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Statue of St. Patrick in the Church

St. Patrick's R.C. Church

Our History

The Early Years to Today

Saint Patrick's of Smithown has a long and exciting history.  From a small group of new settlers gathering to celebrate the Mass in local homes the parish has grown to our new church and school servicing the needs of over 5000 families. It is a story a community in love with her faith.

A Newsday article, in the "Long Island: Our Story" describes the beginning of the Catholic Faith on Long Island and has a mention of our parish.  Read it here

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About St. Patrick's

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church is located in Smithtown, NY, and serves over 5,000 families in the area.  The Parish belongs to the Diocese of Rockville Center and is part of the Smithhaven Deanery in the Central Vicariate.  You can visit the web sites of our neighboring parishes .
Check here for postings of events in and around our community that may be of interest to our parishioners. If you know of such an event, please let us know, so that we can post it.
You are invited to dedicate a Pro-Life Rose for any intention and aid this vital ministry.
This week’s Pro-Life Rose is dedicated in loving memory of:
Amanda Rose

Small Faith Direct small Ad.
CHURCH CODE: NY51

Faith Direct can offer members of the St. Patrick's famiily an easy and convenient way to manage their support for the parish.

Sign up now with some of our St. Patrick Youth Summer Programs and enjoy some summer fun, fellowship and faith!
Camp St. Patrick
Vacation Bible School
Baseball
Basketball
Softball
Kickline
Summer Adventures
and more.....
Playtime with Mommy

Playtime with Mommy

If you are a parent or caregiver for a youngster ages 1 1/2 to 3, join us at Playtime with Mommy
Dads, grandparents, etc. also more than welcome.  The program is held Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 AM and Thursdays from 1-2 PM.
For more information, call the Youth Office at 360-0185.
Cathoic Schools - Characters, Compassion, Values

Are You Considering Catholic Education?

St. Patrick School serves students and their families in nursery school through eighth grade.  The mission of the school is to provide for the safety, education, and gradual growth of the whole child; spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. 
For more information, call 724- 0285, visit the St. Patrick School web site at www.sps-smithtown.org or mark your calendar for the school’s open house on Sunday, January 27th from 1-3 PM.
Service Volunteers graphic

We are looking for a coordinator for our Small Christian Communities, a volunteer position.

There are many other service opportunities in both the church and the greater community at large.  Please look here to see where you can make a difference.


 

 

St. Patrick Youth
Community

Fall Programs
Registrations Being Taken For:
Enrichment:
   Before and After Care
   Hands-on Learning
Fall Sports:
   Deck Hockey / CYO Basketball
   Prep Courses:
   Catholic HS Entrance Exam
   SAT Prep
For more informaiton visit
www.stpatsyouth.com
or call 360-0185.
Cell Phone

Wanted: Used Cell Phones

Do you have an old cell phone at home collecting dust?  Your donation of used cell phones can benefit our community, our environment and our parish.  Just look for our cell phone disposal boxes located at the church exits. Batteries, chargers and other wireless accessories may also be donated.

St Patrick's of Smithtown

Our History

(Taken from the 2002

St. Patrick's 50th Anniversary Journal)

 

The Early Years

In the early 1830s, a handful of Catholic families made their way to the Smithtown area.  Burns, Fisher, Haggerty, Cumminsky, Laughlin, McGinley and Dohahue are the names listed for these early Long Island settlers (the list varies slightly according to the source(.  Their efforts to make Smithtown their home were thwarted by townspeople who refused to sell or give land to Catholics.  Nearby Hauppauge was more hospitable and the Catholic settlers made their new home at the present site of St. Patrick Cemetary on Mount Pleasant Road.

While the area could offer them land, it could not offer them a Catholic Church or a priest.  The new settlers missed the Mass and the Sacraments.  They petitioned the Most Rev. John DuBois, the third Bishop of New York, to send them a priest.  Their request marked the beginning of what is today St. Patrick Parish.

The initial response to the petition was the sending of priests to take a census of Catholics living on Long Island.  One of the first priests to minister to the scattered Catholic poplation on Long Island was the Rev. John Walsh, pastor of St. james Church on Jay Street in Brooklyn.  He was followed by Fr. James O'Donnell, OSA, and Fr. Nicholas O'Donnell, OSA.

The first St. Patrick's Church after it was moved to the other side of Mount Pleasant Road to make room for the second church in 1874.
First St. Patrick's Church after it was moved

In the early years, Mass was celebrated at the Fisher farmhouse.  Eventually, a small church was built.  The structure resembled a cabin and measured 25 feet by 25 feet - one story and an attic.  Inside, the simple church contained hemlock boards, without backs, which served as pews.  The Fisher family provided both the building and the property.  At the time, this was the only Catholic church between St. Andrew's in Sag Harbor and St. Monica's in Jamaica, Queens.  The church was dedicated on St. Patrick's Day - March 17th, 1840 - by Bishop John Hughes of New York.

In 1843, an addition was built on the church.  One set of vestments was used and a small projection of the structure's southwest corner served as a confessional and a sacristy.  In the decade that followed the dedication of the small church, Mass was celebrated approximately two or three times a year.  Sometimes a priest would come from St. James Church in Brooklyn.  Often it was Fr. Michael Curren, who was stationed in Flushing.  Fr. Curren made the arduous trip to the eastern reaches of Long Island (as far as Greenport) on a regular basis, traveling on horseback.  St. Patrick was one of several mission churches of the Flushing parish.  Other priests would do the same in the years to come.

The second St. Patrick's Church on Mount Pleasant Road.  Built in 1974 and destroyed by fire in 1927.
Second St. Patrick's Church before 1927

As the years went by, the Catholic population in the area grew and the little church became too small for its congregation.  In 1874, Rev. Peter Kearney built a new church near the old one and eventually had the first St. Patrick Church moved across the road.  Fr. Kearney stayed in Hauppauge from 1885 to 1887.  living in "the first house on the road south of the church. 

Continued on next page...

This article was orginally published in the
St. Patrick R.C. Church 50th Anniversary Journal, 2002.

Sources of information used in compiling the history of St. Patrick Church included:

  • Smithtown, NY, 1660-1929, Looking Back Through the Lense, by Noel Gish, 1996.
  • The History of Smithtown, by J. lawrence Smith, 1882.
  • Sts. Philip and james Church, 1907-1982, 75 Years of Service, 1982.
  • St. Patrick Church, Silver Jubilee 195201977 1977.
  • Our Heritage, Our Stewardship, our Legacy, (St. Patrick Church 40th Anniversary Journal), 1982.
  • And, the memories of our parishioners. A special thanks to Margaret Minder, Robert Morlath, Elizabeth Radau, Maureen Rienzo and Marilyn Webster.
St. Patrick R.C. Church
280 East Main Street
Smithtown, NY 11787

Mass Times

Today's Mass Readings
Weekdays:
6:45am, 9:00am, 12:10pm
Saturday:
9:00am, 5:00pm, 8:00pm
Sunday:
7:30am, 9:00am,
10:30am, 12:00pm
5:00pm
Main Rectory Phone #: 631-265-2271
Jesus with the little children
Updated information on the schedule for times & events for your child's class.  And a complete calendar for the current school year.

Parish Social Ministry

St Patrick's Parish Outreach Logo

Social Ministry

What is Parish Outreach

A helping hand when you can’t cope with an emergency; food, financial assistance, housing, employment in crisis situations when resources are available;  A smiling visitor when you are shut-in for an extended period;  ....(read more)

We are only a phone call away. Please call 265-2668, Monday - Friday, 9 AM to 3

If you know adults who: Can’t care for themselves - Are at risk of harm - Have no one to help . . . . . You can help.  Please call: Adult Protective Services Bureau - Suffolk County Dept. of Social Services at 654-3195, 3196, or 3197, RESPONSE 24 Hour Hotline at 751-7500, VIBS at 360-3606.  Your information will be kept strictly confidential. ....(read more)

Mass For The Dead
As the 6:45 AM Mass will be celebrated during July and August, there are a number of Mass intentions now available.
Stop by the Rectory to order Masses for your departed loved ones.  Please note that the Mass Book fills quickly.
 
Friday, August 1st
First Friday of the Month
From the 12:10 PM Mass until 3:30 PM.  The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at 3:00PM.  Please join us as we adore our Lord Jesus.
 
Saturday, August 2nd
8:15 AM

Join us in praying the Rosary.

Pro-Life Family Hosts A

Monthly Holy Hour

Sacred heart of Jesus Sacred Heart of Mary
Adoration - Thanksgiving
Reparation - Petition

Tuesday, August 19th
7:30 to 8:30 PM in the church

Gift From God Baby
Pro-Life Family
Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, August 26th
St. Patrick School
Room 103 at 7:30 PM
St. Patrick's Pro-Life Family invites you to join us for our monthly meeting.  Please come and unite with us as we witness to the sanctity of Life.
Nocturnal Adoration Society

Saturday, August 16th
after the 8 PM Mass.

Join us for a night of prayer in front of the Sacred Sacrament. 

All singles are invigted to refreshments & conversation
Sunday, July 20th
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
(after the 9 AM Mass)
Cost: $2.00
Happy Anniversary
Married in August?
Please join us at the
Sunday, August 3rd,
Noon Mass.
All couples are invited to renew their vows and recieve a special blessing. 
bottle gifts for babies

Don't Forget
Your Bottle Money

The 4th Weekend of the Month

Please recycle your bottle and cans and donate the money to the worthy cause of helping mothers and their babies in need.  Look for the Pink Baby Bottle banks at the church exits.
Collection Box

The first weekend of the month, we will have the offering for the Hungry and homeless.  Please look for the Hungry & Homeless boxes at the church exits and be generous in sharing God’ blessings.

Cathoic Schools - Characters, Compassion, Values

Are You Considering Catholic Education?

St. Patrick School serves students and their families in nursery school through eighth grade.  The mission of the school is to provide for the safety, education, and gradual growth of the whole child; spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. 
For more information, call 724- 0285, visit the St. Patrick School web site at www.sps-smithtown.org or mark your calendar for the school’s open house on Sunday, January 27th from 1-3 PM.
 

© 2008 St. Patrick's Parish
280 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
(631) 265 - 2271