About Holy Name of Mary · Bedford, Virginia
Holy Name of Mary is a Catholic parish in Bedford, Virginia, founded in 1874 by Irish railroad and canal workers and their families who had settled in the Bedford County town of then-Liberty. A member of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 15), the parish now serves roughly 300 families at its Oakwood Street church, where the pastor, a permanent deacon, and a small lay staff lead a community noted for its strong devotion to Eucharistic adoration and the liturgy. Its mission statement is 'Love God above all. Love others as God loves us.'
- Established
- 1874
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Holy Name of Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. John 'Nixon' Negparanon
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 15)
Why belong here
Holy Name of Mary is a welcoming parish of roughly 300 families with a deep love for the Eucharist — Father Nixon has noted that parishioners of all ages revere Eucharistic adoration and know the liturgy well, with weekly adoration on Wednesdays and Fridays plus a 24-hour vigil each month before the fourth Sunday. The community is small enough to know one another by name, yet offers a full range of formation: a comprehensive preschool-through-11th-grade Faith Formation program, adult faith formation, sacramental preparation, a youth ministry, a music/liturgy ministry, and active social-outreach arms including Respect Life, Bedford Christian Ministries, the Shepherd's Table, and a Healing Prayer Ministry. The parish's mission — 'Love God above all. Love others as God loves us' — is lived out through pastoral care for the homebound, Martha's Kitchen, advocacy for persons with disabilities, and a wide circle of fellowship opportunities.
Mass times at Holy Name of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 10:00 AM – 6:45 PM
- Fridays 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Vigil of the 4th Sunday: Saturday 7:00 PM through Sunday 7:00 AM (24-hour adoration)
Parish History
Holy Name of Mary traces its roots to the Irish Catholic railroad and canal workers who settled in the Bedford County town of then-Liberty in the mid-19th century. Priests from Holy Cross in Lynchburg, beginning with Father Edward Fox, first brought the Faith to the area by horseback and buggy. In the spring of 1874 Father McGuirk celebrated the first Mass in the basement of the old Court House, and in August 1874 Cardinal James Gibbons laid the cornerstone of the original brick St. Mary's Church. The first Mass in the little brick church on the hill was celebrated on August 29, 1875 for about 50 Catholics. The parish was renamed 'Holy Name of Mary' in 1955 when a larger church on Oakwood Street was dedicated, made possible in large part by a national fundraising campaign of the Fraternal Order of Elks. Bishop Walter F. Sullivan broke ground on a much larger church in 1993 and dedicated the present building in 1995. In 2003 a classroom, social hall/kitchen and office addition was added, accessibility improvements were made, and in 2011 the social hall was named 'McNally Hall' for Father Steve McNally (pastor 2001–2009).
- 1874 – First Mass in the old Bedford County Court House basement; cornerstone laid by Cardinal Gibbons
- 1875 – First Mass celebrated in original St. Mary's brick church (August 29)
- 1954 – Ground broken for new church on Oakwood Street (August 9)
- 1955 – Church dedicated and renamed 'Holy Name of Mary' (September 20)
- 1988 – New pastor's residence purchased; former rectory becomes offices/classrooms
- 1993 – Bishop Walter F. Sullivan breaks ground for a much larger church (May 9)
- 1995 – Present church dedicated
- 2003 – Classroom, social hall/kitchen, and office addition completed; accessibility upgrades
- 2011 – Social hall named 'McNally Hall' for Father Steve McNally
- September 2024 – 150th anniversary celebrated with Bishop Barry C. Knestout; Eagle Scout bell tower blessed
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Holy Name of Mary is rooted in the Great Commission of Matthew 28 and serves children and adults alike. The Director of Faith Formation is Mrs. Melissa Murtagh, and registration is coordinated through the parish office.
Youth Faith Formation
A comprehensive program is offered for children from preschool through 11th grade, with weekly sessions on Sundays from mid-September through May, 9:20–10:30 AM. The Richmond Diocese requires at least one year of prior enrollment before a child's sacramental year. First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are all prepared for within the parish program. Families with special needs are invited to discuss options with the parish; the religious education office can be reached at 540-586-8988 or via Rebecca Porterfield.
- Preschool through 11th grade
- Sunday sessions, 9:20–10:30 AM, September–May
- First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation
- Diocese requirement: one year of prior enrollment before sacramental year
Adult Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation includes programs designed to support parishioners at every stage of their spiritual journey. New members are welcome at any time.
Sacramental Preparation
The parish offers preparation for the seven sacraments, with the most common programs (Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage) coordinated through the Faith Formation office. A Grade 2 Faith Formation & Sacramental Prep Calendar is published annually.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage
Liturgy & Music
Music and liturgical art at Holy Name of Mary are coordinated by Music/Liturgy Minister Debbie Cirre. The parish also maintains an Art & Environment committee that cares for the sanctuary and seasonal decorations. The music ministry supports the sung liturgy at each Mass.
- Music/Liturgy Minister — Debbie Cirre
- Art & Environment committee
Pastoral Care & Outreach Ministries
The parish runs an extensive network of pastoral-care and social-outreach ministries under the umbrella of the Parish Life Committee, the Pastoral Care group, and Social Ministries (formerly Justice & Peace). The Health & Holiness initiative links parishioners with local trails, fitness groups, and YMCAs.
- Welcoming Committee
- Visits to the Homebound
- Befrienders
- Martha's Kitchen
- Healing Prayer Ministry
- Parish Nurse
- Respect Life
- Fiber Ministry
- Bedford Christian Ministries
- The Shepherd's Table
- Virginia Catholic Conference Email Advocacy Network
- Advocate for Persons with Disabilities
Health & Holiness
A creative set of partnerships with local fitness and outdoor groups encourages parishioners to care for body as well as soul. The parish maintains links to trail maps and training groups around Bedford, Lynchburg, and the Blue Ridge.
- Local Trail Maps
- Couch to 5K Training Program
- Live Healthy Lynchburg
- Bedford YMCA
- Jamerson YMCA
- Lynchburg Roadrunners
- Blue Ridge Trail Runners
- Greater Lynchburg Off-Road Cyclists
- Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club
- Roanoke Valley Trail Runners
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is served by a pastor, a permanent deacon, a music/liturgy minister, a youth ministry coordinator, a director of faith formation, and an office manager. The Pastoral Council serves as a liaison between Father Nixon and the parish community.
- Rev. Fr. John 'Nixon' Negparanon — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Mark Jerome De La Hunt — Permanent Deacon
- Mrs. Debbie Cirre — Music/Liturgy Minister
- Mrs. Lisa Mason — Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Mrs. Melissa Murtagh — Director of Faith Formation
- Mrs. Rebecca Porterfield — Office Manager
- Pastoral Council
Online Giving, Livestreams & Communications
Parishioners can give online through ParishSoft Ministry — by texting 'Give' to 540-405-8667 or visiting giving.parishsoft.com/giving/holynamemary. The new eGiving platform allows processing of the Building Fund and second collections. Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish's Facebook page at 11:00 AM every week; no Facebook account is required to watch. The parish Office Manager coordinates a parish-wide email list for emergencies, death notices, and occasional event reminders.
- eGiving via ParishSoft Ministry (text 'Give' to 540-405-8667)
- Online giving: giving.parishsoft.com/giving/holynamemary
- Sunday 11:00 AM Mass livestream on Facebook
- Parish-wide email list (contact Rebecca Porterfield)
Scam Awareness
The parish has publicly warned parishioners that text or email messages claiming to be from 'Fr. Nixon' and asking for favors — especially money or gift cards — are scams. Father Nixon does not text or email parishioners asking for such favors. The parish urges vigilance.
- Ignore texts/emails purporting to be from Fr. Nixon that ask for favors, money, or gift cards.
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is at 1307 Oakwood Street, Bedford, Virginia 24523. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Telephone (540) 586-8988; fax (540) 587-9080; email [email protected]. Holy Name of Mary is associated with Resurrection Parish in Moneta, sharing pastoral ministry with Father Nixon.
- Address — 1307 Oakwood St., Bedford, VA 24523
- Office Hours — Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM; Fri 9 AM–12 PM
- Telephone — (540) 586-8988
- Fax — (540) 587-9080
- Email — [email protected]
- Associated parish — Resurrection, Moneta
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father McGuirk1874–
Young priest assigned to Holy Cross, Lynchburg; celebrated the first Mass in the basement of the old Bedford County Court House and oversaw the building of the first church.
- Cardinal James Gibbons (Bishop of Richmond)1874–1875
Laid the cornerstone of the original St. Mary's Church in August 1874 and celebrated the first Mass in the new brick church on August 29, 1875.
- Father Steve McNally2001–2009
Pastor of Holy Name of Mary; celebrated 25th anniversary of ordination in 2011, when the parish social hall was named 'McNally Hall' in his honor.
- Rev. Fr. John 'Nixon' Negparanon2021–present
Originally from Iligan City, Philippines; ordained May 3, 2005 for the Diocese of Batanes; came to the Diocese of Richmond in 2007; pastor of St. Pius X, Norfolk for ten years before being assigned to Holy Name of Mary and Resurrection, Moneta; U.S. citizen; enjoys playing guitar.