Our Lady of Loretto Church

I feel a little weird reviewing a church, but here it goes. This is a small, very pretty, historic church in a hip little village. The congregation is very warm and welcoming, although a bit on the older side — it seems to be an even mix of older people and families with kids. There’s not too much of a young adult scene at this church, and the congregation is a bit more conservative than I originally thought it would be — after all, this is Cold Spring. But I chalk that up to the congregation’s demographic more than anything else.
So why do I keep going? Because as a whole it’s a lovely experience. The sermons are generally warm and inspiring. I almost always feel uplifted after hearing a sermon here. Our Lady of Loretto has 4 priests in total — two regular pastors and two weekend associates — all of whom rotate leading Mass. This church has elements that are most important to me: a sense of community, an interest in and commitment to the local area and the people who live in it, and a sense that the priests see the congregation as actual people, not just as bodies who show up on Sundays.
And much like the churches in NYC — and unlike the churches where I grew up — Our Lady of Loretto is open almost all day, every day, for private reflection. You can just go in there and sit and be at peace. It’s awesome. Try it, if you’re Catholic and in the area. Or if you’re not — and simply want to see a historic church with great artwork — don’t be afraid to step through its doors.