About St. Gregory the Great · Virginia Beach, Virginia
St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church is a large, multicultural parish in Virginia Beach, Virginia, canonically established in 1957 and stewarded from the beginning by the Benedictine monks of Saint Benedict's Order. With more than 4,700 registered households, it offers seven weekend Masses in English and Spanish, a Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), RCIA, the Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School (PreK-8), and more than 40 ministries ranging from liturgical and pastoral care to social-justice outreach. The parish blends traditional Catholic practice with the spirit of Vatican II and is known for its Hispanic Ministry, Filipino American Ministry, and a twinning relationship with Haiti.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- St. Gregory the Great (Pope Gregory I, Doctor of the Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel Julius Malingumu
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 2)
Why belong here
St. Gregory's combines traditional Catholic liturgy with the welcoming spirit of Vatican II and is one of the larger parishes in the Virginia Beach area, with more than 4,700 households from across the globe. Parishioners can worship at seven weekend Masses (including a weekly Spanish Mass), send their children to the on-site Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School (PreK-8), grow in faith through RCIA, PREP, youth groups, small faith communities, retreats, and adult formation, and serve in more than 40 ministries — from the Filipino American Ministry and Hispanic Ministry to the Haiti Twinning Committee, Knights of Columbus, Meals on Wheels, and prison ministry at the Virginia Beach City Jail.
Mass times at St. Gregory the Great
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 9:00 am (arrive before 9:45 a.m. to receive the Sacrament)
Adoration times
- First Thursday Eucharistic Adoration (sponsored by the Knights of Columbus St. Benedict Council #9056)
Parish History
From its founding in 1957 to the present day, St. Gregory the Great has been the story of a shared alliance between Virginia Beach's civilian and military population and the Order of St. Benedict. The parish was canonically established in 1957 when the residents of the new Aragona Village subdivision petitioned for a second Catholic parish in Princess Anne County. A 14-acre parcel on Virginia Beach Boulevard was purchased in 1958, a cornerstone was laid in 1959, a school opened in 1964 under the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and a larger church was dedicated in 1988. Today the parish numbers more than 4,700 registered households and embraces the Benedictine values of prayer, hospitality, community, and service.
- Founded: 1957 (Canonically established)
- 1958: 14-acre campus on Virginia Beach Boulevard purchased
- 1959: Cornerstone laid, parish journey begins
- 1964: School opened, staffed by I.H.M. Sisters
- 1988: New church dedicated
- Today: 4,700+ registered households
Clergy and Staff
The parish is served by pastor Fr. Daniel Julius Malingumu, three Benedictine parochial vicars, two permanent deacons, and a Dominican Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as Director of Religious Education/Adult Formation. Pastoral and administrative staff support the daily work of the parish from the rectory and parish offices.
- Rev. Daniel Julius Malingumu — Pastor
- Rev. Cristiano Brito, O.S.B. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. James (Jim) Loew, O.S.B. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mark Wenzinger, O.S.B. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. Darrell Wentworth — Permanent Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Kevin Gorman — Permanent Deacon
- Sr. Emily Faubion, I.H.M. — DRE / Adult Formation
- Mrs. Laura Sage — Pastoral Associate
- Mrs. Toni Redifer — Church Administrator
- Mrs. Lorie Padilla — Coordinator of Finance
- Mrs. Marge Redifer — Bookkeeper
- Mrs. Sue Bucher — Social Justice & Pastoral Care
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation is a central part of parish life. Children in kindergarten through eighth grade are served by the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), which prepares them for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Adults who have never been baptized, or who are coming into full communion with the Catholic Church, journey through the RCIA. Children age 7 and older enter the Church through the children's RCIA process. The Director of Religious Education and Adult Formation, Sr. Emily Faubion, I.H.M., oversees the work alongside youth groups, Life Teen, Vacation Bible School, and ongoing adult faith activities.
- Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) K-8
- RCIA for adults
- Children's RCIA (age 7 and older)
- Adult Faith Activities
- Youth Groups / Life Teen
- Vacation Bible School
- Small Faith Communities
Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School
Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School (SGGS) is the parish school for grades PreK through 8, sharing the Virginia Beach Boulevard campus at 5343 Virginia Beach Boulevard. Founded in 1964 and originally staffed by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the school is recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Academic Excellence. Students are assessed three times a year with MapGrowth assessments, and the school offers Learning Support, Pathways, and GATE programs. Follows the curriculum of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.
- Grades: PreK-8
- Address: 5343 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
- Phone: (757) 497-1811
- Website: https://sggsvb.org/
- Blue Ribbon School of Academic Excellence
- Learning Support, Pathways, and GATE programs
- Diocese of Richmond curriculum
Ministries and Community Outreach
The parish lists more than 40 ministries and organizations, spanning liturgical, social justice, pastoral-care, and cultural-communal work. Highlights include a full-time Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, Filipino American Ministry, Persons with Disabilities Liaison, Parish Funeral Ministry, and the Haiti Twinning Committee. Outreach beyond the parish includes Blood Drives, Meals on Wheels, assisting local shelters, and a parish food pantry and thrift store. The Knights of Columbus St. Benedict Council #9056 is based at the parish and sponsors Eucharistic Adoration and other works of charity. The parish also runs a prison ministry at the Virginia Beach City Jail.
- Hispanic Ministry (full-time coordinator)
- Filipino American Ministry
- Haiti Twinning Committee
- Persons with Disabilities Liaison
- Parish Funeral Ministry
- Knights of Columbus — St. Benedict Council #9056
- Prison Ministry — Virginia Beach City Jail
- Blood Drives, Meals on Wheels, shelter assistance
- Food pantry and thrift store
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Children in the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) receive First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation preparation. Adults enter the Church through the RCIA, and children age 7 and older have their own process. Couples preparing for marriage, the sick receiving Anointing, and families arranging the funeral liturgies for their loved ones are all served through the parish offices.
- Baptism — infant (through PREP) and children 7+
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA — adult and child catechumenate
Visit, Contact, and Office Hours
The parish offices are open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday 8:00 a.m. to noon. The main phone line is (757) 497-8330 and the parish email is [email protected]. The parish shares a campus with the school along Virginia Beach Boulevard.
- Address: 5345 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462-1889
- Phone: (757) 497-8330
- Fax: (757) 490-1492
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8 am–4 pm; Fri 8 am–12 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Daniel Julius Malingumu
Current pastor. Per the Diocese of Richmond's 2026 clergy assignments (effective July 1, 2026), Fr. Malingumu was previously pastor of St. Gregory the Great and administrator of Church of the Ascension, Virginia Beach, then assigned to be solely pastor of St. Gregory the Great.