About St. Thomas the Apostle · Cherry Valley, New York
St. Thomas the Apostle is a small Roman Catholic parish in Cherry Valley, New York, in the Diocese of Albany. The parish traces its roots to 1903 and worships in a historic white clapboard church at 1 Church Street, along the historic Great Western Turnpike. Today it shares its priestly ministry with nearby Blessed Sacrament parish in Springfield Center, and is served by a Parish Life Coordinator and visiting sacramental clergy. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10:00 AM, with confessions heard the half-hour before Mass.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle offers the warmth of a small, multigenerational Catholic community rooted in a historic Cherry Valley village and a 19th-century clapboard church. Worship is simple and traditional — a single Sunday Mass with confessions beforehand — and the parish shares its life with neighboring Blessed Sacrament and the wider 'Turnpike Catholic' family, so visitors and newcomers quickly become known by name. Lay leadership, including a long-serving Parish Life Coordinator, keeps the parish grounded in its rural Otsego County setting while drawing on shared sacramental clergy with sister parishes.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:30-10:00 AM (half-hour before Mass)
- By appointment
About St. Thomas the Apostle
St. Thomas the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Albany serving the small village of Cherry Valley in Otsego County, New York. The parish identifies itself as 'A Catholic Community Along The Great Western Turnpike,' and groups itself with neighboring parishes under the 'Turnpike Catholics' banner. Its mailing address is PO Box 246, Cherry Valley, NY 13320, while the Parish House sits at 24 Maple Avenue. Mass is offered every Sunday morning in the historic church at 1 Church Street.
- Diocese: Albany
- Rite: Roman (Latin)
- Established: 1903 (per GCatholic)
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM
- Patron: St. Thomas the Apostle (feast day July 3)
History
The parish was established in 1903 as a Catholic presence in rural Cherry Valley, worshipping in what is described as a modest white 19th-century clapboard church with eighteen pews. For most of its history the parish was led by diocesan priests, including Rev. Santino ('Father Sandy') Titta, who served St. Thomas together with Blessed Sacrament in Springfield Center for twelve years before retiring from active ministry in 2000. By the early 2000s the parish entered a period of transition tied to the Diocese of Albany's 'Called to BE Church' initiative, including a 2002 moment when Elizabeth Maloney became the first non-vowed woman in the diocese to co-administer a parish, working alongside retired Father John Roos as sacramental minister.
- 1903 — parish established
- Rev. Santino Titta — pastor alongside Blessed Sacrament for 12 years, retired 2000
- Early 2000s — 'Called to BE Church' transition period
- January 2002 — Elizabeth Maloney named pastoral life director
- July 2006 — Karen Walker begins as Parish Life Coordinator (continuing)
Parish Office, Staff & Contact
Day-to-day parish life is coordinated by lay staff rather than a resident priest, consistent with the Diocese of Albany's clustered-parish model. Phone messages and emails are handled at the Parish House, with calls taken during reasonable hours.
- Parish House: 24 Maple Avenue, Cherry Valley, NY 13320
- Mailing: PO Box 246, Cherry Valley, NY 13320
- Phone: (607) 264-3779
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Life Coordinator: Karen Walker (since July 2006)
- Past Sacramental Minister: Rev. John Roos (retired)
Sacraments
As a small clustered parish, St. Thomas prepares its members for the sacraments both locally and in cooperation with sister parishes in the Turnpike Catholic grouping. First Communion and Confirmation preparation draw on shared resources across the cluster, while Baptisms and Weddings are scheduled in coordination with the visiting sacramental priest.
- Eucharist (Sunday Mass)
- Reconciliation (before Mass / by appointment)
- Baptism
- Marriage
- First Communion
- Confirmation (cluster preparation)
Ministries & Parish Life
Lay leadership is central to life at St. Thomas. The Parish Life Coordinator shepherds community life, supported by a Prayer Line that any parishioner can join, and by a strong tradition of lectors and other liturgical volunteers. The parish is also linked to the Knights of Columbus St. Kateri Tekakwitha Council of Cherry Valley.
- Prayer Line — call the Parish Office to participate
- Lectors and liturgical volunteers
- Parish Council and trustees (referenced in diocesan coverage)
- Knights of Columbus — St. Kateri Tekakwitha Council
- Cluster faith formation with neighboring parishes
Catholic Social Teaching Resources
The parish website highlights themes from Catholic social teaching to guide parishioners' lives in their local communities. These themes frame the parish's understanding of Christian responsibility to the common good.
- Life and Dignity of the Human Person
- Care for God's Creation
- Family, Community & Participation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Santino Tittathrough 2000 (retirement)
Served simultaneously as pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, Cherry Valley, and Blessed Sacrament, Springfield Center, for 12 years. Ordained in Albany in 1960; golden jubilee in 2010. Founding member of the Knights of Columbus St. Kateri Tekakwitha Council of Cherry Valley. Died December 2012.
- Rev. John Roosuntil at least 2002
Retired priest serving as sacramental minister for St. Thomas the Apostle and Blessed Sacrament; traveled to say Sunday Mass and hear confessions.
- Elizabeth Maloneyfrom January 2002
Pastoral life director and first non-vowed woman in the Diocese of Albany to co-administer a parish.