About St. Jerome · Newport News, Virginia
St. Jerome Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Denbigh neighborhood of Newport News, Virginia, founded in May 1966 by Bishop John J. Russell of the Diocese of Richmond. Beginning with just 135 families who first worshipped at R.O. Nelson School, the parish grew steadily over six decades and today serves as a worship home, faith-formation center, and community gathering place for the northern Peninsula. Its current pastor is Rev. George M. Prado, assisted by Permanent Deacon Rev. Mr. P. Eric (Grimm) Palm, a team of staff and a broad ministry program that includes youth classes, RCIA, men's and women's groups, and outreach to local retirement and hospital communities.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Jerome
- Rector
- Rev. George M. Prado
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Jerome is a long-established Denbigh parish with deep roots (founded 1966) and a recently renewed Sanctuary (rededicated June 28, 2024) where families can find weekend and daily Mass, regular Confession, and a robust Rosary tradition. Lifelong formation is taken seriously — there are Sunday morning youth classes for middle and high schoolers, Confirmation prep for 10th graders and up, RCIA for adults, plus Mom and Me, a Men's Group, and St. Monica's Group for returning Catholics. The parish also reaches beyond its walls with special ministry to the Warwick Forest Retirement Community and Mary Immaculate Hospital, and maintains its own Saint Jerome Columbarium — making it a true spiritual home across every stage of life on the Virginia Peninsula.
Mass times at St. Jerome
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Tuesday 8:00 AM (before daily Mass)
- Thursday 8:00 AM (before daily Mass)
- Friday 8:00 AM (before daily Mass)
- Wednesday 6:30 AM (before daily Mass)
- By appointment
About St. Jerome Catholic Church
St. Jerome is a Roman Catholic parish in the Denbigh section of Newport News, Virginia, in the Diocese of Richmond. Founded in 1966 by Bishop John J. Russell with 135 families, the parish has grown into a multi-generational community on the Virginia Peninsula, served today by pastor Rev. George M. Prado and Permanent Deacon Rev. Mr. P. Eric (Grimm) Palm. The parish offers weekend and daily Mass, regular Confession, lifelong faith formation and a wide range of parish ministries.
- Founded May 1966 by Bishop John J. Russell
- Diocese of Richmond, Deanery 4
- Pastor: Rev. George M. Prado
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. P. Eric (Grimm) Palm
- 116 Denbigh Blvd, Newport News, VA 23608
Parish History
St. Jerome was established in May 1966 by Bishop John J. Russell, beginning with 135 families who first gathered for Mass at R.O. Nelson School. After a year Bishop Russell approved plans for a permanent church, and in the fall of 1967 — under founding pastor Fr. Hendrick — the parish broke ground on its first building. The original church was dedicated by Bishop Russell on September 2, 1968; what is today called the 'Fellowship Hall' was that first worship space.
- 1966 – Parish established with 135 families; first Masses at R.O. Nelson School
- 1967 – Groundbreaking under founding pastor Fr. Hendrick
- 1968 – Original church dedicated September 2 by Bishop John J. Russell
- 1986 – Groundbreaking (April 6) for a larger worship space after outgrowing the original
- 1987 – New worship space dedicated May 3
- 2000 – Faith and Life Center built for religious education and parish activities
- 2024 – Sanctuary renovated and rededicated June 28 by Bishop Barry C. Knestout
Devotions and Prayer
The Rosary is prayed publicly before weekend Masses, an easy way for parishioners to gather in prayer before liturgy.
- Rosary — Saturdays at 4:30 PM
- Rosary — Sundays at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM
Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Jerome spans cradle to adult. The Faith and Life Center (built 2000) houses classrooms for youth religious education and adult offerings, including Sacramental Preparation for adults returning to or entering the Catholic Church.
- Youth Classes for Middle and High School — Sundays 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM, Main Church classrooms
- Confirmation preparation for 10th graders and up
- Adult Faith Formation / Sacramental Preparation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Sundays 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM, upstairs in the Faith and Life Center
- Preschool care available during adult classes
Parish Groups and Adult Community
St. Jerome hosts several lay-led gatherings that build community and grow disciples beyond the sanctuary walls — for men, mothers with young children, and Catholics praying for those who have drifted from the faith.
- St. Monica's Group — meets Mondays at 5:00 PM in the church, praying for those who have fallen away
- Men's Group — men of all ages meet the 2nd Tuesday each month to share and grow in faith
- Mom and Me — monthly gathering for moms and their little ones to share and grow in faith
- Adult classes — Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 PM (downstairs classroom) and Thursdays 10:00–11:30 AM (Main Hall, Faith and Life Center)
Outreach and Special Ministries
Reaching beyond its own walls, St. Jerome maintains formal pastoral ministry to two local care facilities, bringing the Eucharist and the presence of the parish to those who cannot easily come to church.
- Warwick Forest Retirement Community
- Mary Immaculate Hospital
Saint Jerome Columbarium
The parish operates the Saint Jerome Columbarium, a sacred place for the cremated remains of parishioners and their families on the parish grounds. Inquiries are handled through the parish office.
- Cemetery Name: Saint Jerome Columbarium
- Phone: (757) 877-5021
Staff Directory
The parish is led by pastor Rev. George M. Prado and supported by a permanent deacon, a faith-formation director, youth minister, minister of music, office manager, and maintenance staff.
- Pastor — Rev. George Prado
- Deacon — Rev. Mr. P. Eric (Grimm) Palm
- Director of Faith Formation — Margaret Curtis
- Youth Minister — Connor Ware
- Minister of Music — Lenny Woynic
- Office Manager — Andrew Buckles
- Janitor / Maintenance
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Hendrick1967 – (founding pastor at groundbreaking)
Pastor at the time of the 1967 groundbreaking for the original church.