Holy Innocents Parish Pleasantville Ny 🎁

Just two blocks south lies the old Pleasantville Cemetery, where Revolutionary War soldiers rest. For decades, the parish has held an annual Procession of the Innocents on December 28 (Feast of the Holy Innocents). Children carry white candles and white roses, processing from the church to the cemetery gates. It’s said that the wind often dies completely during those ten minutes of walking—as if history itself holds its breath.

Nestled in the village of Pleasantville, New York, Holy Innocents Parish stands as a testament to the enduring presence of the Catholic Church in Westchester County. For over a century, the parish has served not merely as a place of worship, but as a central hub for community formation, education, and social outreach. While Pleasantville is often noted for its literary history and cultural institutions, Holy Innocents represents the spiritual heartbeat of a significant portion of the village’s population. This paper explores the historical trajectory of the parish, its physical presence within the community, and its modern-day operations.

Let me know if I can make any adjustments.

Weekend Masses are typically held on Saturdays at 5:15 PM (Vigil) and Sundays at 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM (Family Mass), 11:00 AM, and 5:15 PM. holy innocents parish pleasantville ny

So next time you drive through Pleasantville, glance at the small sign on Washington Avenue. It’s not just a church. It’s a memorial to the world’s oldest tragedy, kept alive by a community that refuses to forget.

Today, Holy Innocents is known for its progressive yet traditional outreach: a food pantry that operates without questions asked, and a music program that somehow blends Gregorian chant with local folk bands. But ask any longtime parishioner, and they’ll tell you the same thing: You don’t choose this parish. It chooses you. There’s a quiet intensity beneath the suburban calm—a reminder that even in a town known for its Jacob Burns Theatre and pleasant coffee shops, some places still take their name from the cry of children in the dark.

The parish has historically been a center for youth activities, offering scouting troops, athletic leagues, and social events that serve both the Catholic and broader Pleasantville communities. This "open door" policy has fostered a strong sense of belonging, positioning the church not as an isolated enclave, but as a public square. Just two blocks south lies the old Pleasantville

The term “Holy Innocents” refers to the male children of Bethlehem slaughtered by King Herod in his desperate attempt to kill the infant Jesus. It is one of the most haunting feasts on the Catholic calendar—a day with no alleluias, only tears. Most parishes avoid such a somber namesake. Pleasantville’s founders chose it deliberately.

MASS TIMES. Sunday 4/5. 7:30am. 9am. 10am (OLP) 11am. 5:15pm. Monday 4/6. 8am. Tuesday 4/7. 7am. 5:30pm (OLP) hiparish.org Sacraments - Holy Innocents Roman Catholic Parish

Education is a cornerstone of the parish's mission, with programs designed for all life stages: Upcoming Mass Schedule It’s said that the wind often dies completely

Worship at Holy Innocents is anchored by a robust schedule that includes daily and weekend liturgies, as well as specialized services at the chapel.

In the contemporary landscape, Holy Innocents faces the challenges common to many Mainline and Catholic parishes in the Northeast: an aging clergy, shifting demographics, and the need to engage younger generations raised in a digital age.