About St. Ann · Chesterfield, Virginia
St. Ann Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond located on Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) in South Chesterfield, Virginia. Founded in 1925 by a small group of Czech (Bohemian) Catholic farm families from the greater Prince George / Colonial Heights area, it began as a mission chapel served by priests from Sacred Heart in Prince George and has grown into an active parish known for its warm, family-style community and remarkably strong outreach programs. Today the parish is led by Father Ernest Livasia Bulinda, a priest from Kenya, with Permanent Deacon Christopher Corrigan and a pastoral associate, and it is especially recognized regionally for its food pantry and biannual 'Pass It On' children's clothing event.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- St. Ann (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Ernest Livasia Bulinda
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 9)
Why belong here
St. Ann is the kind of mid-sized parish where it is easy to be known — over a hundred volunteers serve at Mass each weekend, the food pantry hands out groceries to roughly 850 people a month, and the twice-yearly Pass It On event turns the parish hall into a free 'department store' for babies and children referred by local agencies. Add daily and weekend Masses (with the 11:15 am Sunday Mass livestreamed), a full faith-formation program for children and youth, RCIA and adult formation, an active music ministry with both adult and youth choirs, prison and nursing-home visitation, the parish's cemetery, and the historic Haga Fund that quietly helps families in crisis, and you have a parish whose identity is essentially 'one big family' that prays together and takes care of its neighbors.
Mass times at St. Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Every Saturday, 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
- By appointment
History & Heritage
St. Ann was founded in 1925 by Czech (Bohemian) immigrant farming families from the Prince George–Colonial Heights–Chesterfield area who had previously been served by traveling priests from Sacred Heart, Prince George, celebrating Mass in their homes. With $700 collected by the parishioners, $1,000 from the Catholic Extension Society of Chicago, and other gifts, they erected their own chapel in 1924–1927. On June 6, 1927 the first cross — donated by the Skalicke family — was blessed and placed atop the new steeple (it still crowns Condon Hall today). A small cemetery behind the church was opened in 1929. By the 1950s a larger church was built on Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) in 1954, the original chapel was demolished, and a new worship center was dedicated in 1991, where Mass is currently celebrated. The parish marked its centennial on November 23, 2024 with Bishop Barry C. Knestout.
- Founded 1925 by Bohemian (Czech) Catholic farm families
- First church dedicated 1927; Skalicke-family cross still in use
- Cemetery in continuous use since 1929
- New (current) church built 1954 on Jefferson Davis Hwy
- Worship center addition dedicated 1991
- Centennial celebrated November 23, 2024 with Bishop Knestout
Off-Campus & Outreach Masses
In addition to the chapel Masses on Route 1, the parish takes Mass to those who cannot easily come to church. On the first Thursday of each month, Mass is celebrated at 10:30 AM at the Colonial Heights Nursing and Rehab Center (the 11:00 AM parish chapel Mass is cancelled on those days; all are welcome). On the third Thursday of each month, an additional Mass is offered at 1:30 PM at Dunlop House. On days with a funeral, the daily Mass is often cancelled — the parish email carries the latest information.
- First Thursday, 10:30 AM — Colonial Heights Nursing & Rehab Center
- Third Thursday, 1:30 PM — Dunlop House
- Watch parish email for funeral-day cancellations
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor, a permanent deacon, a pastoral associate, and a full lay staff. Father Ernest Livasia Bulinda (originally from Kenya) has been pastor since approximately 2021 and was the concelebrant at the parish's 2024 centennial Mass with Bishop Knestout. Permanent Deacon Christopher Corrigan assists with liturgical life and sacramental preparation. Katie Johnson serves as Pastoral Associate and is the main contact for funerals, baptisms, the Haga Fund, and many other pastoral needs. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM and Friday by appointment.
- Pastor: Rev. Ernest Livasia Bulinda (Option 1)
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Christopher Corrigan (Option 2)
- Pastoral Associate: Katie Johnson (Option 4)
- Business Manager: Melissa Pakurar (Option 3)
- Bookkeeper: Sal Errico (Option 5)
- Receptionist / Admin Assistant: Nancy Robbins (Option 6)
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Samuel Moss (Option 7)
- Director of Youth Ministry: Elise Chapman (Option 9)
- Music Coordinator: Chris Lothamer
- Sacramental Emergency Line: (804) 621-2687
Liturgy & Music Ministries
Quality liturgy, the parish notes, 'does not happen on its own' — more than 100 volunteers serve at Mass each weekend as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, greeters, sacristans, and more. Training is provided and all roles are scheduled in advance through the church office. The Music Ministry, led by Music Coordinator Chris Lothamer, includes the St. Ann Adult Choir (rehearsals Wednesdays at 7:00 PM) and the Youth Choir (rehearses one hour before the Sunday-evening Youth Group session), with high-school musicians leading the monthly 'Celebrate' Youth Mass and the 4:00 PM Christmas Eve Mass. Anyone interested is invited to 'Come & See' — no audition required.
- Over 100 liturgical volunteers per weekend
- St. Ann Adult Choir — Wednesdays 7:00 PM
- Youth Choir — Sundays before Youth Group
- Monthly 'Celebrate' Youth Mass
- Christmas Eve 4:00 PM Mass with Adult Choir
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Ann offers Christian formation for every age and stage. The elementary program (PreK–5th grade) meets Sunday mornings from 9:45–11:00 AM between Masses and uses the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, pairing lectionary-based lessons with a Faith Formation Handbook; it includes outreach, prayer, music and crafts, plus Family Advent and Lenten Stations of the Cross celebrations, and 'Fun with Faith Days.' A Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 4 through Grade 2) is offered during the Sunday Masses from September to May. Youth Ministry (6th–12th grade), under Director Elise Chapman, includes formation, Youth Confirmation, and the Celebrate Youth Mass.
- Elementary Faith Formation (PreK–5) — Sundays 9:45–11:00 AM
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 4–Grade 2)
- Youth Ministry & Confirmation (6th–12th grade)
- Vacation Bible School (one week each summer, ages 4–rising 6th grade)
- Family Advent celebration & Lenten Stations of the Cross
- Special-needs and bilingual resources available on request
First Sacraments & Baptism
St. Ann prepares children and youth for the Sacraments of Initiation and Healing. First Reconciliation is prepared in fall/winter and must precede First Eucharist (winter/spring); both are offered for children in grades 2–12 who are baptized Catholic and currently in Christian formation, with a bilingual at-home workbook available. Baptisms for infants and young children (birth through age 6) are celebrated at weekend Masses after two parent preparation classes. Children and youth ages 7–18 preparing for Baptism follow an adapted Catechumenate (RCIA) process, typically culminating in the combined celebration of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist.
- First Reconciliation — fall/winter, grades 2–12
- First Eucharist — winter/spring, grades 2–12 (after First Reconciliation)
- Infant/child Baptism (birth–6) — at weekend Masses after parent classes
- Baptism for ages 7–18 — adapted RCIA / Catechumenate
- Bilingual parent workbook available
Adult Formation, RCIA & Marriage
Adult faith formation, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for the unbaptized and uncatechized, adult Confirmation, adult sacraments, marriage preparation, and questions about annulments are all coordinated through the parish office. Couples wishing to be married at St. Ann are asked to contact Father Ernest at least six months before their desired wedding date.
- Adult Faith Formation / Adult Sacraments
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Marriage — contact Fr. Ernest 6+ months in advance
- Annulment information via parish office
Outreach & Pastoral Care
St. Ann is widely known in the area for the scale and warmth of its outreach. The Our Daily Bread Food Pantry is a collaborative ministry with eight other area churches, open Monday through Friday and serving about 850 people a month; a parish vegetable garden grows fresh produce for the pantry, and parishioners pick up perishables from local grocery stores weekly. Twice a year the parish hosts Pass It On, a free children's 'department store' with clothing, toys, bikes, diapers, shoes, and maternity items for referred families. Family Assistance helps with rent, utilities, medications, gas, and food in emergencies; the Haga Fund (endowed in 2010 from the estate of Elisa Haga) has quietly distributed nearly $200,000 to parish families in crisis. Other outreach includes the PB & J Ministry (monthly bagged lunches for the HOPE Center in Petersburg), Prison Ministry at FCI Petersburg (Low and Medium Security) and Riverside Regional Jail, and visitation of residents at Colonial Heights Convalescent Center.
- Our Daily Bread Food Pantry — Mon–Fri, ~850 people/month
- Food Pantry Vegetable Garden
- Pass It On — biannual, spring and fall
- Family Assistance — emergency financial help
- Haga Fund — endowed aid for parish families
- PB & J Ministry — monthly lunches for the HOPE Center
- Prison Ministry — FCI Petersburg (Low & Medium) and Riverside Regional Jail
- Colonial Heights Convalescent Center visits
St. Ann Cemetery & Columbarium
Behind the original (and later the new) church sits St. Ann Cemetery, begun in 1929 with the first interment of one of the Bohemian founding families. Fifty-two burials are recorded there, the great majority of them original Bohemian immigrants. Upkeep has been carried out faithfully by descendants of those families and through several Eagle Scout projects. A parish cemetery / columbarium committee can be contacted through the parish office for information.
- First interment: 1929
- 52 recorded burials, mostly original Bohemian immigrants
- Maintained by descendants and Eagle Scout projects
- Columbarium also on the parish grounds
Funerals & Pastoral Care in Times of Need
While a funeral is not itself a sacrament, St. Ann treats it as an important moment of pastoral care. Families are asked to contact Father Ernest or Katie Johnson, the Pastoral Associate, as soon as a loved one has died so that the parish can work with them and the funeral home on arrangements and offer prayer and support. The parish also encourages pre-planning one's own funeral as a gift to loved ones.
- Contact: Fr. Ernest Bulinda or Katie Johnson ([email protected])
- Pre-planning your own funeral encouraged
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ernest Livasia Bulindaapprox. 2021–present
Originally from Kenya; celebrated the parish's centennial Mass with Bishop Barry C. Knestout in November 2024.