About St. Ann · Ashland, Virginia
St. Ann Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Ashland, Virginia, in the Diocese of Richmond, tracing its roots back to 1872 when Bishop John McGill first sent priests to celebrate Mass for the Catholic families of the small railroad village. The parish was formally admitted to the diocese in 1892 and today worships at a church built in 2000 on South Snead Street. It serves roughly 870 families and is known for its longtime partnership with Randolph-Macon College, its twin parish in Dubisson, Haiti, and a wide range of parish ministries spanning faith formation, youth, music, justice and peace, and prison outreach.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- St. Ann (Saint Anne)
- Rector
- Rev. James E. Gordon
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 7)
Why belong here
St. Ann's is a warm, mid-sized Catholic parish of about 870 families that combines a rich 130+ year history with active ministries for every stage of life — children's Christian Formation, a youth ministry and Catholic campus ministry serving Randolph-Macon College, a music ministry, and a robust Justice and Peace ministry that partners with Ashland Christian Emergency Services, Rise Against Hunger, Caritas for the homeless, a prison ministry serving four local facilities, and a twin parish in Dubisson, Haiti. Visitors are welcomed by an engaged pastor and deacon, an 11 a.m. Sunday Mass that is livestreamed via Facebook, and Saturday reconciliation — all in a church that was deliberately designed with room to grow.
Mass times at St. Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM (or by appointment)
About St. Ann Catholic Church
St. Ann Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Ashland, Virginia, part of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. The parish worships at a church on South Snead Street built in 2000, served by a pastor, a permanent deacon, and a full staff of formation, music, youth, and administrative ministers. The parish mission is 'to be a sign of the presence of Christ.'
- Parish mission: to be a sign of the presence of Christ
- Approximately 870 registered families
- Located in Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia
Church History
Catholic life in Ashland dates to 1872, when Bishop John McGill began sending priests to the village. In 1892 Bishop Augustine Van De Vyver formally established Saint Augustine Chapel and a new church was built on England Street by Andrew and Ann Pizzini, named for Mrs. Pizzini's patron saint, Saint Ann. The parish was then staffed by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate for 45 years (1937–1981). After the original England Street church was sold to Randolph-Macon College and the parish worshipped temporarily in the Curtain Center on Snead Street, the present church — designed by architect Robert Winthrop — had its cornerstone laid in 2000 under Msgr. William Sullivan. The 1892 gothic-style altar was preserved in the new chapel, and the large cross from the original church was later moved to the current Snead Street property.
- 1872 — First Masses celebrated for Ashland Catholics
- 1892 — Parish admitted to the Richmond Diocese; church built on England Street
- 1937 — Oblates of Mary Immaculate contracted to staff the parish (45 years)
- 1981 — Returned to the Richmond Diocese
- 2000 — Cornerstone laid for the present church on S. Snead Street
- 2020 — Fr. James E. Gordon named pastor
Sacraments
St. Ann's prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist — and offers the OCIA process (formerly RCIA) for adults and children (age 7+) who are not yet baptized. The parish welcomes those baptized in other Christian traditions and prepares them for reception into the Catholic Church through a profession of faith followed by Confirmation and Eucharist.
- Baptism — for infants and young children
- First Communion — grade 2 and up
- Confirmation — grade 10 and up (must be at least 15 years old)
- Becoming Catholic (OCIA) — for unbaptized adults and children age 7+
- Already-baptized adults preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation preparation at St. Ann's is for teens in at least 10th grade and at least 15 years old. Confirmands attend Sunday Mass presenting them to the congregation, Christian Formation classes, separate Confirmation Preparation Sessions, and an all-day Confirmation retreat (held Saturday, November 1, 2025). Teens in Catholic schools whose formation is part of their academic curriculum only need to register for Confirmation preparation. The Confirmation liturgy date is set by the Bishop.
- Confirmation retreat: Saturday, November 1, 2025
- Prep Sessions typically held on Sundays (e.g., Oct 5, Feb 8, Mar 22, Apr 19)
- Confirmands must provide a new copy of their Baptismal certificate with notations
- Contact: Youth Minister Erin Maguire-Metrey
Christian Formation
St. Ann's Ministry of Christian Formation is committed to sharing the Catholic faith through the Word of God and the Eucharistic Liturgy. Programs are offered for all age groups, from kindergarten through 12th grade, with separate tracks for First Communion preparation (grade 2+), middle and high school Christian Formation, and Confirmation preparation (grade 10+). Scholarships are available so fees are not a barrier.
- Children's Christian Formation (K-grade 5)
- Middle School Christian Formation
- High School Christian Formation
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Catechist volunteers receive a $60 discount toward registration fees
Youth Ministry & Catholic Campus Ministry
St. Ann's has an active youth ministry for middle and high school teens and also operates a Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) for students at Randolph-Macon College. Youth activities include the Teen Leadership Council and One Bread, One Cup gatherings.
- Teen Leadership Council
- One Bread, One Cup
- Catholic Campus Ministry for Randolph-Macon College students
- Youth Minister / Catholic Campus Minister: Erin Maguire-Metrey
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
For adults and children age 7+ who are not baptized, St. Ann's offers the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA — formerly RCIA). The process forms people in the Catholic faith through liturgy, Scripture, prayer, and catechesis, with no set timeline; each person is accompanied as they discern readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). Those already baptized in another Christian denomination can be received into the Catholic Church by making a profession of faith at Mass.
- Contact: Patti Kamper, Minister of Christian Formation — [email protected] or (804) 798-5039 ext. 304
- Open to adults and children (7+) not yet baptized
- Also welcomes already-baptized Christians preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist
Parish Ministries
Beyond faith formation, St. Ann's offers a wide range of parish groups for fellowship, study, and service — including men's and women's groups, a summer book club, parish fellowship events like Coffee & Donuts, the Parish Picnic, and Trunk or Treat.
- Men's Group
- Women's Group
- Summer Book Club
- Coffee & Donuts
- Parish Picnic
- Trunk or Treat
Justice and Peace Ministry & Outreach
St. Ann's Justice and Peace Ministry coordinates the parish's outreach to the wider community — partnering with other Ashland churches on Ashland Christian Emergency Services (ACES), supporting Rise Against Hunger meal packaging events, and assisting Caritas with services for the homeless. The parish also maintains a twin-parish relationship with a church and school in Dubisson, Haiti.
- Rise Against Hunger
- ACES (Ashland Christian Emergency Services)
- Caritas (services for the homeless)
- Twin Parish — Dubisson, Haiti (church and school)
Prison Ministry
St. Ann's Prison Ministry extends pastoral care to incarcerated men and women across four facilities in the region, providing spiritual support, correspondence, and outreach.
- Pamunkey Regional Jail
- Hanover Juvenile Correctional Center
- Barrett Juvenile Correctional Center
- Hanover County Jail
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, a permanent deacon, and a team of lay staff in formation, youth, music, and administrative roles.
- Rev. James E. Gordon — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Lawrence Wayne Mikkelson — Permanent Deacon
- Patti Kamper — Pastoral Associate / Minister of Christian Formation
- Sarah Uy — Coordinator of Christian Formation for Children and Youth
- Erin Maguire-Metrey — Youth Minister / Catholic Campus Minister
- Matthew Brady — Music Minister
- Peggy Heeke — Administrative Assistant
- Liz Whitehead — Bookkeeper
Contact & Visiting
St. Ann's is located at 105 S. Snead Street in Ashland, Virginia, with the parish office open Monday through Thursday mornings and afternoons and Friday mornings. The parish invites Catholics to register and welcomes those exploring the Catholic faith to contact the pastor, Fr. Jim Gordon.
- Address: 105 S. Snead Street, Ashland, VA 23005
- Phone: (804) 798-5039
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon
- Those wishing to join the Catholic Church are encouraged to contact Fr. Jim Gordon
- Catholics wishing to join the parish may register at the church office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. M.F. Dinnean1890–1892
Pre-parish era priest
- Fr. Thomas J. Wilson1893–1895
- Fr. McKeefey1896
- Fr. Wm. B. Hanley1896–1898
- Fr. Smith1897–1898
- Fr. Wm. Gaston Payne1899
- Fr. James E. Collins1899
- Fr. David F. Coleman1899–1907
- Fr. Jos. M. Perrig1907–1911
- Fr. Thos. B. Martin1914
- Fr. Walter J. Nott1919–1927
Under his leadership the Curtain Center parish hall was built (with architect L. Hartsook)
- Fr. John Fahe1927–1929
- Fr. Francis Byrne1929–1937
- Fr. Clement J. Flynn, OMI1937–1940
First Oblate pastor
- Fr. James Cleary, OMI1940
- Fr. W.B. McFadden, OMI1941
- Fr. Timothy B. Wholey, OMI1944
- Fr. Joseph A. Curtin, OMI1951–1961
- Fr. Leo Wetzel, OMI1961
- Fr. Joseph Pucci, OMI1962–1968
- Fr. Patrick Mangan, OMI1968–1971
- Fr. Paul McCartin, OMI1971–1975
- Fr. William McGuire, OMI1975–1981
- Fr. Brian Yanofchick1982–1985
Year parish was returned to Richmond Diocese
- Fr. Carl De Souza1985
- Fr. John Elliott1985–1988
- Fr. Michael Duffy1988–1991
- Fr. John O'Neill1991–1992
- Fr. Dennis Murphy1992–1995
- Fr. David Barry, S.J.1995–1996
- Msgr. William Sullivan1996–2005
Led the design and construction of the present church (cornerstone 2000, architect Robert Winthrop)
- Fr. Christian J. Haydinger2005–2020
St. Ann's longest-serving pastor; grew parish to 871 families; arranged to move the original cross from England Street to current property; retired August 16, 2020
- Fr. James E. Gordon2020–present
Previously Director of Clinical Services at Saint Luke Institute, Silver Spring, MD; appointed by Bishop Barry C. Knestout effective August 17, 2020