St. Vincent de Paul

History of St. Vincent de Paul Parish

St. Vincent de Paul parish was founded in 1840 to serve Irish laborers building the B&O Railroad and digging the C&O Canal. The church was dedicated on November 7, 1841 and is the oldest Catholic parish church in continuous use in Baltimore. The first pastor, Fr. John Baptist Gildea, is credited with designing the building and is buried beneath the main altar. The parish's most famous son is James Cardinal Gibbons. By the 1880s St. Vincent's was the largest parish in the Archdiocese with over 7,000 communicants, and the Italian immigrant congregation of that era left its mark in the grandeur of the 1890s renovation (the baldachino and etched-glass laylight). The 20th century brought the famous 'Printers' Masses' of the 1920s, then hard times and demographic change; the 1960s ushered in a wave of young activist parishioners and a leadership role in liturgical reform and social justice. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

• Founded 1840; church dedicated November 7, 1841
• Fifth Roman Catholic church built in Baltimore
• First pastor (and likely architect): Fr. John Baptist Gildea
• Most famous parishioner: James Cardinal Gibbons (1834–1921)
• Consecrated 1879 by Archbishop Gibbons — one of four American churches under direct Holy See protection
• 14 inscribed bells cast by Henry McShane of Baltimore in 1883

Mission Statement

The parish mission is rooted in Christ and describes itself as 'a radically inclusive community radiating God's love and compassion in Baltimore and beyond, challenging and nurturing every person to embrace and celebrate their divine potential.' Members respond to God's call to reflect the light and love of God, the mercy of Jesus Christ, and the grace of the Holy Spirit; to commit to love, serve, and challenge one another, to sustain the Earth and the poor and marginalized, and to be healing instruments of justice and peace; and to support the welcoming community, active participation in liturgy, and spiritual growth in scripture, sacraments, and community.

Sacrament Preparation

The parish prepares children and adults for the sacraments of initiation. Infant baptism is arranged through Fr. Evan Ponton, while adults prepare through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) with the Pastoral Associate. Children prepare for First Eucharist beginning around age seven, usually in second grade, through the Faith, Fun & Fellowship program, with First Eucharist celebrated on the Feast of Corpus Christi and First Reconciliation offered during a family Lenten service. Confirmation is now prepared for children aged nine and older (in line with the recent Archdiocesan change) and is celebrated at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on Pentecost. The parish follows all Archdiocese of Baltimore Office of Child and Youth Protection protocols.

• Baptism — Fr. Evan Ponton; OCIA via the Pastoral Associate
• First Eucharist — coordinator: Lindsay Dierkes (Family Ministry)
• First Reconciliation — Saturday Lenten family service
• Confirmation — coordinator: Lindsay Dierkes; celebrated at the Cathedral on Pentecost

Service, Justice & Outreach

Rooted in its baptismal call to be servant-leaders, St. Vincent's runs a wide range of ministries of accompaniment and service to its neighbors, and welcomes new volunteers. The parish is perhaps best known for The Resource Exchange (TRE), which since 2011 has set up households for people exiting homelessness, and for the Ministry of Witness and Accompaniment that centers the well-known 'Homeless Jesus' statue in St. Vincent Park. Breaking Bread with the Hungry serves dinner every Friday to over 100 guests in collaboration with Our Lady of the Fields and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the Monday Food Pantry, Men's Clothing Program, and Poor Box provide groceries, clothing, and emergency assistance to hundreds of city neighbors each year. The parish also partners with the neighborhood City Springs School, sending volunteers, 2,000+ books a year, and half its Annual Appeal rebate.

• The Resource Exchange (TRE) — household set-ups for people exiting homelessness (since 2011)
• Breaking Bread with the Hungry — Friday community dinner (100+ guests)
• Monday Food Pantry — groceries + 200+ Christmas meal baskets
• Men's Clothing Program — twice monthly
• Poor Box — emergency assistance (eviction, utilities, prescriptions, travel, dental, sober housing)
• City Springs School — volunteers, books, and half the Annual Appeal rebate
• Friends of St. Vincent Park and the 'Homeless Jesus' statue

Children, Youth & Family

St. Vincent's welcomes children everywhere in the sanctuary and reserves two areas of the church for families with small children. The 10 AM Sunday liturgy includes a Children's Liturgy of the Word. Children prepare for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation through Faith, Fun & Fellowship, a faith-formation program that meets after 9:30 Mass twice a month. Vacation Bible School is normally held in late July with a Scripture-based, interactive week of crafts, games, songs, and a concluding liturgy planned by the children. High School Faith Formation is also offered.

• Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 10 AM Sunday Mass
• Faith, Fun & Fellowship (children's faith formation)
• First Eucharist & First Reconciliation preparation
• Liturgy of the Word for Kids
• Vacation Bible School (late July)
• High School Faith Formation
• Family Ministry Coordinator: Lindsay Dierkes

Worship, Liturgy & Music

Worship is central to parish life. Saturday 6 PM is described as a quiet liturgy with time for meditation and reflection, while the 10 AM Sunday Mass is the larger contemporary liturgy with full choir and is live-streamed. The church is fully accessible (wheelchair seating throughout, FM hearing loop, gluten-free hosts available on request, sign-language interpretation at the 10 AM Mass). Lay liturgical ministries include Lectors, Liturgy Planners, Eucharistic Ministry, Choir, Altar Dressers, and the Altar Bible program.

• Lectors, Liturgy Planners, Eucharistic Ministry
• Choir (full choir at 10 AM Sunday)
• Altar Dressers and Altar Bible
• Homilies archive (2007–2015) and Sunday Scripture Reflections by parishioners

Faith Formation & Education

The Education & Enrichment Committee plans, coordinates, and schedules ongoing events related to faith formation and the strengthening of the community. It meets six times a year and is open to all parishioners. The parish also hosts the ALIVE community (an LGBT+ affirming ministry) and other adult enrichment programs, alongside Adult Scripture Reflections written by parishioners.

• Education & Enrichment Committee — co-chairs John Moore and Liz Hasan
• Six meetings per year; open to all parishioners
• Sunday Scripture Reflections by parishioners
• ALIVE (LGBT+ affirming ministry)
• Documentaries, Movies & Articles

Community & Pastoral Care

The Pastoral Care Group ministers to the sick, elderly, homebound, bereaved, dying, caregivers, those in crisis, and helps form support groups. It sends letters and cards of support to families of the newly baptized and reaches out by phone or mail to parishioners who have been away. Other community life groups include Women in Ministry, Married Couples, the Hospitality Team, the parish Email Tree, Sister Parishes, BRIDGE, Beyond The Boundaries, and the Racial Equity: We Have a Dream initiative.

• Pastoral Care coordinator: Cathy Bunting, 410-296-4685
• Visits to sick, elderly, homebound, and bereaved
• Women in Ministry, Married Couples, Hospitality Team
• Sister Parishes, BRIDGE, Beyond The Boundaries
• Racial Equity: We Have a Dream

Parish Administration & Committees

The parish is led by the pastor, Parish Council, and a network of committees. The Finance Committee (chair Mark Palmer; vice-chair Jack Schmidt) advises on fund-raising and verifies financial records under Canon 537. The Facilities Committee and St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery committee care for parish property. The Parish Council maintains minutes and annual reports going back to 2011, all available on the website.

• Parish Council — minutes and annual reports 2011–present
• Finance Committee — Mark Palmer (chair), Jack Schmidt (vice-chair)
• Facilities and Cemetery committees
• St. Vincent de Paul Historic Trust, Inc. (see below)

St. Vincent de Paul Historic Trust, Inc.

Established to manage an endowment that preserves the historic fabric of the 1841 church, the Historic Trust, Inc. is a separate corporation from the parish. Its board includes the pastor, the pastoral associate, the President of the Parish Council, and the Chair of the Finance Committee as ex officio members, plus six members drawn from Baltimore's financial and historic-preservation communities. Funds generated from the endowment support the renovation and structural maintenance of the historic building, and the Trust undergoes an annual independent audit.

• Chair of the Board: Dan McCarthy
• Chair of Finance: Edward Dunn III
• Secretary: Colleen McCahill
• Contact: Parish Office 410-962-5078

Accessibility & Inclusion

The parish emphasizes radical inclusion. Every part of the church, rectory, undercroft, and meeting rooms is wheelchair accessible, with multiple wheelchair spaces among the pews. The 10 AM Sunday Mass is sign-language interpreted for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and an FM hearing-assist loop is available for many hearing aids. Gluten-free hosts are available on request. Children are welcome everywhere; two areas in the sanctuary are reserved for families with small children.

• Wheelchair accessible throughout (church, rectory, undercroft, meeting rooms)
• Sign-language interpretation at 10 AM Sunday Mass
• FM hearing-assist loop
• Gluten-free hosts available on request
• Children's Liturgy of the Word and family seating areas

Visiting & Getting Involved

Parishioners are encouraged to bring ideas for new ministries: the parish says 'if you've got a good idea, we'll help you bring it to fruition.' Sunday Scripture Reflections are written by parishioners, and the parish email tree, Hospitality Team, and Parish Council minutes keep members informed. A virtual tour of the church is available on the website.

• Parish E-Newsletter sign-up
• Virtual tour of the church on the website
• Hospitality Team, Parish Email Tree
• Open invitation to all parish committees