programs but retain their own buildings, Mass schedules, and parish identities. Together they offer Sunday Masses at four weekend times and daily Masses on weekdays.
- Pastoral partnership formed during the Archdiocese of Boston's parish reorganization
- Each parish retains its own identity, buildings, and Sunday schedule
- Shared faith formation and Catholic school programs
- Shared collaborative staff and bulletin
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The collaborative's religious education program, branded 'Walking with Jesus,' serves families with school-age children from both St. Mary's and St. Richard's. The program prepares children for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation and is coordinated through the parish offices.
- Program name: Walking with Jesus
- Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation
- Open to families registered in either collaborative parish
Catholic School Collaboration
Through the Danvers Catholic Collaborative, St. Richard families participate in the parish-supported Catholic elementary school associated with St. Mary of the Annunciation. The schools' logo contest for the St. Richard 50th anniversary was won by seventh-graders Emily Graumann and Ryan Jackson of St. Mary of the Annunciation School.
- St. Mary of the Annunciation School serves collaborative families
- Logo contest winners in 2012–2013: Emily Graumann and Ryan Jackson
Youth Ministry
Youth ministry is staffed across the collaborative by Marissa Morrison and Colleen Mulholland, who work with middle-school and high-school parishioners of both parishes. Programming complements religious education and sacramental preparation, helping young parishioners stay connected to parish life.
- Youth Ministry staff: Marissa Morrison and Colleen Mulholland
- Serves both St. Mary's and St. Richard's families
Liturgy and Music
Liturgy and music are coordinated for the collaborative by Maura Lynch. Parishioners frequently note the parish's strong music program, which supports Sunday Masses and special liturgies and is a hallmark of worship at St. Richard of Chichester.
- Liturgy & Music Director: Maura Lynch
- Music ministry highlighted in visitor reviews
Parish Staff and Clergy
St. Richard of Chichester is led by its pastor, Rev. Michael J. Doyle, together with two permanent deacons and a collaborative staff that includes operations, music, and youth ministry personnel. The staff at 90 Forest Street serves both St. Richard's and St. Mary of the Annunciation.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael J. Doyle
- Deacon John F. Koza
- Deacon Stephen J. Powers
- Operations: Norma Haddad
- Liturgy and Music: Maura Lynch
- Youth Ministry: Marissa Morrison and Colleen Mulholland
Outreach and Community Life
St. Richard of Chichester is well known for parish-wide fellowship and outreach, including its signature support of the Danvers People-to-People Food Pantry — raising 11,000 pounds of food in a single year around the time of its 50th anniversary. Annual spaghetti suppers, family days, Valentine marriage celebrations, candy bingo, and community coffee after morning Mass have built a strong intergenerational culture rooted in the prayer of St. Richard of Chichester.
- Danvers People-to-People Food Pantry — 11,000 lbs raised in anniversary year
- Annual spaghetti suppers and family days
- Coffee after morning Mass
- Candy Bingo, Marriage celebration Mass, holiday concerts
Fr. Gerard L. Dorgan Scholarship
The collaborative maintains the Fr. Gerard L. Dorgan Scholarship for parishioners pursuing further education. Applications are made through the parish office.
- Open to parishioners of the collaborative
- Applications through the parish office
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
St. Richard's parish office is at 90 Forest Street, Danvers, MA 01923, and can be reached at (978) 774-7575. Visitors are encouraged to register with the parish, attend Mass, and join the many volunteer committees and ministries that sustain parish life. The Sunday 9:00 AM Mass is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 90 Forest Street, Danvers, MA 01923-1806
- Phone: (978) 774-7575
- Website: http://www.stricharddanvers.org/
- Facebook: facebook.com/StRichardsDanvers
- Sunday 9:00 AM Mass livestreamed online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bruce Flannagancirca 1999–at least 2013
Led the parish for 14+ years by the 50th anniversary in 2013, with over 2,400 families. He was pastor during the 2012–2013 'Remember, Celebrate, Believe' 50th anniversary celebration.
- Rev. Michael J. Doylecurrent (as of 2026)
Current pastor of the Danvers Catholic Collaborative per the Boston Catholic Directory listing.