St. Mary's Catholic Church, Newport
St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Mary's Catholic Church
4.5
About
A National Historic Landmark and Rhode Island's oldest Catholic Parish where the Kennedys were married. Each Tuesday afternoon at 3pm, "Return to Camelot" to re-live the special day of September 12,1953 when Jacqueline Bouvier married then Senator John F. Kennedy. Watch vintage film clips and listen to a live performance of music and song from their wedding ceremony and reception at Hammersmith Farm, Jackie's summer home in Newport.
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< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
201 reviews
Excellent
144
Very good
47
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Teammilitello
Des Moines, IA651 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
There was a wedding going on when we arrived, so we didn’t get to see what the inside looked like. I’m glad they have a bit of history on a sign out front (so we knew we were in the right place.). You can park in a parking lot next to the church for free. The streets around the church are heavily trafficked, so don’t stop here if you’re in a hurry.
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RBW
Kentucky2 contributions
Sep 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 September 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JohnP23
Villanova, PA70 contributions
Sep 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 September 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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 August 29, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AprMay22
Rhode Island111 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 April 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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 June 4, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marty Bielicki
Jensen Beach, FL14,047 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.
If you found this review to be “helpful” in any way, please press “LIKE” to let me know.
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 November 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
WorldTravellerMan
Baltimore, MD282 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 July 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sparky9109
Providence, RI90 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 May 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mellebell A
Jacksonville, FL199 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
For the place JFK married Jackie I expected something bigger and grander. This church is not distinguishable by its looks. That being said, I loved the Easter Vigil we attended - short, sweet, and nice priest. Glad we could visit.
Written May 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
PMBeagle
Anacortes, WA80 contributions
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?
Marty Bielicki
Jensen Beach, FL14,047 contributions
Easy walking distance. Enjoy
acklein
Hoover, AL1 contribution
We will be on a cruise that stops in Newport. Is the church open for visitors in the afternoon, about 1-3pm?
RIJohn
Newport, RI23 contributions
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
Rescue4paws
Bethlehem, PA29 contributions
is this church open just to see the inside? where do you park?
RIJohn
Newport, RI23 contributions
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.
RIJohn
Newport, RI23 contributions
How much is the performance and where do you get tickets?
RIJohn
Newport, RI23 contributions
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.
Eugenia C
Managua, Nicaragua7 contributions
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!!!
RIJohn
Newport, RI23 contributions
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
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Mary's Catholic Church
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- Hotels near St. Mary's Catholic Church:
- (0.13 mi) Serenity Inn Newport
- (0.15 mi) Francis Malbone House Inn
- (0.15 mi) Paws On Pelham
- (0.11 mi) Fair Street Guest House
- (0.15 mi) Admiral Fitzroy Inn
- Restaurants near St. Mary's Catholic Church:
- (0.11 mi) Jo's American Bistro
- (0.09 mi) Sardella's Italian Restaurant
- (0.10 mi) Franklin Spa
- (0.07 mi) Nikolas Pizza
- (0.08 mi) Imbriglio's Pizzeria Napoletana