Saint Augustine Roman Catholic Church

Several parishioners who spoke with THE CITY describe the pantry closure as the latest casualty since Tumino took over the dwindling Saint Augustine and Saint Francis Xavier Park Slope parishes in late 2021.

He canceled an annual Christmas party for the children of incarcerated parents that the church had hosted for a decade, raised the rent tenfold on a biweekly Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, and ended a monthly dinner for people with AIDS and their families, several parishoners said. Many of the programs were so-called ministries – volunteer-run efforts by church parishioners who aim to put their faith into practice through community service.

“Every single program has been pushed out,” said Ellen Edelman, who hosts the children’s Christmas party and moved it to a Catholic church in an adjacent parish after Tumino’s secretary informed her the event was no longer welcome there, she said.

“We just don’t want you, period, we’re not a parish program,” Edelman recalled being told. “It had been there for a dozen years.”

Rev. Frank Tumino delivers mass at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Park Slope.
Rev. Frank Tumino delivers mass at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Park Slope, March 10, 2024. Credit: Screengrab via Saint Francis Xavier Church Livestream
A local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous that had used the church hall for around five years had its rent for two meetings a week jacked up from to $800 a month from $80, according to group organizer Mychal McNicholas.

“We just left,” he said. “The pastor wears a white collar that says feed the hungry, take care of the sick and the lame, and he’s throwing us in the street.”

The monthly dinner for people with AIDS and their families, which had used the church hall for years, was blocked from returning after the pandemic.

Why are you evicting a food pantry and ending community programs that this church has supported for years? Not very Christian of you.

We love Saint Augustine Roman Catholic Church. This church can seat over 500 people. It’s so beautiful and the priest Fr. Tumino is spreading the love of Jesus. His homilies have me in tears at most masses because his message touches my heart. I’ve been able to grow in ways that I never imagined. My relationship with Jesus is stronger than it has ever been. Please pray that people will start coming back to mass.

I am an elementary school graduate of Saint Augustine School in 1973. The school gave me an amazing education which prepared me to pass the entrance test for Brooklyn Technical High School. I am forever grateful to the Priests, Nuns and teachers who cared about my success in elementary school. It is sad that Saint Augustine School had to close in the mid-1970s due to financial hardships for the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn. I am proud that I still possess my 1973 Diploma from Saint Augustine School.

It’s an architecturally exquisite church with a fare bit of history. The folks who contribute to the services here are kind and welcoming. The homily can be brilliant and instill a sense of virtue that resonates far after service is over.

Update: 2 stars because its still a beautiful church but I long for St Augustines to return to the church it once was.
I remember when they had to add folding chairs on either side for some masses because the pews did not hold enough parishioners. It is very sad to see the church that I attended since I was about 3 years old become what it is today. First the mass I attended (Spanish) was eliminated and now the food pantry where I volunteered to serve the community for over 3 years has closed. I feel that its not what you communicate but how you communicate that determines it's effectiveness. I believe there should have been a clear explanation sent out to ALL volunteers explaining WHY this training was being mandated and offering different ways to attend (ie virtually). I was never told I needed to take the training (since I only see truck drivers on Thursdays) and then I receive a letter telling me I had 7 opportunities to train and I didn't, so effective immediately I can no longer volunteer. They found my email to send this letter but not to ask me to take the training in the first place; nor to let me know why the training was important. Had they emailed me and the other volunteers from the beginning letting us know the reason to attend and the deadline/consequences I am sure everyone would have made an effort to attend. I did attend the training after getting the letter; and proper communication as well as possibly a virtual training option (that I could fit in around work) would have allowed me to take it sooner. Today I am a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas on 9th street and I am so happy I found a church that reminds me of what St. Augustine once was. They welcomed me immediately, offer a very beautiful mass with a great vocalist that makes going to mass a pleasure; despite the fact that its a significant distance from my home. Link below in case you would like to join/visit just get there early if you want a good seat :)

https://g.co/kgs/JFoa8P2

The most beautiful church in Park Slope. Been going here since I was a child and now I even volunteer for the food pantry they offer on Saturdays for the community. If you have time you can volunteer thursdays 10am to 12pm by visiting the Rectory.

Went here on Christmas Eve for an evening service. The church is beautiful and the service was really good. Really felt at peace and happy.

My son was Baptized here in '97. I still go there on Saturday afternoons from time to time to keep the faith going. Beautiful church. For a Saturday service it has a relaxed and casual feel to it. I usually get the message of the sermon.

Edit: Since summer 2021 I've been attending Sat. mass at St. Francis Xavier, their sister church just down the street. It's smaller but more people attend the intimate setting.