by Katie Vasquez
For 175 years, St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Carroll Gardens has served as a spiritual home for generations of Brooklyn Catholics while extending its mission beyond the church walls through charitable outreach.
The parish, founded in 1851 and celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, traces its roots to Irish immigrants who settled in Brooklyn before the Diocese of Brooklyn was established.
“It was started in 1851 with its first Mass in 1855,” said Monsignor Guy Massie, administrator of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. “At that time it was an immigrant community of Irish immigrants. It was part of the Archdiocese of New York, so it even predates the Diocese of Brooklyn. As a result, it helped many people get established in this country.”
Today, Carroll Gardens is known for its soaring real estate values, with median home prices approaching $2 million. Despite the neighborhood’s affluence, parish leaders say the need for charitable assistance remains significant.
“We kind of have a policy where no matter if you’re employed, unemployed, unhoused, housed, any race, religion or status, you could come and get anything you like, no questions asked,” said parish manager Akeem Cahoon. “If you need something, we’re here to give it.”
Twice each month, parish volunteers prepare about 600 ham-and-cheese and peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches. The meals are donated to CHiPS, a Park Slope nonprofit that provides meals and support services to people experiencing food insecurity.
“Once you get there, you see the breadth of people that we’re feeding,” parishioner Cathy McDermott said. “We’re not just feeding people who are homeless. We’re feeding people who don’t have jobs, who still can’t really make ends meet. It’s a remarkable thing, and it’s a well-needed thing.”
Following the arrival of thousands of migrants to New York City in recent years, the parish partnered with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to transform unused parish space into a free thrift shop designed to preserve the dignity of those seeking assistance.
“They asked us, ‘We want to be able to distribute clothing to people in a way that respects their dignity,'” said thrift shop manager Mary Carriero. “‘We want to set it up as a store. It’s free, but we want them to browse, select and pick.'”
As the parish reflects on nearly two centuries of ministry, parishioners say its commitment to serving others remains as strong as ever.
“We are so proud of our parish and the fact that we’re small but mighty,” McDermott said.
Cahoon said the parish continues “providing a good service to the community” while remaining welcoming to all.
“Being Catholic, you want to follow Jesus,” Carriero said. “Where you find Jesus is at the margins. So this is where Jesus calls us to be.”
Massie said outreach has long been central to the parish’s identity.
“I think a charism of St. Mary’s parish is reaching out to help those who are in need and to serve the community, both in the sacraments and the Word of God and through good works,” he said.
St. Mary Star of the Sea Church will commemorate its 175th anniversary with a special anniversary Mass on Sept. 27.