St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Mary's Catholic Church
4.5
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
About
St. Mary’s Church in Newport, R.I. was the setting for the wedding of Jacqueline Lee Bouvier and then-Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy, on September 12, 1953. The beautiful and historic church is home to Rhode Island’s oldest Catholic parish, which was established in 1828. Saint Mary’s, designed in the Gothic Revival style by renowned Irish-born architect, Patrick C. Keely, was dedicated in 1852 to “The Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle,” and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. The church is open for prayer and visitation most days during the 2022 summer: Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the website for further information.
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4.5
212 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
49
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10
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RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,749 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
On the morning of June 5th, we were pleased to be able to visit and tour St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newport. There is no charge to do this, although donations are always welcome.
St. Mary's Church, officially the Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle, is a historic Catholic parish church complex at 14 William Street, in Newport, Rhode Island. It is the church of the oldest Catholic parish in the state. The church is also notable for hosting the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and Senator, later President, John F. Kennedy in 1953.
The church was built in 1848–52 to the design of renowned Brooklyn architect Patrick C. Keely. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
St. Mary's Church, officially the Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle, is a historic Catholic parish church complex at 14 William Street, in Newport, Rhode Island. It is the church of the oldest Catholic parish in the state. The church is also notable for hosting the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and Senator, later President, John F. Kennedy in 1953.
The church was built in 1848–52 to the design of renowned Brooklyn architect Patrick C. Keely. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
Written 21 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Disneybus
Pittsgrove, NJ914 contributions
Jun 2023
This is a beautiful church, wrought with the history of the 1953 Bouvier - Kennedy wedding. The church was established as the first Catholic parish in Rhode Island in 1828. Its stained glass windows, pipe organ, and sanctuary are stunning. The church is recognized on the national register of historic places. My wife and I were fortunate to attend an 11:00AM Sunday mass, sitting a few rows in front of pew #10 - the Kennedy pew. The church was filled, and it's clear that it's a vibrant community. The choir with the pipe organ was wonderful. No need to be Catholic to be moved by this church and its history. There's a large photo of the Kennedys on their wedding day in the rear of the church with a nice tribute message. "We celebrate the past to awaken the future.”
Written 18 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryKateFinNI19
Virginia917 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
We were visiting the area for Easter holidays and went to the Saturday night vigil. The Church was beautiful and throughout the service it was peaceful and calm. A wonderful experience for us to add to our religious journey in life. Thank you. The congregation were most welcoming.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RBW
Kentucky2 contributions
Sept 2021
St. Mary's Church did not disappoint. The history and unique architecture added to the richness of the experience. The priest's homily, friendly ushers and welcoming atmosphere completed our trip. We were fortunate to celebrate mass on the 68th wedding anniversary of President and Jackie Kennedy.
Written 16 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnP23
Villanova, PA148 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
This historic church is a pleasure to visit. Covid restricted access. But attended during mass and met Pastor, Fr Kris. What a tremendous person to take care of this church. Glad to meet him and visit
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sedum37
Boston, MA1,256 contributions
St Mary's Catholic Church located on Memorial Blvd is an interesting, historical church to see. John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in St. Mary's Church in Newport on September 12, 1953. It has a lovely interior in the style of second period Gothic architecture. The Saturday evening Mass is well attended by tourists and locals alike. If you attend Mass you can walk up to two very good italian restaurants: Sardellas and Puerini's. Both are right next to each other on Memorial Blvd. Note there is free parking at the church during Mass times but the gates are locked after the Mass so you must move your car out of the parking lot.
Written 29 August 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AprMay22
Rhode Island101 contributions
An average Roman Catholic church that happens to be the site of President John F. Kennedy's wedding, so they post a sign indicating there is a charge to sit in the pew for a mass? I've never seen that in any Catholic church before.
Written 28 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am a parishioner at St. Marys and not sure what you are referring to. There is no charge to sit any where in St. Mary's, including where the Kennedys sat while attending mass at the church.
Written 4 June 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marty Bielicki
Stuart, FL15,493 contributions
Oct 2019
This Roman Catholic Church was made famous when in 1953 Senator John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier. It is easy to find as it is on a main avenue, Memorial Blvd.
Even though smaller than the European counterparts, it is quite beautiful with the very high ceilings and all the stained glass. There is a certain elegant ambiance about St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s was constructed over a hundred years later—1848-- from the other historic church in Newport, Trinity Church. Visiting both churches would be a worthy and fulfilling.
It was an easy walk from Newport’s harbor area to find St. Mary’s. If you continue on Memorial Blvd, you will come to the beginning of Newport’s famous three and a half mile “Cliff Walk.” There is plenty of see in Newport besides the famous mansions.
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Even though smaller than the European counterparts, it is quite beautiful with the very high ceilings and all the stained glass. There is a certain elegant ambiance about St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s was constructed over a hundred years later—1848-- from the other historic church in Newport, Trinity Church. Visiting both churches would be a worthy and fulfilling.
It was an easy walk from Newport’s harbor area to find St. Mary’s. If you continue on Memorial Blvd, you will come to the beginning of Newport’s famous three and a half mile “Cliff Walk.” There is plenty of see in Newport besides the famous mansions.
If you found this review to be “helpful” in any way, please press “LIKE” to let me know.
Written 20 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorldTravellerMan
Baltimore, MD268 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
Everyone in Newport knows that St. Mary's is where JFK and Jackie were married, but a visit to St. Mary's is more than a nostalgic experience for die-hard Kennedy fans. The interior of the church is tranquil and beautiful. I often stop by just to sit and admire the stained glass windows and the woodwork.
St. Mary's is especially refreshing to one's spirit on a hot summer weekend, when the crowded streets outside seem a world away.
St. Mary's is especially refreshing to one's spirit on a hot summer weekend, when the crowded streets outside seem a world away.
Written 12 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sparky9109
Providence, RI87 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
St Mary's is a fine old Catholic church. John Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier got married here. Jackie spent much of her childhood just down the road at Hammersmith Farm. If you like churches it is a fine example and considered by some to be quite beautiful. It was the first catholic parish in Rhode Island. A fine place to stop and consider how the world would have been but for an assassin's bullet.
Written 8 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is St. Mary’s Church walking distance from where the cruise ships come into Newport, or will I need a taxi if I want to go to Mass on Sunday?
Written 18 April 2020
We will be on a cruise that stops in Newport. Is the church open for visitors in the afternoon, about 1-3pm?
Written 23 July 2017
During the summer, the church is only open on Tuesday's from 3-4pm for the return to Camelot program and on Sundays at 3pm for an organ recital.
Thank you for your interest
Written 24 July 2017
is this church open just to see the inside? where do you park?
Written 7 July 2017
Due to security and safety concerns, the church is only open during mass times, for the Sundays in Summer afternoon organ concerts at 3pm and the Return to Camelot - a remembrance of the Kennedy wedding - each Tuesday at 3pm from July-November.
Parking for these events is on William St. adjacent to the church.
Written 12 July 2017
How much is the performance and where do you get tickets?
Written 6 July 2015
Tickets are $15 and proceeds benefit the St. Mary's Soup Kitchen and Music Program. Tickets are available at the Newport Visitors Center and Bowens Wharf or on line at Return to Camelot.
Written 6 July 2015
Hi! I will be in Newport for the weekend of May 16 and need to attend mass, how far is St. Mary' s Church from the Hyatt Hotel in Goat Island? Thank you!!!
Written 30 April 2015
St. Mary's is in downtown Newport at Spring Street and Memorial Blvd. The Hyatt Hotel has regular shuttle service to downtown.
Masses are Sunday mornings and weekdays at 7:30am.
Each Tuesday at 3pm, St. Mary's is open for a "Return to Camelot" presentation featuring vintage film clips and live music and song from the Kennedy wedding held at the church on September 12, 1953
Written 4 June 2015
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