About Saints Peter and Paul · Palmyra, Virginia
Saints Peter and Paul is a Roman Catholic parish in Palmyra, Virginia, in Fluvanna County, serving the communities of Lake Monticello, Scottsville, Palmyra, and Columbia. Founded in 1986 and part of the Diocese of Richmond, the parish celebrates Mass at its church on Route 53 (Thomas Jefferson Parkway) and is closely paired with St. Joseph's Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel in nearby Columbia. It is a growing faith community offering liturgical, educational, and social-service ministries for children, youth, and adults, and is known for its Prison Ministry at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women.
- Established
- 1986
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul
- Rector
- Rev. John Nyanzi (Administrator; per a parish announcement, effective July 1 he is to become Pastor; the March 2025 bulletin listed Rev. David M. Ssentamu as Pastor)
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 10)
Why belong here
Sts. Peter and Paul is a welcoming, growing parish that openly invites new members, saying that 'every new parishioner adds richness to our faith community which allows us to more fully reflect the Body of Christ.' The parish serves the Lake Monticello, Scottsville, Palmyra, and Columbia communities with daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel Monday through Thursday and in the sanctuary on Fridays, a CCD/Youth program, RCIA, Bible Study, Knights of Columbus, Cursillo, a music ministry, and outreach to the homebound, hospital patients, and inmates at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women.
Mass times at Saints Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 1st Saturday: 9:00 AM (SPP)
- Saturday: 4:00 PM (SPP)
- Sunday: 8:30 AM (at St. Joseph's, Columbia)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday – Thursday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Chapel)
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Sanctuary), followed by Benediction at 3:00 PM
About Saints Peter and Paul
Sts. Peter and Paul is a Roman Catholic parish on Thomas Jefferson Parkway (Route 53) in Palmyra, Fluvanna County, Virginia. Founded in 1986, it belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 10) and serves the communities of Lake Monticello, Scottsville, Palmyra, and Columbia. The parish's mission, as stated on its website, is 'In the spirit of our patron saints and missionaries, we commit ourselves to a pilgrimage of faith through Evangelization, Sanctification and Social Service ministries.' Its vision is 'to expand and strengthen the Christian Community in which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is demonstrated and fulfilled.'
Parish History
In the mid-1980s, Catholics in the newly developing Lake Monticello community began gathering and considering establishing a parish. On January 26, 1985, Father John T. Cummings (pastor of Saint Joseph's in Columbia) celebrated the first Eucharist for the group at the home of Mary Luxhoj. Saturday evening Mass soon moved to Effort Baptist Church, where parishioners built a handicap ramp and donated toward new carpets. In June 1986 Bishop Sullivan visited, met with the pastoral council, and suggested the name 'Saints Peter and Paul' based on the feast day — the founders had originally planned to call it 'Our Lady of the Lake.' The community has continued to grow since, adding a Columbarium, expanded faith formation, and an active prison ministry.
- First Mass: January 26, 1985 at the home of Mary Luxhoj
- Pre-parish Masses: Saturday evenings at Effort Baptist Church
- Bishop Sullivan named the parish in June 1986
- Associated with St. Joseph's Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel in Columbia
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Sts. Peter and Paul runs programs in religious education for children, youth, and adults. CCD/Youth Group is coordinated by Celeste Shapiola, and RCIA (for adults seeking initiation) and Bible Study are led by Cynthia Nicholson (RCIA contact in 2025 bulletin: Cynthia Aycock). In a parish reflection after his first year, the pastor noted that 'we have served God's people in the area of Education and Faith Formation. This involves, most of all, religious education to our children. It also involves adults who come searching for Christ in the Catholic Church.'
- CCD / Youth Group — Celeste Shapiola
- RCIA — Cynthia Nicholson (2025 bulletin lists Cynthia Aycock)
- Bible Study — Cynthia Nicholson / Celeste Shapiola
- Vacation Bible School (annual, hosted jointly with St. Joseph's)
Liturgy & Worship
The parish's worship life is supported by a large lay ministry team. Music is led by Director of Music Dennis Barberio, with a Youth Music Minister (Townes Mullinex). Ushers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Sacristans, and Greeters all assist at Mass. The parish celebrates a Youth Mass on the last Sunday of every month.
- Director of Music — Dennis Barberio
- Youth Music Minister — Townes Mullinex
- Ushers — Frank Pilk
- Lectors — Cynthia Nicholson
- Extraordinary Ministers — Dianna Campagna
- Altar Servers — Nicole Amato
- Sacristy — Linda Mangiaracina
- Greeters — Rose Meyer
Pastoral Care & Outreach
Pastoral care extends well beyond the church walls. The parish offers Hospital Visits (call the Parish Office or Rectory) and Homebound Communion (call the Parish Office to schedule). A Parish Nurse (Catherine Heffley, RN) supports health-related needs, and a Good Shepherd's ministry accompanies parishioners in need. The Respect Life committee, led by Larry Boice, advocates for life issues.
- Hospital Visits — call (434) 589-5200
- Homebound Communion — call Parish Office
- Parish Nurse — Catherine Heffley, RN
- Good Shepherd's — Patricia Travers
- Respect Life — Larry Boice
- Parish Community Life — Patricia Amato
Prison Ministry & Special Ministries
The parish is well known for its Prison Ministry, coordinated by Will Kulick, which serves the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women and the Fluvanna County Lock Up. The Diocese of Richmond also lists special ministries the parish supports at Fork Union Military Academy, Oakland School, and the Village Nursing Center.
- Prison Ministry — Will Kulick
- Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women
- Fluvanna County Lock Up
- Fork Union Military Academy
- Oakland School
- Village Nursing Center
Parish Organizations & Groups
Several parish-wide organizations strengthen community life and spiritual growth, including the Knights of Columbus, Cursillo, Legion of Mary, and Boy Scouts Troop 138. Scouting is actively promoted for youth ages 11–17, with troop leadership listing and contact details provided in the parish bulletin.
- Knights of Columbus — Bob Maher
- Cursillo — Ellie Henrietta
- Legion of Mary
- Boy Scouts Troop 138 — Chuck Palmer
- Newcomer Ministry
Cemetery & Facilities
The parish maintains the Saints Peter and Paul Columbarium on its grounds, with Mandy Tolano listed as cemetery contact (also listed as Frank Pilk in a more recent bulletin). The Building Fund and Buildings & Grounds committees (led by Charlie/Charles Nicholson) oversee maintenance of the parish plant.
- Saints Peter and Paul Columbarium
- Cemetery contact — Mandy Tolano (540) 595-7173
- Buildings & Grounds — Charlie Nicholson (434) 365-9712
- Building Fund
Parish Staff & Councils
Day-to-day operations are run by a small staff under the pastor (currently Administrator Rev. John Nyanzi, transitioning to Pastor July 1). Colleen Smith serves as Administrative Assistant. Pastoral and Finance Councils advise the pastor on parish priorities.
- Administrator/Pastor — Rev. John Nyanzi (434) 589-5200
- Deacon — Rev. Mr. Robert Allen (434) 589-0941
- Administrative Assistant — Colleen Smith (434) 589-5201
- Coordinator of Religious Education & Youth Ministry — Celeste Shapiola
- Pastoral Council Chair — Doug Mullinex
- Finance Council Chair — Stephen Momper
- Director of Music — Dennis Barberio
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all the usual sacraments. Inquiries about Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick should be directed to the parish office; Celeste Shapiola handles registrations and preparation ([email protected]). Baptisms are typically celebrated on the last weekend of each month.
- Baptism — last weekend of each month (contact office)
- First Communion & Confirmation — via CCD
- RCIA — for adults
- Marriage — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / Homebound Communion — call Parish Office
Visiting, Giving & Live Stream
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed on the parish website, which invites them to join because 'every new parishioner adds richness to our faith community.' The parish offers online giving through Faith Direct, a weekly online bulletin, and a Live Stream Archive (via the website and a YouTube channel) for those unable to attend in person. Mass is also streamed live on Facebook at facebook.com/sppstjonline.
- Faith Direct online giving
- Online Bulletin (weekly PDF)
- Live Stream Archive on the website and YouTube
- Facebook Live at facebook.com/sppstjonline
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John T. Cummings1985
Pastor of St. Joseph's in Columbia; celebrated the very first Eucharist for the Lake Monticello Catholics at the home of Mary Luxhoj on January 26, 1985, with the Bishop's permission.
- Rev. Gerald F. Musuubire
Listed as pastor on third-party parish directories (joinmychurch.com).
- Rev. David M. Ssentamuthrough 2025
Longtime pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul; reflected in a parish reflection titled 'IT'S ONE YEAR NOW' on his first anniversary, including leading the parish through COVID-19. Listed as Pastor in the March 30, 2025 bulletin.
- Rev. John Nyanzi2025–present
Listed by the Diocese of Richmond as Administrator; per a 2026 parish news blast, he was to become Pastor effective July 1.