About Saint Bridget · Richmond, Virginia
Saint Bridget Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Westhampton neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia, part of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Founded in 1949 and consecrated in 1950, it grew to be one of the largest parishes in the Richmond area and today serves a vibrant, multi-generational community at 6006 Three Chopt Road. The parish is known for its Italian marble statues, ornate stained-glass windows, a Buzard Opus 42 organ, a parish school (JK–8) and a longstanding partnership with the University of Richmond through Catholic Campus Ministry. Guided by its current pastor, Very Rev. Kenneth Shuping, V.E., Saint Bridget places great emphasis on the primacy of prayer, the sacraments, faith formation for all ages, and outreach to the broader Richmond community.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- St. Brigid of Ireland (spelled 'Bridget' after the parish's foundress Bridget Irvin)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Kenneth (Ken) Shuping, V.E.
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 7)
Why belong here
Saint Bridget is a deeply rooted Catholic community with a beautiful historic church, a parish school serving JK–8, and active ministry for every age and stage of life — from OCIA (the adult inquiry process) and children's faith formation to high-school youth ministry and Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Richmond. The parish lives a robust sacramental life with daily Mass, a strong confession schedule, regular Eucharistic Adoration, and a full social ministry that reaches into local hospitals, nursing homes, jails, and the poor through ministries like CARITAS, Micah Initiative, CrossOver, Habitat for Humanity, and Rebuild Together. With a warm Welcome Committee, a Music Ministry, and a 75-year tradition of prayer and service, Saint Bridget offers a true spiritual home for new and returning Catholics alike.
Mass times at Saint Bridget
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM (child care available every 2nd Saturday)
- Tuesday 5:30–6:30 PM (combined with Adoration)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:30–6:30 PM
- First Mondays 8:30–9:30 AM
- Third Sundays 7:00–8:00 PM (Vespers & Adoration)
Parish History
Saint Bridget was founded in 1949 through the generosity of Annie Irvin, a Richmond woman of Irish descent who left $200,000 in her will for a new church in the Westhampton area — spelled 'Bridget' after her mother. Ground was broken in 1949, with Mass first offered in the Westhampton Theater; the completed church was consecrated in 1950. Bishop Peter L. Ireton appointed Father Francis Byrne as the first pastor (later named a Monsignor in 1954), and a rectory, convent, and school soon followed. The parish grew rapidly to become the largest in the Richmond area.
- Founded 1949; church completed 1950
- Founding pastor: Msgr. Francis Byrne
- Built through Annie Irvin's 1948 bequest
- First Masses held at Westhampton Theater
- 75th anniversary celebrated in 2025
The Church Building and Sacred Art
Saint Bridget's church blends multiple architectural styles and is richly appointed with Italian marble statues, ornate stained-glass windows, grand arches, and a bell tower. Former pastor Monsignor William H. Carr produced a video series for the parish that walks through the church's sacred art — including statues and Stations, the altar, the Marian statue and mosaics, the St. Joseph, Mary and Serpent iconography, and the history of the windows and Stations of the Cross.
- Italian marble statues
- Ornate stained-glass windows
- Grand arches and bell tower
- Marian statue and mosaics
- Stations of the Cross
- Buzard Opus 42 pipe organ
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is led by Very Rev. Kenneth (Ken) Shuping, V.E., who was appointed pastor effective July 5, 2021, after pastoring Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Salem and St. Gerard in Roanoke and serving as Dean of Deanery 12. He is assisted by two Parochial Vicars — Rev. Samuel Hill and Rev. Patrick Ssekibaala — and three Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. Robert Giovenco, Rev. Mr. Victor Petillo, and Rev. Mr. Charles Giovannetti. Seminarian Dillon Bruce is also assigned to the parish.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Kenneth Shuping, V.E.
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Samuel Hill, Rev. Patrick Ssekibaala
- Deacons: Rev. Mr. Robert Giovenco, Rev. Mr. Victor Petillo, Rev. Mr. Charles Giovannetti
- Seminarian: Dillon Bruce
Pastoral Staff
A larger pastoral and administrative team supports parish operations, music, faith formation, communications, and facilities.
- Allen Bean — Music Minister
- Marisa Cupps — Director of Religious Education and Baptism Coordinator
- Terri Dirnberger — Receptionist
- Clarke Duncan — Facilities and Maintenance
- Jenn Harter — Accountant and Bookkeeper
- Julie Koury — Pastoral Assistant
- Kimberly Lapkin — Director of Stewardship
- Antonio Lopez — Director of Facilities
- Smith Noel — Maintenance and Facilities
- Mary Rebecca Pugsley — Inquiry (OCIA) Coordinator
- Joyce Romito — Parish Administrator
- Jo Ellen Schneider — Director of Social Ministry
- Elizabeth Self — Communications Specialist
- Yvonne Smith — Funeral Coordinator
- Patrick Stearman — Youth Minister
Sacramental Life
Saint Bridget celebrates all the usual sacraments of the Catholic Church, with preparation programs for children and adults, including the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.
- Baptism coordination through the Director of Religious Education
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (2nd-grade sacramental prep using Pflaum's Together in Jesus series)
- Confirmation preparation for high-school youth (including retreat and interview)
- Matrimony — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick and ongoing pastoral care for the homebound and hospitalized
- Funeral coordination through Yvonne Smith
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
The parish runs a full OCIA (formerly RCIA) process for anyone thinking about joining the Catholic faith, with classes, prayer opportunities, service, and community involvement. Adults who were baptized in another Christian tradition or are already baptized Catholic and seeking Confirmation and Eucharist are also welcomed through the adult Sacrament Preparation program. Contact Mary Rebecca Pugsley, the Inquiry Coordinator, for more information.
- Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics completing their sacraments
- Sacrament of Initiation celebrated at the Easter Vigil
- Coordinator: Mary Rebecca Pugsley ([email protected])
Faith Formation
Faith formation for children, youth, and adults is a central part of Saint Bridget's mission. Programs are designed to support the whole family at every age and stage.
Children's Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Elementary Faith Formation classes for Kindergarten through Grade 5 are held Sundays, 10:30–11:30 AM, in the Saint Bridget Elementary School, using the Loyola Press 'Finding God' curriculum. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is a separate program for 2nd graders, using the Pflaum 'Together in Jesus' series and combining at-home and in-person sessions. Director of Religious Education: Marisa Cupps.
- Grades K–5, Sundays 10:30–11:30 AM
- First Reconciliation and First Communion for 2nd graders
- Loyola Press Finding God curriculum
- Pflaum Together in Jesus sacramental series
Youth Ministry
Middle School Youth Ministry (Edge-based) meets at the St. Bridget Middle School building (6112 Three Chopt Rd), covering prayer, Church, sacraments, and social justice, with a focus on the Person of Christ and Catholic moral teaching. High School Youth Ministry feeds into Confirmation preparation, which includes youth ministry, activities, a retreat, training sessions, and an interview. Youth Minister: Patrick Stearman.
- Middle School Youth Ministry (Edge-based)
- High School Youth Ministry
- Confirmation preparation with retreat and interview
Adult Faith Formation
Multiple ongoing groups serve adult parishioners who want to grow in Scripture and community.
- Tuesday Morning Book Group (10–11:30 AM, Church Hall) — small faith-sharing around Catholic books
- Habitues Group Study — Tuesday mornings 7–8 AM, non-denominational men's Bible study
- Wednesday Women's Scripture Study — 9–11 AM, Church Hall
- Thursday Morning Bible Study — 9 AM, Church Hall
University of Richmond Catholic Campus Ministry
Saint Bridget partners with the University of Richmond to provide Catholic Campus Ministry. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 5:00 PM in Cannon Memorial Chapel during the academic year. The University's Catholic chaplain, Deacon Tom Mullen, can be reached at [email protected].
- Sunday 5:00 PM Mass at Cannon Memorial Chapel (UR)
- Catholic Chaplain: Deacon Tom Mullen
Saint Bridget School
The parish operates Saint Bridget School, serving students Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school is located at 6011 York Road, Richmond, VA 23226, and shares faculty, families, and sacramental life with the parish community. In 2015, the parish purchased the former Westhampton Baptist Church and converted it into the new middle school at 6112 Three Chopt Rd.
- Grades: JK–8 (School ID 18)
- Address: 6011 York Road, Richmond, VA 23226
- Phone: (804) 288-1994
- Website: https://www.saintbridget.org
Music Ministry
Music is an important part of Saint Bridget's liturgical life. Music Minister Allen Bean leads the parish's choirs, and the parish's Saturday Vigil Mass features a Contemporary Choir. The church's Buzard Opus 42 organ is a centerpiece of the music program, and organ recordings made at Saint Bridget accompany Monsignor Carr's parish history video series.
- Music Minister: Allen Bean
- Saturday Vigil Contemporary Choir
- Buzard Opus 42 pipe organ
Social Ministry & Outreach
The parish's Social Ministry, directed by Jo Ellen Schneider, reaches into hospitals, nursing homes, the local jail, and the wider Richmond community through a wide range of outreach partnerships. The parish also has a Parish Nurse and BeFriender Ministry for those in need of pastoral and personal support.
- Henrico Doctors Hospital ministry
- St. Mary Woods, St. Francis Home, Westport Convalescent Center
- Jail Ministry
- Parish Nurse
- BeFriender Ministry
- Pregnancy Resource Center
- Coal Pit Learning Center
- CARITAS
- Micah Initiative
- CrossOver Ministry
- Habitat for Humanity
- Rebuild Together
- Fair Trade Sales
- Feeding Programs for the Poor
- Legislative Advocacy
Becoming a Parishioner & Getting Involved
Anyone is invited to register as a parishioner through the online registration form. Newcomers are welcomed at weekend Masses by the parish's Welcome Committee, and the 2025 Ministries Directory lists contact information for all parish groups. You can also contact the parish office at 804-282-9511 or email [email protected] for help finding a ministry that fits your gifts.
- Online parishioner registration
- Welcome Committee contacts new parishioners after designated Masses
- 2025 Ministries Directory available on the website
- Welcome Committee contact: Tim Kelly, [email protected]
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The church is open during the day as a place of prayer and quiet time with Jesus in the Reserved Eucharist. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to about 3:45–4:00 PM. The parish encourages parishioners and visitors to reach out by email or phone.
- Parish office: 804-282-9511
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 3:45 PM (diocese lists until 4:00 PM)
- Urgent priest contact info published on the Contact Us page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis Byrne (later Msgr. Francis Byrne)1949–(named Msgr. 1954)
First pastor of Saint Bridget, appointed by Bishop Peter L. Ireton; oversaw construction of the church, rectory, convent, and school.
- Monsignor William H. Carr2005–2021 (16 years as pastor; first served as a young priest in 1969)
Returned to Saint Bridget in 2005 after serving elsewhere; led the Master Plan outdoor building project, restoration work on the church's sacred art and organ, and conversion of the former Westhampton Baptist Church into a middle school in 2015.
- Very Rev. Kenneth (Ken) Shuping, V.E.2021–present
Appointed pastor effective July 5, 2021; previously pastored Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Salem and St. Gerard in Roanoke, and served as Dean of Deanery 12. Led the parish's 75th anniversary celebrations.