Saint Thomas Apostle

Welcome to St. Thomas Apostle Parish

St. Thomas Apostle is a Catholic parish in the Woodley Park neighborhood of Washington, D.C., serving the community since 1913. The parish is now cared for by the Oratory of St. Philip Neri of Washington, recognized by Pope Francis in February 2024 as an Oratory of Pontifical Right.

Our History

The parish was founded in 1912–1913 under the vision of its founding pastor, Father Thomas A. Walsh, to serve the growing Woodley Park neighborhood after the Taft Bridge opened Rock Creek Valley to streetcar traffic. From a temporary clapboard worship space (pre-1923) to the present Parish Hall (Basement Church, 1923–1951) to the upper church of red brick and limestone completed in 1951, St. Thomas Apostle has marked more than a century of Catholic life at Woodley Road and 27th Street NW. In 2013 Cardinal Wuerl entrusted pastoral care to a community-in-formation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, which Pope Francis erected as an Oratory of Pontifical Right in February 2024.

• Canonically established: 1913
• Founding pastor: Fr. Thomas A. Walsh (served until 1936)
• Parish school opened: 1926 (staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Cross)
• Upper church completed: 1951
• Parish school closed: 1986
• Oratory community-in-formation established: July 10, 2013
• Oratory of Pontifical Right erected by Pope Francis: February 2, 2024

Parish Staff & Clergy

The parish is pastored by Fr. Richard A. Mullins and supported by the Oratorian community — including Msgr. Andrew R. Wadsworth, who serves as Provost (Superior) of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri of Washington. Retired Deacon William Boesman also assists the parish. Andrea Miano is the Coordinator of Religious Education, and Lilian Ramos serves as Parish Secretary.

• Pastor: Rev. Richard A. Mullins
• In Residence: Rev. Msgr. Andrew R. Wadsworth (Provost, Oratory of St. Philip Neri)
• Deacon: Deacon William Boesman (Retired)
• Parish Secretary: Lilian Ramos
• Coordinator of Religious Education: Andrea Miano

The Oratorian Community of St. Philip Neri

The care of St. Thomas Apostle is entrusted to the Oratory of St Philip Neri, a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right established by the Holy See in February 2024. The Oratorian spirituality — founded by St. Philip Neri (1515–1595), the 'Apostle of Rome' — centers on an unpretentious return to the lifestyle of the first Disciples of Christ. The object of the institute is threefold: prayer, preaching, and the sacraments. Pope John Paul II called Neri 'the saint of joy' and noted that he ministered among common people while being 'salt' for all he met, equally at home in noble palaces and the alleys of Renaissance Rome.

• Cardinal Donald Wuerl established the community-in-formation on July 10, 2013
• Pope Francis erected the Oratory of Pontifical Right on February 2, 2024
• More than 200 people gathered for the canonical erection Mass on July 10, 2024, at St. Thomas Apostle Church
• Visit the DC Oratorians' website at DCOratorians.com

Sacraments

The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments, with the Sacraments of the Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Baptism, and the Anointing of the Sick described in detail on the parish website. Couples are asked to contact the Rectory at least six months in advance of a planned wedding.

• Sacrament of Baptism — parent preparation prior; contact the parish office
• Sacrament of the Eucharist / First Communion — children in 2nd grade and above
• Sacrament of Confirmation — conferred by a bishop; contact the Rectory
• Sacrament of Marriage — at least six months' advance notice
• Anointing of the Sick — call the Rectory for sick and homebound parishioners

Religious Education

St. Thomas Apostle offers religious education for children of all ages, particularly in preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The Director of Religious Education is Fr. Benjamin Schulte, Cong. Orat. (Brother Benjamin of the Oratory). A separate track exists for children ages 7–9 needing the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. Adult Confirmation classes are also offered.

• Contact: [email protected] (Oratorians)
• Director of Religious Education: Fr. Benjamin Schulte, Cong. Orat.
• Children's sacramental preparation (First Communion & Confirmation)
• Adult Confirmation classes

Adult Formation

St. Thomas Apostle offers several ongoing adult-formation opportunities throughout the year, supplementing the parish's liturgical and sacramental life.

• Speaker/Lecture series throughout the year
• Tuesday-night adult Scripture study
• Monthly mornings of recollection

Young Adults

The St. Thomas Young Adults community is highlighted on the parish website as a fellowship for younger Catholics connected to the parish.

• St. Thomas Young Adults fellowship

Liturgical Arts & Environment

Parishioners can donate flowers for the Main Altar to celebrate a birthday, marriage or anniversary, or to honor a deceased family member or friend; gifts are noted in the parish bulletin. The parish Gardening Committee meets on the church grounds on Saturdays in season to plant, weed, and keep the parish grounds looking beautiful.

• Altar Flower donations — contact Valerie Caracelli at [email protected]
• Gardening Committee — Saturdays in season

Who is St. Thomas the Apostle?

St. Thomas the Apostle, the parish's patron among the Communion of Saints, is best known for the scene eight days after Easter when he doubted the Lord's resurrection unless he could see and touch His wounds. Upon seeing the risen Christ, Thomas proclaimed 'My Lord and my God!' — the most splendid profession of faith in the whole New Testament, in the words of St. Augustine. The parish publishes a prayer to St. Thomas asking his intercession: 'O Glorious Saint Thomas, your grief for Jesus was such that it would not let you believe he had risen unless he actually saw him and touched his wounds. But your love for Jesus was equally great…'

• Name derives from Hebrew 'ta'am' — 'paired, twin'
• Called 'Didymus' in John's Gospel
• Feast day: July 3