About Cathedral of St. Thomas More · Arlington, Virginia
The Cathedral of St. Thomas More is the mother church and seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington in Northern Virginia, located at 3901 Cathedral Lane in Arlington. Founded in 1938 and elevated to cathedral status in 1974 when the Diocese of Arlington was erected from the Diocese of Richmond, it serves roughly 1,400–2,500 registered families and is the principal liturgical home for diocesan events including ordinations and major rites. The parish also operates the Cathedral School (pre-K through 8th grade), and its liturgy is offered in both English and Spanish, reflecting the diverse Catholic population of the Washington, D.C. suburbs. After a major 2023–2024 renovation that reimagined its mid-century-modern exterior in the Tudor style, the cathedral now features a new rose window, devotional shrines, and stained glass honoring the Holy Family and the patron saints of diocesan parishes.
- Established
- 1938
- Patron
- St. Thomas More
- Rector
- Rev. Nicholas Barnes (Parochial Administrator; succeeding Very Rev. Patrick L. Posey, V.F., placed on administrative leave May 27, 2026)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
The Cathedral of St. Thomas More offers something few parishes can: the full liturgical and devotional life of a large, established parish combined with the architectural beauty of a recently renovated cathedral that serves as the mother church for all of Northern Virginia's Diocese of Arlington. Daily Mass in English and a thriving Spanish-language apostolate (with a Tuesday evening Mass, Sunday Misa Dominical en Español at 12:30 PM, and Spanish confession) welcome a diverse congregation of families, government employees, military, and diplomatic personnel — a tradition going back to its founding. Add a robust music program with the historic Cathedral Choir, daily Eucharistic adoration on Thursdays with Evening Prayer and Benediction, an award-winning parish school (pre-K through 8), and active faith formation, RCIA, and youth ministry, and it is a uniquely complete Catholic home in the heart of Arlington.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Thomas More
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 7:30–8:30 PM (in Spanish / en Español)
- Thursday 6:00–7:00 PM
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM (in English and Spanish)
- Lenten Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM (Light is On at the Cathedral)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 12:45–7:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Thursday 7:00 PM — Evening Prayer and Benediction
Parish History
St. Thomas More Parish was founded in 1938 by Father Edwin J. Lee at the direction of Bishop Andrew Brennan of the Diocese of Richmond, in response to the rapid growth of Catholic families in Arlington. Masses were first celebrated in buildings that would later form the nucleus of the school; the first church was completed in 1942, and a separate cruciform church (the present cathedral) was dedicated on December 9, 1961 by Bishop John J. Russell of Richmond. When the Diocese of Arlington was erected on August 13, 1974, St. Thomas More was designated as the cathedral — the new diocese's official mother church — and Bishop Thomas Jerome Welsh was installed as first bishop. The cathedral marked its 75th anniversary in 2013 and reopened after a major Tudor-style renovation in September 2024 to celebrate the diocese's golden jubilee.
- Founded 1938 by Father Edwin J. Lee (appointed Nov. 29, 1938)
- First church building completed 1942 (now the north wing of the school)
- Crypt church used for worship 1950–1961
- Upper church dedicated December 9, 1961 by Bishop John J. Russell of Richmond
- Designated Cathedral of the new Diocese of Arlington on August 13, 1974
- 75th Anniversary celebrated 2013
- Tudor-style renovation completed and reopened September 2024; south cornerstone inscribed "Renovatio, A.D. MMXXIV"
History of the Diocese of Arlington
The Diocese of Arlington was separated from the Diocese of Richmond on August 13, 1974, covering the northern counties of Virginia. Four bishops have served as ordinary: Most Rev. Thomas J. Welsh (1974–1983), Most Rev. John R. Keating (1983–1998), Most Rev. Paul S. Loverde (1999–2016), and the current bishop, Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge, who was installed on December 6, 2016. The cathedral's 2023–2024 renovation was undertaken specifically to mark the diocese's 50th anniversary.
- Erected from Diocese of Richmond on August 13, 1974
- Bishop Thomas J. Welsh (1974–1983)
- Bishop John R. Keating (1983–1998)
- Bishop Paul S. Loverde (1999–2016)
- Bishop Michael F. Burbidge (installed December 6, 2016)
Clergy and Parish Staff
The Cathedral is staffed by a team of priests, deacons, and lay professionals under the leadership of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington. As of mid-2026, following the diocese's announcement that Fr. Patrick Posey had been placed on administrative leave, Rev. Nicholas Barnes serves as Parochial Administrator, with Rev. Jesus Munoz as Parochial Vicar, Rev. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, O.P. as Director of Music, Rev. Michael Weston in residence, and Deacon Malcolm D'Souza.
- Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge — Bishop of Arlington
- Rev. Nicholas Barnes — Parochial Administrator (2026– )
- Rev. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, O.P. — Director of Music
- Rev. Jesus Munoz — Parochial Vicar
- Very Rev. Patrick L. Posey, V.F. — Rector (on administrative leave, May 2026)
- Rev. Michael Weston — In Residence
- Deacon Malcolm D'Souza
- Parish Staff: Beth Blaine (Receptionist), Maria Stillone (Bookkeeper / Spanish Liaison), Tara Quaadman (Rector's Assistant), Nick Slabinski (Business Manager), Christine Kurtzke Hughes (Director of Advancement)
Music Ministry
Music has been central to the Cathedral's identity since Monsignor Taylor founded the men-and-boys choir under Dr. J. Edward Cordon in 1961. The Cathedral Choir sang for Pope John Paul II in 2001, performs the historic Cathedral Concerts series, and is supported by associate and assistant organists playing a M.P. Moeller organ redesigned and expanded to 53 ranks by Robert Wyant in 1980. Fr. Patrick Posey was a strong supporter of the program, and Dr. Richard P. Gibala served for more than twenty years as Director of Music before being succeeded by Fr. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, O.P.
- Fr. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, O.P. — Director of Music
- Ms. Shaina Murphy — Music Assistant
- Mr. Scott D. Matthias — Associate Organist
- Mr. Joseph Gribb — Associate Organist
- Mr. Ryan Haynie — Assistant Organist
- Ms. Emily Sheckels — Director of Youth Choir
- Historic Moeller organ (1961) expanded to 53 ranks by Robert Wyant in 1980
- Choir sang for Pope John Paul II, February 2, 2001
Cathedral School (Pre-K through 8th Grade)
The Cathedral School was founded in 1944 under the direction of Monsignor Arthur J. Taylor and was originally staffed by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who established a permanent community at the parish on August 25, 1945. After more than fifty years, the IHM sisters withdrew from the school and convent in June 1998. The school offers pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, serves approximately 400 students, and was awarded the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence in 2010.
- Founded 1944; staffed from 1945 by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- IHM sisters withdrew June 1998 after 50+ years
- Grades: Pre-K through 8
- Enrollment: approximately 400 students
- U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence — 2010
- Principal (as of 2022): Mrs. Catherine Adams Davis
- Strategic Plan (2022) developed with Fr. Posey and Mrs. Davis
- School address: 105 N. Thomas Street, Arlington, VA 22203 — Phone: 703-528-6781 — www.stmschool.org
Sacraments
The Cathedral offers the full range of Catholic sacraments. Baptisms and weddings require in-class preparation and are arranged through the Rectory; the Anointing of the Sick is provided on request by calling the Rectory for a priest. Christian Initiation (RCIA) is directed by Rev. Kevin Dansereau, and Penance is offered at three regular weekly times as well as by appointment.
- Baptism — contact the Rectory; in-class preparation required
- Matrimony — contact the Rectory; in-class preparation required
- Anointing of the Sick — call the Rectory for a priest
- Penance — Tue 7:30–8:30 PM (Spanish), Thu 6:00–7:00 PM, Sat 3:00–4:00 PM (English & Spanish), and by appointment
- RCIA / Christian Initiation — Rev. Kevin Dansereau
Hispanic Apostolate (Spanish-Language Ministry)
Since the addition of the Spanish Mass in 1990, the Cathedral has maintained a thriving Hispanic Apostolate, offering a Sunday Misa Dominical en Español at 12:30 PM, a Tuesday evening Spanish Mass at 7:00 PM, Tuesday evening Spanish confessions (7:30–8:30 PM), and Saturday confessions in Spanish (3:00–4:00 PM). The Hispanic Apostolate office is at 200 N. Glebe Road, Ste. 820, Arlington, VA 22203, reachable at 703-841-3883, with Maria Stillone serving as Spanish Liaison in the parish office.
- Sunday Misa en Español — 12:30 PM
- Tuesday evening Spanish Mass — 7:00 PM
- Tuesday Spanish Confessions — 7:30–8:30 PM
- Saturday Confessions in Spanish — 3:00–4:00 PM
- Hispanic Apostolate office: 200 N. Glebe Road, Ste. 820, Arlington — 703-841-3883
- Maria Stillone — Spanish Liaison (bookkeeper)
Architecture and the 2023–2024 Renovation
The cathedral was originally completed in 1961 in a mid-century-modern style with a cruciform plan, red-brick exterior, and three front doors set in barrel-arch porticos. Bishop Michael Burbidge commissioned a 2023–2024 renovation designed by Jim O'Brien of O'Brien and Keane Architecture and built by Forrester Construction to mark the diocese's 50th anniversary. The building was re-faced in a Tudor style reminiscent of the era of St. Thomas More himself, and a new rose window depicting The New Jerusalem was added to the north elevation along with stained-glass windows of the Holy Family and the patron saints of every parish in the diocese. The renovation was completed and the cathedral reopened in September 2024, with a new cornerstone inscribed in Latin on the south façade: "Renovatio, A.D. MMXXIV."
- Original 1961 mid-century-modern cruciform design
- Architect of renovation: Jim O'Brien, O'Brien and Keane Architecture (Arlington)
- Builder: Forrester Construction
- New north rose window — The New Jerusalem
- New stained-glass windows of the Holy Family, Mary, St. Joseph, and patron saints of diocesan parishes
- Bell tower dedicated 1982 — six bells, room for six more
- Moeller pipe organ (1961) redesigned and expanded to 53 ranks by Robert Wyant, 1980
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edwin J. Lee1938–1944
First pastor; appointed Nov. 29, 1938 by Bishop Andrew Brennan of Richmond; encouraged the Layman's Retreat Movement; oversaw first church (1942); retired due to ill health, died 1945.
- Rev. (later Msgr.) Arthur J. Taylor1944–1969
Second pastor for 25 years; opened the school (1944); built convent (1952), rectory (1955), and crypt church (1950); saw the upper church dedicated Dec. 9, 1961; founded the men-and-boys choir; Pastor Emeritus 1969.
- Msgr. Richard J. Burke1969–1981
Came from Richmond; reorganized music under Sam Lowe; converted lower church into Parish Activities Hall (later named for him).
- Rev. John A. O'Connell1981–1989
First rector of the Cathedral; dedicated the bell tower (1982) with six bells; led renovation for the parish's 50th anniversary (1987–1988).
- Rev. John T. Cilinski1989–1994
Third rector; converted school auditorium into a combined auditorium/gymnasium.
- Rev. Dominic Irace1994–2005
Returned to the Cathedral to become rector on June 6, 1994.
- Rev. Robert J. Rippy2005–2019
Led Cathedral through 2015 renovation and 2010 Blue Ribbon recognition for the school.
- Very Rev. Patrick L. Posey, V.F.2019–2026
Appointed rector June 2019; led the 2023–2024 Tudor renovation completed in September 2024; placed on administrative leave May 27, 2026.
- Rev. Nicholas Barnes2026–present
Appointed Parochial Administrator by the Diocese of Arlington following Fr. Posey's administrative leave.
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