About Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More · Tallahassee, Florida
The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More is the Roman Catholic co-cathedral of the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee, sharing cathedra duties with the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pensacola. Located at 900 West Tennessee Street in Tallahassee, Florida, just across from the Florida State University campus, it serves as both a diocesan seat and the hub of Catholic campus ministry for FSU and Tallahassee Community College. The mid-century Spanish-style church, designed by architect George W. Stickle and dedicated on October 8, 1967, is renowned for its dalle de verre stained-glass windows by French artist Jean Barillet. With five Sunday Masses, daily Masses during the academic year, an active OCIA program, and a thriving student parish life, it is one of the most prominent Catholic churches in the Florida Panhandle.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- St. Thomas More
- Rector
- Very Rev. Timothy (Tim) Holeda
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee
Why belong here
The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More offers the rare combination of a diocesan mother church and a vibrant Catholic campus parish — sitting literally across the street from Florida State University. Worshippers can attend up to five Sunday Masses (including a student-focused 8 p.m. Mass in the academic year), daily Mass Monday through Saturday, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday confessions, all while worshipping in a building of real architectural and artistic distinction — most famously the Jean Barillet dalle de verre windows. Alongside its liturgical life the parish runs OCIA, faith formation for children, an active Catholic Student Union through its campus ministry, a music program under Music Director Zach Landress, and outreach efforts coordinated by a Director of Ministry & Mission Outreach. It is an ideal parish both for FSU students seeking an authentically Catholic community and for Tallahassee-area families looking for a large, well-staffed, accessible downtown church.
Mass times at Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM in the main sanctuary (church)
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday 4:10 PM (resumes August 24, 2026 per the campus ministry page)
History of the Co-Cathedral
The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More grew out of a Catholic-student movement at what is today Florida State University. A Newman Club chapter was founded in 1930 at the Florida State College for Women, and in 1950 the club acquired the former residence of FSU president Edward Conradi at Park Avenue and Macomb Street, converting it into a student center with a live-in housemother, a small chapel, and meeting rooms. Within a decade that chapel was overflowing — students regularly waited outside for Sunday Mass. In 1963 plans for a new student center were sent to Blessed Sacrament pastor Father Patrick Madde, who suggested enlarging the chapel. Architect George W. Stickle finalized the blueprint in 1965; Demetree Builders of Orlando broke ground on December 4, 1965, and Bishop Patrick V. Hurley dedicated the completed chapel on October 8, 1967. The new building was made a chapel in 1967, elevated to a student parish in 1968 under Bishop Paul Tanner, and on October 7, 1975 — six days after the new Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee was created — it was raised to the rank of co-cathedral and given the patronage of St. Thomas More.
Architecture and Art
Architect George W. Stickle's design is a two-story cruciform building of block and stucco in a modified mid-century Spanish Mission style, topped by a distinctive red-tiled gabled roof and fronted by seven tall, narrow, rounded arches that hint at English and Gothic precedents. The complex covers half a city block and includes a 95-foot freestanding bell tower commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Spanish arrival at St. Augustine (1565–1965); the tower deliberately matches the height of the tower at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Augustine. The chapel's interior centerpiece is its dalle de verre stained-glass windows by French artist Jean Barillet — famous for his restoration work at Chartres Cathedral and other European cathedrals. In Barillet's design the central windows portray the figure of Christ bathed in light, while the surrounding windows feature abstract colors and designs. Stickle himself called the windows 'the key to the building's beauty.'
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by an experienced rector who also serves the wider diocese as Director of Vocations and Seminarians. The staff team combines ordained ministry, deacon ministry, faith formation, music, communications, business administration, facilities, and campus ministry.
- Very Rev. Timothy Holeda — Rector ([email protected], ext. 109)
- Father Chris Holcomb — Parochial Vicar ([email protected], ext. 117)
- Fr. Ponsiano Ngondwe — Priest in Residence ([email protected])
- Deacon Andy Grosmaire — Director of OCIA ([email protected], ext. 108)
- Dasha Nixon — Business Manager (ext. 114)
- Paula Wright — Director of Religious Education & Faith Formation (ext. 111)
- Zach Landress — Music Director (ext. 110)
- Sam Nunnally — Director of Campus Ministry ([email protected])
- Megan Majewski — Office Manager / Communications Specialist ([email protected])
- Marylu Gomez — Front Desk Executive (ext. 100)
- Vicki Baran — Business Assistant (ext. 101)
- Victor Herrera — Facilities Manager ([email protected])
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Formerly known as RCIA, the parish's OCIA process welcomes non-baptized adults, baptized Christians from other denominations, and baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation. Inquiry begins each September and the sacraments of initiation are celebrated at Easter.
- Inquiry period (~3 months, low-pressure introduction to the Catholic faith, starting September 2026)
- Catechumenate for those continuing toward baptism, confirmation, and First Eucharist
- Separate Confirmation class for already-baptized Catholics
- Weekly online classes; baptisms and receptions into full communion at Easter 2027
- Contact: Deacon Andy Grosmaire, [email protected], ext. 108
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Under Director Paula Wright, the parish coordinates catechetical programming and sacramental preparation for children, youth, and adults in alignment with diocesan guidelines. The parish also provides parishioners with a free Formed.org digital subscription for Catholic movies, study programs, and audio content.
Catholic Campus Ministry at FSU and TCC
The Co-Cathedral is the home of Catholic campus ministry for Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College. The Catholic Student Union (CSU) operates from 600 W. College Avenue, directly across from the church, and runs the seasonal 8 PM Sunday student Mass plus weekly fellowship, formation, and service opportunities. The campus ministry director is Sam Nunnally ([email protected]).
- Sunday 8 PM Catholic Noles student Mass (seasonal — suspended in May/June/July/most of August and during FSU winter break)
- Adoration Monday–Friday 4:10 PM during the academic year
- Catholic Student Union fellowship and formation at 600 W. College Ave.
- Partnership with diocesan Vocations office (Rector serves as diocesan Director of Vocations)
Music Ministry
Music at the Co-Cathedral is led by Music Director Zach Landress ([email protected], ext. 110). The parish's liturgical music supports five Sunday Masses, two daily Masses during the academic year, the Saturday Vigil, and special diocesan and academic-year liturgies.
Pastoral Council and Governance
The Pastoral Council publishes monthly meeting-minutes summaries on the parish website, providing one of the more transparent parish-council archives in the diocese. Archived minutes are available going back to at least October 2020, with summaries posted through February 2026 — a public record of the parish's pastoral priorities, finances, and planning decisions.
Visiting the Co-Cathedral
The church is open daily for Mass and personal prayer. The Saturday 5:15 PM Vigil Mass is livestreamed. Visitors are encouraged to see Jean Barillet's dalle de verre windows and the 95-foot bell tower — the architectural and artistic heart of the parish. To arrange an appointment with a priest, call the front desk at (850) 222-9630; the office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Patrick Madde1963–
Pastor of Blessed Sacrament parish who received the 1963 plans for the new student chapel and suggested enlarging it.
 "Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More")