Social justice and outreach are also central to the parish identity. Over the decades, Holy Innocents has participated in interfaith initiatives with local Protestant and Jewish congregations. Food drives, support for the homeless, and partnerships with regional charities demonstrate the parish’s commitment to the Catholic Social Teaching principle of "preferential option for the poor." This outward-facing mission has helped the parish navigate the changing demographics of Westchester County, remaining a stable presence as the village has transitioned from a working-class community to a wealthy commuter suburb.
The physical campus of Holy Innocents has evolved significantly over the decades. The current church structure, located on the "Pleasantville Plateau," represents a blend of traditional ecclesiastical design and modern adaptation. holy innocents parish pleasantville ny
Officially established in the early 20th century, the parish was formed to meet the spiritual needs of this growing population. The name "Holy Innocents" was chosen, a reference to the biblical narrative of the young children of Bethlehem, symbolizing purity and a protective spiritual mantle over the community's youth. The early years of the parish were marked by the classic American Catholic experience: Masses initially held in humble settings or temporary structures, driven by a congregation that, despite limited financial means, prioritized the construction of a permanent house of worship. Social justice and outreach are also central to
Founded in 1925, the parish rose during the Roaring Twenties, a decade of jazz and flappers, yet its cornerstone was laid in memory of the most vulnerable. Locals whisper that the name was a quiet act of reparation—a reminder that even in a prosperous railroad town, innocence must be protected. The physical campus of Holy Innocents has evolved
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
The history of Holy Innocents Parish is inextricably linked to the development of Pleasantville itself. While the village was initially settled by Quakers and Methodists, the late 19th century saw an influx of Catholic immigrants, particularly from Ireland and Italy, many of whom were drawn to the area for work on the railroads and in the quarries.
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.