The history of St. Anthony of Padua began in 1948 when Rev. Myron J. Purick, Pastor of St. Philip Neri parish, purchased 9 acres of property on Cheshire Place. Prior to the establishment of our Parish, Catholics from the East Northport community were members of St. Philip Neri parish in Northport. Members celebrated Sunday Mass in the old East Northport Firehouse on Larkfield Road. It soon became apparent that the firehouse would not be adequate to accommodate the spiritual needs of our fast growing community. In August of 1948, plans were put in place to build a mission chapel that was built on the present grounds of St. Anthony of Padua. It should be noted that during the construction of the chapel, many parishioners and local farmers provided their time, talent and tractors to help complete the task of grading and landscaping the parish grounds. Little did these volunteers know that, more than sixty years later, their volunteer efforts would still be an inspiration and example for the zeal of today’s parishioners, who volunteer their time and talents in over 60 lay ministries.

The influx of residents in the East Northport area increased the Catholic community tenfold, prompting the June 1951 declaration by Bishop Molloy of the Brooklyn Diocese that St. Anthony of Padua would become a new parish, separate and distinct from St. Philip Neri, and would serve as the parish for the community of East Northport. The Reverend Sylvester McGee was appointed founding pastor of our parish, where he served from 1951-1968.

In May of 1958, St. Anthony of Padua erected a school and an auditorium and, in August of 1958, the Sisters of St. Joseph officially arrived to teach in the school. In 1962, the Convent building was completed to house the Sisters. Due to the rapid growth of the parish, the original small wooden mission chapel was removed in order to construct the church that now stands. In June of 1966, the new church was completed.

Over the past 70 years, our parish has grown as a wonderful life-filled community of people who are called together by the Word of God and United in Christ. We are fortunate to have many founding parishioners still living and worshiping here, a living memory of all that has been achieved here through a strong, dedicated, and visionary faith. Through their faith and sacrificial determination, we are able to worship today in what is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful churches in all of Long Island. As we move forward, we are still building on the solid foundation laid by those first parishioners sixty years ago.

Photos at St. Anthony of Padua have been taken by the St. Veronica Society. Named after the woman who wiped the face of Jesus, the St. Veronica Society captures the beautiful moments of our parish life.

Check out the incredible moments captured at St. Anthony's on our Flickr Account.

Mission Statement:

Saint Anthony of Padua Parish is a welcoming, loving Catholic community, centered in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit. Together we celebrate the liturgy in prayer and sacrament; we educate our children and adults in the faith; we support and reach out to those in need. We believe the Holy Spirit is calling us to continue: to love one another as Jesus loves us, to share the word of God and to serve both within and beyond our Parish family.

Creed

"Our profession of faith begins with God, for God is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end of everything. The Credo begins with God the Father, for the Father is the first divine person of the Most Holy Trinity; our Creed begins with the creation of heaven and earth, for creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God's works." ---the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 198

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,  begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has  spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre makes up the Roman Catholic Church on Long Island. As a sacramental community, we are one with the Catholic Church throughout the world, while here at home we are united under our Diocesan Bishop, Bishop John O. Barres, to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ as one family of faith and to celebrate this life in our liturgy, sacraments, prayer and service.

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 The Diocese of Rockville Centre also runs a TV station called Catholic Faith Network. It is a wonderful way to experience our faith on an engaging forum. Check out their website and start watching the best in Catholic television!

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The Catholic Church is apostolic because the faith that is professed is the same faith that the Apostles preached. Our parish, under the bishop of Rockville Centre, is in union with the bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. This is what makes us an apostolic community -- we are gathered together with our bishop in communion with the Successor of Peter to celebrate the Eucharist.

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