About Our Lady of Nazareth · Roanoke, Virginia
Our Lady of Nazareth is a Catholic parish in Roanoke, Virginia, in the Diocese of Richmond, located on Electric Road (Route 419) in the southwest part of the city. Founded in 1914 by Father James Gilsenan, the parish was named by Bishop Dennis J. O'Connell in 1919 and at that time was the only parish in the United States bearing the title 'Our Lady of Nazareth.' Today OLN offers multiple weekend Masses, a daily Mass Monday through Friday, Eucharistic adoration on Wednesdays, an extensive faith formation program for children and families, youth ministry, adult formation including OCIA (with a Spanish-language track), music ministries, and a wide array of outreach ministries serving the Roanoke Valley and beyond. The current pastor is Rev. Msgr. Patrick D. Golden, with Rev. Dillon Bruce serving as parochial vicar.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- Our Lady of Nazareth
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Patrick D. Golden
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Our Lady of Nazareth is a long-established Roanoke parish with deep roots (founded 1914) and an unusually broad range of ministries for a parish its size. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday evening and three times on Sunday, with a daily Mass Monday–Friday and Eucharistic adoration every Wednesday. The parish actively forms the whole family — Family Faith Formation K–12 meets Sunday mornings, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered, and a vibrant youth ministry (grades 8–12) runs gatherings, retreats, and a Confirmation program. Outreach is a hallmark: a Giving Garden produces around 2,500 pounds of produce annually, OLN supports RAM House, St. Francis House, Habitat for Humanity, Family Promise, a Haiti twin-parish (Papaye Normal School), migrant ministry, Respect Life, and an advocacy partnership with the Virginia Catholic Conference. Music ministry is strong, with a parish choir (especially seeking gentlemen singers), a children's choir, and a digital worship aid.
Mass times at Our Lady of Nazareth
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM
- Monday after the 8:30 AM Mass
- Wednesdays 5:00–6:00 PM (during Adoration)
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 5:00–6:00 PM (with Confession)
Parish History: From Campbell Avenue to Electric Road (1914–Present)
Our Lady of Nazareth was founded in 1914 when the Bishop of Richmond sent Father James Gilsenan, an Irish priest ordained in 1904, to begin a new parish in southwest Roanoke. He purchased property on Campbell Avenue that housed a convent for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and a two-story frame school. The parish was officially named by Bishop Dennis J. O'Connell on February 16, 1919 — at the time the only parish in the United States bearing that name. A church was completed in 1926 and dedicated by Father Gilsenan, who was named a Monsignor in 1940 and died on September 12, 1953. He is buried in St. Andrew's Cemetery. Father Robert F. Beattie succeeded him, made property improvements, and purchased the first land for a future church.
- 1914 — Father James Gilsenan arrives; parish founded
- 1915 — Campbell Avenue property purchased (convent + school)
- 1916 — Nazareth School opens with eight grades
- 1918 — First public Mass celebrated in the new hall on Campbell Avenue (present-day St. Francis House)
- 1919 — Bishop O'Connell names the parish Our Lady of Nazareth
- 1926 — Original church completed and dedicated
- 1940 — Father Gilsenan named Monsignor
- 1953 — Msgr. Gilsenan dies; Father Robert F. Beattie becomes second pastor
- 1978 — Last Mass at the old church; new church on Route 419 dedicated by Bishop Sullivan, aided by Miss Anita Obermeyer's $450,000 legacy
- 1989 — Christian Life Center dedicated in memory of Anna Louise Haley (1910–1988)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
OLN believes in formation for the whole family, not just the children. Family Faith Formation K–12 meets Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 11:15 AM, allowing families to attend either the 9:00 or 11:30 AM Mass. Children are grouped by grade level, parents stay together for adult faith growth, and a nursery is provided for younger siblings. The program meets twice a month, September through May.
- Family Faith Formation K–12 (Coordinator: Jen Kellner, [email protected])
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Coordinator: Margo Vitello)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Children's OCIA (Coordinator: Carina Navarro)
- Director of Religious Education: Ellen Vanden Eykel ([email protected])
OLN Youth (Middle School & High School)
The youth ministry gathers middle school and high school students to teach the love of Christ and His Church and to give them opportunities to experience His love. Each Sunday Gathering includes community games, snacks and fellowship, teaching, small groups, and prayer. In addition to bi-monthly gatherings (2nd and 4th Sundays between the 9 and 11:30 Masses), social, service, and discipleship leadership opportunities are offered.
- Gatherings: 2nd & 4th Sundays between 9:00 and 11:30 AM Masses
- Confirmation preparation
- Fearless Retreat, Faith Camp, Diocesan Youth Conferences
- High School Coordinator: Meg Griffith
- Middle School Coordinator: Elizabeth Gurney
Adult Formation & OCIA
OLN offers a range of adult formation opportunities because, as the parish puts it, 'Faith is a lifelong process and a wonderful journey.' Options include ongoing Bible study, Family Faith Formation adult sessions, a Men's Fellowship, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for those exploring the Catholic faith or catching up on sacraments. A Spanish-language OCIA track (OCIC) meets Tuesdays for adults and children.
- OCIA (English) — most Tuesdays, 6:30–7:45 PM (contact Ellen Vanden Eykel)
- OCIC (Spanish) — Tuesdays, 5:30–6:45 PM (contact Carina Navarro at [email protected])
- OLN Men's Fellowship — 2nd Thursday of most months, 7:00–8:30 PM (contact Dennis Henry)
- Bible study opportunities — contact Ellen Vanden Eykel ([email protected])
Music Ministries
Music ministers are the singers and musicians who enrich liturgical celebrations at Our Lady of Nazareth. The parish choir is especially known for uplifting music — reading music is not required, but members must be able to carry a tune. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the nave. The Children's Choir (ages 6–11) sings in at least four liturgies each year. A digital worship aid is also available to help the congregation follow along.
- Parish Choir — rehearsals Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM; gentlemen singers especially needed
- Children's Choir — ages 6–11, at least 4 liturgies per year
- Digital Media Specialist & Assistant for Music: Ryan Hunt
- Director of Music Ministries: Kerry Morgeiwicz ([email protected], ext. 13)
Outreach & Charitable Ministries
Outreach is a hallmark of Our Lady of Nazareth. The parish supports an unusually wide range of local, regional, and international ministries — feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, advocating for life and justice, and partnering with a Haitian twin community. The OLN Giving Garden alone produces an average of 2,500 pounds of fresh produce annually for the RAM House and St. Francis House Pantry.
- Christmas Gift Collection — toys and winter accessories for Center for Christian Action (Pocahontas, VA) and CCC Refugee Resettlement (Roanoke)
- Family Promise — host congregation 4–5 times per year
- OLN Giving Garden — 2,500 lbs/yr produce for RAM House and St. Francis House
- Habitat for Humanity — financial contributions and work days
- Haiti Ministry — twin parish: Papaye Normal School (annual sea container of supplies; annual pilgrimage)
- Advocacy — liaison with Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC)
- Migrant Ministry — clothing, household and hygiene items for 3,000+ seasonal farm laborers on Virginia's Eastern Shore
- Justice & Peace — Catholic Social Teaching, Operation Rice Bowl, Just Faith
- RAM House — prepares and serves lunch on the 4th Sunday each month
- Respect Life — 40 Days for Life, Blue Ridge Women's Center
- North Roanoke Valley Home — visits to assisted living residents
- Voices of Faith — interfaith dialogue and activities
- St. Francis House — weekly food collection after Masses
- Prison Ministry — Roanoke City Jail and Roanoke County Jail
- Hospital Ministry — Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Parish Staff & Clergy
Our Lady of Nazareth is shepherded by Rev. Msgr. Patrick D. Golden (Pastor) and Rev. Dillon Bruce (Parochial Vicar). A dedicated lay staff directs faith formation, music, youth, outreach, business, and digital communications.
- Pastor — Rev. Msgr. Patrick D. Golden
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Dillon Bruce
- Director of Religious Education — Ellen Vanden Eykel (ext. 15)
- Coordinator of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Margo Vitello
- Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation — Jen Kellner (ext. 14)
- Coordinator for Youth Ministry — Meg Griffith
- Middle School Coordinator — Elizabeth Gurney
- Pastoral Care Coordinator & Faith Formation Assistant — Katie Brown
- Coordinator of Children's OCIA — Carina Navarro
- Business Manager — Helen Price (ext. 12, [email protected])
- Director of Music Ministries — Kerry Morgeiwicz (ext. 13, [email protected])
- Digital Media Specialist & IT/AV Admin — Ryan Hunt
Pastor Biography: Msgr. Patrick D. Golden
Msgr. Patrick D. Golden was ordained to the priesthood in May 1996 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond. A Lynchburg native and Holy Cross Parish parishioner, he credits mentors like Father Joe Lehman and Father Anthony Warner — along with the faith of his parents Tom and Patricia — for nurturing his vocation. After earning a political science degree from Radford University and seminary formation at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, he served as a priest of the Diocese of Richmond for 25+ years, including pastorates at St. Mary, Suffolk; St. Jude, Radford; and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, before being assigned as pastor of Our Lady of Nazareth. In December 2024 he additionally became administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Salem. He celebrated his silver jubilee in 2021.
- Ordained May 1996 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond
- Grew up at Holy Cross Parish, Lynchburg
- Pastored St. Mary (Suffolk), St. Jude (Radford), Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Richmond)
- Currently pastor of Our Lady of Nazareth, Roanoke
- Also serves as administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Salem (since December 2024)
Visiting & Contact Information
Our Lady of Nazareth is located at 2505 Electric Road (Route 419), Roanoke, VA 24018, in southwest Roanoke. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed Saturday and Sunday). The main phone number is (540) 774-0066. Parishioners and visitors can stay informed through FlockNote (text OLNParish to 84676), the parish Facebook page, and the live-streamed Saturday 5:00 PM Mass on YouTube. Online giving is also available.
- Address: 2505 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018
- Phone: (540) 774-0066
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- FlockNote: Text OLNParish to 84676
- Live-stream: Saturday 5:00 PM Mass on YouTube
- Affiliated school: Roanoke Catholic School (PreK–12), 621 N Jefferson St, Roanoke — (540) 982-3532
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. James Gilsenan1914–1953
Founder; born 1877 in Lurgan, County Cavan, Ireland; ordained 1904; dedicated the 1926 church building; named Monsignor in 1940; died September 12, 1953; buried in St. Andrew's Cemetery.
- Rev. Robert F. Beattie1953–
Second pastor; made extensive property improvements and purchased the first land for a new church.