About St. Andrew the Apostle · Chincoteague Island, Virginia
St. Andrew the Apostle is the only Roman Catholic parish on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, serving the island and adjacent mainland within the Diocese of Richmond. A small community of roughly 159 registered families, the parish worships in a former Baptist church that was converted with custom-designed stained glass after becoming its own parish in 1977. Weekend Masses are celebrated in the Parish Hall while daily Masses are held in the church itself, and the community is led by Fr. Gerard Leoval "Sonny" Guadalupe, who was formally installed by Bishop Barry Knestout on March 25, 2023.
- Established
- 1977
- Patron
- St. Andrew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. G. "Sonny" Leoval Guadalupe
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Andrew the Apostle offers the only Catholic worship on Chincoteague Island, with daily Mass mid-week, a Saturday Vigil, and Sunday Mass, plus First Friday Adoration and a Saturday confession window. The parish is small enough to know one another by name, but active: a CCD religious-education program for children, RCIA for adults, a Food Pantry, Justice and Peace ministry, a Bible Apostolate, a Bereavement ministry, and a vibrant music and choir program. Weekend Masses are celebrated in the Parish Hall so the whole community can gather, and the parish warmly welcomes visitors and tourists to its island community.
Mass times at St. Andrew the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:15-4:45 PM (new summer time, or by appointment)
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month after the 9:30 AM Mass
- Holy Thursday 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Holy Week)
About St. Andrew the Apostle
St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church is the only Catholic parish on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, and one of three Catholic parishes on the Virginia Eastern Shore. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Richmond and currently ministers to roughly 159 registered families. It maintains an active sacramental life — daily weekday Mass, a Saturday Vigil, Sunday Mass, First Friday Adoration, and Saturday confessions — and operates a Parish Hall, a Columbarium cemetery, and a year-round Food Pantry. The current pastor is Rev. G. "Sonny" Leoval Guadalupe, who was formally installed by Bishop Barry Knestout on March 25, 2023.
- Parish office (mailing address): 6319 Mumford St, Chincoteague, VA 23336
- Church & Parish Hall: 6288 Church Street, Chincoteague, VA 23336
- Phone: (757) 336-5432
- Fax: (757) 336-3515
- Emergency line: (757) 894-9696 (Jamie Grant)
- Office hours: closed Monday; Tuesday & Thursday 8 AM-3 PM; Wednesday 10 AM-3 PM
Our History
Catholic life on Chincoteague began around 1947-1949 when Father Bennett McNulty of St. Peter's Parish in Onley, VA began celebrating Sunday Mass on the island. Father Rudolph Miller of Holy Name of Jesus, Pocomoke, MD, took over the mission in 1958. In 1975 the Virginia Eastern Shore was transferred from the Diocese of Wilmington to the Diocese of Richmond, and the community became a mission of St. Peter's, Onley. In September 1977 the congregation was formally established as its own parish with Father John Murray as the first pastor; the worship space, formerly a Baptist church, was transformed with custom-designed stained glass. A new steeple and statues of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph were added in 1990, and the Parish Hall and first columbarium were built under Father Paschal Kneip, OSB (2003-2010). Father Sonny Guadalupe was installed as pastor on March 25, 2023.
- 1947-1949: First Masses celebrated by Fr. Bennett McNulty of St. Peter's, Onley
- 1958: Mission served by Fr. Rudolph Miller of Holy Name of Jesus, Pocomoke
- 1975: Virginia Eastern Shore joins the Diocese of Richmond
- September 1977: Parish established; first pastor Fr. John Murray
- February 1982: Rectory dedicated
- 1986: Fr. John Prinelli begins migrant ministry
- 1990: New steeple and statues of Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph
- June 2003-December 2010: Fr. Paschal Kneip, OSB builds Parish Hall and first columbarium
- October 2014: Parish reverts to mission status under Fr. Michael Imperial
- August 2020: Fr. Gerard Leoval "Sonny" Guadalupe takes over
- March 25, 2023: Fr. Sonny formally installed by Bishop Barry Knestout
Liturgical Seasons & Devotions
The parish website links to USCCB daily Mass readings, the liturgical calendar, and information on the Saints and the Liturgical Seasons of the Church. It also maintains an active prayer life beyond Sunday Mass, including a Zoom rosary three mornings a week, an in-person Tuesday Bible Study, and a Thursday Social Justice meeting.
- Zoom Rosary: Mon/Tue/Wed at 8:30 AM (Meeting ID 833 7171 7909)
- Tuesday Bible Study: 3:30-5:00 PM
- Tuesday Rosary: 3:45 PM
- Thursday Social Justice: 1:00 PM
- First Friday Adoration
- Holy Week: Holy Thursday Mass 6 PM, Adoration 7-9 PM; Good Friday 3 PM; Holy Saturday 7 PM; Easter Sunday 9:30 AM
Our Patron Saint
The parish takes its name from St. Andrew the Apostle, brother of Simon Peter, a fisherman of Bethsaida of Galilee and one of the first four Apostles called by Christ. According to tradition, after Pentecost Andrew preached throughout Cappadocia, Galatia, Bithynia, the lands of the Scythians, Byzantium, Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly, and Achaia. He was martyred by crucifixion at Patrae in Achaia during the reign of Nero, on November 30, AD 60, and is honored as the patron of Russia and Scotland. His feast day is November 30.
- Feast day: November 30
- Crucified on a decussate (X-shaped) cross at Patrae, Achaia
- Patron of Russia and Scotland
- Relics translated to Constantinople c. AD 357; later moved to Amalfi, Italy
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Parochial Administrator Rev. G. "Sonny" Leoval Guadalupe, with day-to-day operations handled by Business Manager Jamie Grant and Administrative Assistant Suzanne Dukes. The Diocese of Richmond also lists Very Rev. Sean M. Prince, V.F. in an administrative role.
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. G. "Sonny" Leoval Guadalupe
- Business Manager: Jamie Grant (also leads Food Pantry, Money Counters)
- Administrative Assistant: Suzanne Dukes (also Ushers contact)
- Diocese administrator: Very Rev. Sean M. Prince, V.F.
Parish Ministries
St. Andrew's runs an extensive lay-led ministry program covering worship, faith formation, family life, service to those in need, and parish governance. CCD runs on Sunday mornings during the school year; RCIA and Bible study are offered for adults; a Food Pantry, Justice and Peace, and Bereavement ministry reach out beyond the parish; and a Cemetery/Columbarium ministry cares for the parish's first columbarium built in the 2000s.
- Family & Human Life: Parish Life (Carlah Hatt 607-217-8429); Marriage Encounter (Inez Hernandez 757-336-5432); Bereavement (Lucy Collins 215-435-6174)
- Youth: CCD (Amber Fisher 610-301-5844); Sunday mornings 8:15 AM Sept-May
- Worship: Worship Coordinator (Charlene Pennington 703-537-6557); Music/Choir (Joan Palmer 757-990-1254); Lectors/Eucharistic Ministers (Irene Smyth 757-894-0500); Ushers (Suzanne Dukes 757-336-3084)
- Education: Bible Apostolate (Lorraine Kodjak 757-336-6974); RCIA (Amber Fisher 610-301-5844)
- Services: Homebound Communion (Lucy Collins 215-435-6174); Justice and Peace (Michelle Gilfoyle 757-894-7487); Food Pantry (Jamie Grant 757-894-9696)
- Temporalities: Maintenance, Cemetery & Columbarium (Stephen Joe 732-864-7817), Money Counters (Jamie Grant)
- Committees: Finance Committee (Kevin Keating, Phil Ramage, Allen Andreatch, Margie Gladfelter, Rosanne Baker); Parish Pastoral Committee (Paul Miller, Jack Bear, Janet Whalen, Thomas Platt, Carrole Welsh)
- Heritage: Migrant Ministry, started 1986 by Fr. Prinelli
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Baptisms are scheduled at least three months in advance; marriage preparation begins at least six months before the wedding date; Holy Communion is available to those with gluten intolerance via chalice-only; Anointing of the Sick is offered in emergencies and after any Mass by request; and the Office of Vocations handles Holy Orders discernment.
- Baptism: contact Parish Office 3 months in advance
- Confirmation: contact Parish Office
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:15-4:45 PM or by appointment
- Holy Eucharist / First Communion: enrollment via Parish Office
- Anointing of the Sick: emergency line 757-894-9696, or request after Mass
- Holy Matrimony: contact Pastor 6+ months ahead
- Holy Orders: Diocese of Richmond Office of Vocations — richmondvocations.org
Cemetery and Columbarium
St. Andrew's operates a Columbarium — the parish's first, built during Father Paschal Kneip's pastorate (2003-2010). The Columbarium is located at the church address, 6288 Church Street, Chincoteague, and inquiries go through the parish office at (757) 336-5432.
- Cemetery Name: St. Andrew the Apostle Columbarium
- Address: 6288 Church Street, Chincoteague, VA 23336
- Contact: Stephen Joe, 732-864-7817
- Parish phone: (757) 336-5432
Visit & Contact
The parish welcomes visitors and tourists — the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce notes the church is open year-round for prayer until 5 PM and invites all tourists to attend Mass. Masses are live-streamed on the parish Facebook page, and weekend Masses move to the Parish Hall. Holiday weekends can affect the schedule; the parish asks visitors to call ahead.
- Mailing address: 6319 Mumford St, Chincoteague, VA 23336
- Church & Hall: 6288 Church Street, Chincoteague, VA 23336
- Phone: (757) 336-5432; Fax: (757) 336-3515
- Emergency: (757) 894-9696 (Jamie Grant, Business Manager)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: standrewci.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/saintandrew.church.5
- Live-streamed Mass via Facebook page
- Diocesan Appeal: richmondcatholicfoundation.org/appeal/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Murray1977 - c.1986
First pastor when the mission became its own parish in September 1977; oversaw conversion of the former Baptist building with custom stained glass.
- Fr. John Prinelli1986 - c.2003
Began migrant ministry to the Eastern Shore's agricultural workers.
- Fr. Paschal Kneip, OSBJune 2003 - December 2010
Arrived from St. Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, PA; built the Parish Hall and the parish's first columbarium.
- Fr. Richard Chirichiello, OSBto October 2014
Succeeded Father Paschal as the second Benedictine pastor.
- Fr. Michael ImperialOctober 2014 - August 2020
Led the parish during its years as a mission parish; later moved to St. Peter's in Onley.
- Rev. G. "Sonny" Leoval GuadalupeAugust 2020 - present
Formally installed as pastor by Bishop Barry Knestout on March 25, 2023.