About St. Benedict · Richmond, Virginia
Saint Benedict Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Richmond, Virginia's Museum District, founded in 1911 by Benedictine monks to serve German-heritage Catholics migrating west from downtown. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Richmond and is best known for its majestic Roman-basilica church (dedicated 1929) and its reverent, more traditional worship. The parish also operates Saint Benedict Catholic School (PreK–8) on Grove Avenue and hosts Oktoberfest, a three-day German festival that draws roughly 40,000 people each September for Catholic education.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- Saint Benedict
- Rector
- Rev. John David Ramsey
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Saint Benedict offers a more traditional, reverent style of worship in a Roman-basilica church widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Diocese of Richmond. The parish is anchored by Saint Benedict Catholic School (PreK–8) with a classical curriculum and a small-school community where every student is known. Members participate in long-standing ministries — Knights of Columbus, Cor men's group, Endow women's study, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Moms Group, and the parish's signature Oktoberfest — making it both a neighborhood parish in the Museum District and a destination for Catholics from across the region.
Mass times at St. Benedict
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM
- Wednesday: 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- First Friday of the Month: 7:00 PM through 8:00 AM on First Saturday
History & Heritage
Founded in 1911 to minister to Catholics of German ancestry migrating west from downtown Richmond, Saint Benedict was established under an agreement between Bishop Augustine Van de Vyver of Richmond and Bishop Leo Haid, OSB, of Belmont Abbey. Benedictine monks opened a boys' high school (Benedictine College) and the parish in what is today the Museum District, later adding an elementary school (1919) and Saint Gertrude High School for Girls (1922). The current Roman-basilica church was dedicated on August 28, 1929 by Bishop Andrew Brennan, and includes Byzantine and Gothic ornamentation. After navigating the post-Vatican II liturgical shifts of the 1970s–80s, the monks formed an independent abbey in 1989 (Mary, Mother of the Church) and ceded the parish to diocesan care in 1999 due to declining vocations. Today's Saint Benedict is known as a more traditional parish anchored by its majestic church and reverent worship.
- Founded 1911 by Benedictine monks for German-heritage Catholics
- Church dedicated August 28, 1929 by Bishop Andrew Brennan
- Benedictine monks ceded parish care to diocese in 1999
- Guiding motto: ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Father John David Ramsey with the assistance of Deacon Ed Owen, Jr. and seminarian Christopher Weyer. A small administrative and music staff supports parish operations from the Parish Center attached to the church.
- Rev. John David Ramsey — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Edward Owen, Jr. — Permanent Deacon
- Christopher Weyer — Seminarian
- Ida B. O'Leary — Administrative Manager
- Brian Wingfield — Director of Finance
- Cathy Pendleton — Bookkeeper
- Joel S. Kumro — Choirmaster and Organist
- Ben Fleser — Director of Evangelization and Catechesis
- Trevor Hamilton — Associate Director of Evangelization and Catechesis
- Steve Drew — Facilities Manager
- Sean Cruess — Principal of Saint Benedict Catholic School
Parish Groups & Faith Formation
Saint Benedict runs an active Evangelization and Catechesis program and supports a wide range of parish groups for men, women, young adults, and families. Groups meet in the Parish Center and at the school.
- Knights of Columbus — Father William J. Nolte Council (third Thursday, 7 PM)
- Cor — Men's Small Group (second and fourth Thursday, 7:30 PM)
- That Man is You — Saturday morning men's program with talks from Catholic presenters
- Endow — Women's study group meeting monthly on the Holy Rosary
- Lilies of the Holy Trinity Women's Society (second Sunday of each month)
- Moms Group — playground play dates and outings
- Young Adult Flocknote for monthly young-adult updates
Service, Charity & Outreach
Service is organized through the Works of Mercy Committee established by Father John David, along with parish-wide ministries such as the SVDP RVA Conference, the Baptismal Blanket Ministry, and the Hospitality Committee that welcomes newcomers at parish events.
- Works of Mercy Committee — Blessing Bag event for the homeless, donation drives, mission trips
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP RVA) — compassionate service to those in need
- Baptismal Blanket Ministry — handmade blankets gifted to newly baptized babies
- Hospitality Committee — parish events and welcoming new members
- Oktoberfest — annual fundraiser for Catholic education
Oktoberfest
Each September the parish organizes this German beer-and-food festival, patterned on Munich's world-famous Oktoberfest, honoring the German heritage that was instrumental in building the parish. It raises tens of thousands of dollars for Catholic education and draws approximately 40,000 people.
- Three-day festival each September
- Approximately 40,000 attendees
- Funds raised support Catholic education
- More info at stbenedictoktoberfest.com
Saint Benedict Catholic School
Saint Benedict Catholic School is a parish ministry at 3100 Grove Avenue, founded in 1919 as the outgrowth of the old St. Mary School. It is Richmond's oldest parochial school and offers the only Catholic and Classical curriculum for grades Junior Kindergarten through 8 in the area. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association and the Diocese of Richmond. Its motto is 'Faithfully Catholic, we educate children in the Classical tradition.'
- Founded 1919; located at 3100 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221
- Grades Junior Kindergarten through 8
- Accredited by Middle States Association and Diocese of Richmond
- Approximately 218 students with a 16:1 student-teacher ratio
- Phone: (804) 254-8850 — saintbenedictschool.org