About St. Mary of the Annunciation · Ladysmith, Virginia
St. Mary of the Annunciation is a Roman Catholic parish in Ladysmith (Ruther Glen), Caroline County, Virginia, belonging to the Diocese of Richmond. Founded in 1914 by a small group of Slovak immigrants in the Woodford community, the parish grew from a modest wooden church built by hand into a vibrant faith community that today offers weekend Masses in English and Spanish, weekday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation, and a drive-up food pantry for neighbors in need. The current church, dedicated on October 16, 1996, was designed by Wisniewski, Blair and Associates of Alexandria and intentionally echoes the simple wooden form of a medieval Slovak church, seating 200–250 in a light-filled, acoustically rich worship space set on a wooded 15-acre campus.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- Mary, Mother of God / The Annunciation (full original title: St. Mary of the Annunciation, Mother of Our Savior)
- Rector
- Rev. Godfred Appiah-Marfo, JCL (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Mary of the Annunciation is a warm, mission-driven parish whose motto is "All Are Welcome!" — explicitly extending that welcome to returning Catholics, the curious non-Catholic, and the Spanish-speaking community (with a weekly Sunday Mass in Spanish at 1:00 PM). Beyond Mass, the parish is a true prayer oasis: daily Mass three days a week, two sessions of Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, monthly First Friday Adoration, Saturday confessions, and Anointing of the Sick every Tuesday after Mass. Members grow through faith formation led by Leslie Ray-Beirne, serve neighbors through a Tuesday/Thursday drive-up food pantry, and gather as a close-knit community on a peaceful, accessible, wooded campus in rural Caroline County.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Annunciation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 – 4:45 PM
- During Adoration (Wednesdays 9:30 AM–12:00 PM and 6:00–7:00 PM; First Fridays at 7:00 PM)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Wednesdays 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- First Fridays of the month at 7:00 PM
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Mary of the Annunciation's homepage opens with a warm invitation: "On behalf of our staff, we are so happy that you are here to find out more about us and what we offer at this wonderful parish. St. Mary of the Annunciation in Ladysmith is open to provide an oasis of prayer and community for all who seek the peace that the world cannot give." The parish's stated mission is simply "All Are Welcome!" — and that welcome extends to Catholics, returning Catholics, the merely curious, and the Spanish-speaking community. The parish places great emphasis on the primacy of prayer, especially through the sacramental life of the Church, and explicitly invites non-Catholics to "come and experience our liturgical life."
Our Parish History
The parish was established at the turn of the twentieth century by a small group of Slovak immigrants in the Woodford area of Caroline County, Virginia, under its original name 'St. Mary of the Annunciation, Mother of Our Savior.' A priest from Fredericksburg would travel by train to celebrate Mass in homes on a rotating basis. In 1914 the community built — by their own hands — a small wooden church that served the congregation for more than eighty years; the building had no running water or electricity but had two outhouses. Father Delaunay wrote to the Bishop of Richmond in March 1914 that he had never experienced a Mass so devoutly celebrated as by the people of Woodford; in 1937 Msgr. Francis J. Byrne described them as "among the best Catholics in the Diocese."
The Move to a New Church (1989–1996)
By 1989 Father Michael M. Duffy was raising the question of a new church. In the fall of 1990 Father James F. Kauffmann, S.S.L. was appointed pastor while pursuing doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America. Bishop Walter F. Sullivan purchased 23 acres central to the parish population in 1992. A capital campaign — supplemented by outside donations, the Extension Society, and the Bishop's Appeal — funded the new construction. The parish numbered 88 families when the new church was dedicated on October 16, 1996, with Father Kauffmann preaching that the new church was "a gift come down from heaven as a sign that we can embrace the future with confidence and hope."
Jubilee Year 2000 Pilgrimage Site
During the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, Bishop Walter F. Sullivan designated St. Mary of the Annunciation as an official pilgrimage site where the faithful could gain the Jubilee Indulgence — a notable recognition for a small, rural parish.
Architecture & Campus
The present church, dedicated October 16, 1996, was designed by Wisniewski, Blair and Associates of Alexandria, Virginia. It is a simple wooden structure whose form deliberately echoes a medieval Slovak wooden church — a direct architectural nod to the founding Slovak community. Generous use of windows floods the worship space with natural light, the sanctuary is handicap accessible, and the room seats 200–250. The acoustics are exceptional: members of the Richmond Symphony have praised the church's acoustical quality, and the building once hosted a concert series. The 15-acre wooded campus also includes one small office, one conference room, and a large narthex, with a master plan that later added a social/education facility with additional offices.
Anointing of the Sick
- Every Tuesday after the 9:00 AM Mass
- By appointment
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is currently led by Administrator Rev. Godfred Appiah-Marfo, JCL, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Daniel A. Cogut and Permanent Deacon Rev. Mr. Francis "Frank" Leaming, Jr. supporting liturgical ministry. The office is administered by Rita Blankenbaker. Leslie Ray-Beirne directs Faith Formation. Lay leadership is provided by Parish Council chair Ray Slaughter and Finance Council chair Tina Sebak. The Diocese of Richmond lists the office hours as Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
- Rev. Godfred Appiah-Marfo, JCL — Administrator / Pastor ([email protected], 804-238-1511)
- Rev. Daniel A. Cogut — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. Francis "Frank" Leaming, Jr. — Permanent Deacon (Liturgy Ministries, [email protected], 804-761-5714)
- Rita Blankenbaker — Office Administrator ([email protected])
- Leslie Ray-Beirne — Faith Formation ([email protected], 804-448-9064)
- Ray Slaughter — Parish Council chair ([email protected], 804-241-5270)
- Tina Sebak — Finance Council chair ([email protected], 540-842-4608)
Ministries & Faith Formation
Faith Formation is coordinated by Leslie Ray-Beirne ([email protected]). Liturgy Ministries are organized through Deacon Frank Leaming, who serves as the parish's primary liturgical point of contact. The parish also runs a practical and visible outreach ministry — a weekly drive-up food pantry — and maintains active Parish and Finance Councils.
- Faith Formation / Religious Education
- Liturgy Ministries (Deacon Frank Leaming)
- Parish Council
- Finance Council
- Drive-up Food Pantry (outreach)
- Spanish-language ministry (1:00 PM Sunday Mass)
Outreach: Drive-Up Food Pantry
St. Mary of the Annunciation sponsors a drive-up food pantry every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, open to neighbors in need. Recipients are asked to bring an ID. The pantry is one of the most visible ways the small parish lives out its 'All Are Welcome!' mission in Caroline County.
Joining the Parish
St. Mary of the Annunciation welcomes new parishioners, visitors, returning Catholics, and inquirers. Registration forms can be downloaded from the parish website, picked up in the parish office, or obtained in the narthex. Completed forms may be mailed, delivered to the office during business hours, or emailed to [email protected]. After registration, a welcome packet with helpful information is mailed to the new parishioner. Spanish-speaking registration assistance is also offered.
- Parish Registration form (online, by mail, or in person)
- Welcome packet mailed after registration
- Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Mary of the Annunciation by phone at (804) 448-9064 or by email at [email protected]. The physical address is 10306 Ladysmith Rd., Ruther Glen, VA 22546, with a mailing address of PO Box 396, Ladysmith, VA 22501. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 7) and is parish #625 in the diocesan directory.
- Phone: (804) 448-9064
- Email: [email protected]
- Physical: 10306 Ladysmith Rd., Ruther Glen, VA 22546
- Mailing: PO Box 396, Ladysmith, VA 22501
- Website: http://www.saintmarycc.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Delaunay1914 (and earlier)
Traveled by train from Fredericksburg to celebrate Mass; wrote to the Bishop of Richmond in March 1914 praising the devotion of the Woodford community.
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Byrne, P.A., S.T.D.1937 (and surrounding era)
Praised the Woodford Catholics in a letter to the Bishop as 'among the best Catholics in the Diocese.'
- Oblates of Mary (OMI)Mid-20th century era
Provided pastoral leadership for St. Ann's in Ashland and the mission of St. Mary of the Annunciation.
- Father Michael M. Duffy
Raised the question of building a new church in 1989.
- Father James F. Kauffmann, S.S.L.Fall 1990 – at least 1996
Appointed pastor in fall 1990 while pursuing doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America; oversaw construction and dedication of the new church on October 16, 1996.
- Rev. Jonathan Goertz
Quoted as Pastor on the parish website welcoming returning Catholics.
- Rev. Joseph Morton Biber
Listed by joinmychurch.com as a recent pastor of the parish.