About Us

“To provide compassionate assistance to the needy, while preserving the dignity of the human spirit and sharing the love and healing power of God.”

The gilded dome and stately arches of the Rhode Island State Capitol building may hang in the horizon just a block down the street, but here is the center of a very different face of Providence, one that is seldom seen or acknowledged.

“People see a dumpster, and they pass by it everyday, but they don’t know that someone could be living in there.” Janice Luongo, Executive Director of Mary House.

As St. Patrick’s Church, we provide comprehensive assistance to those in need. Although Mary House focuses mainly on the immediate needs of its guests, we fully support initiatives and organizations, both national and local, that are working to address and solve the systemic issues of poverty and homelessness.

The Beginnings

Started in 1972
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy(Sister Fran Conway).
Named in honor of longtime parishioner Mary McLaughlin
Committed to helping our sisters and brothers.

Mary House Today

In August, 2008 Mary House was awarded the Street Sights Humanitarian Award for the years of dedicated social service.
To date we provide a soup kitchen every Monday, food pantry three days a week, holiday dinners, mentoring, health assistance and more.
Our guests include a wide range of people from all ends of the spectrum, people with and without jobs, those with substance abuse problems, families, those with mental health problems, veterans. Anyone is welcome at Mary House.