About St. Mary · Richlands, Virginia
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a Catholic mission parish in Richlands, Virginia, in the coalfield region of southwest Virginia. Founded in 1962, it is one of four worship sites that together form Holy Family Parish in the Diocese of Richmond, alongside St. Joseph (Grundy), St. Elizabeth (Pocahontas), and St. Theresa (Tazewell). The parish extends its ministry beyond its church walls to local prisons (Keen Mountain and James River Correctional Centers) and hospitals (Clinch Valley and Buchanan General). Weekly Vigil Mass is celebrated on Saturday evening.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Renier Supranes
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Mary's welcomes visitors to its Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings and offers plenty of parking at the church and across the street in the Dalton Addition of Richlands. As one of four missions making up Holy Family Parish, it offers the full sacramental life of the Church — including Confirmation preparation for youth and adults — and serves as a hub of Catholic outreach to local prisons and hospitals. If you live in Tazewell County or the surrounding coalfields, this is a faithful, mission-minded community ready to receive you.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
St. Mary's Catholic Church, Richlands
St. Mary's Catholic Church is the Richlands worship site of Holy Family Parish, a clustered family of four Catholic missions in the coalfield counties of southwest Virginia. Founded in 1962 and now in the Diocese of Richmond, the church stands at 1122 Farmer Street in the Dalton Addition of Richlands, just across the river and train tracks and overlooking the town park locally known as 'Critterville'. The parish welcomes visitors to its Saturday Vigil Mass at 6:00 PM and offers plenty of parking on site and across the street.
- Address: 1122 Farmer Street, Richlands, VA 24641
- Postal/Office: 312 Tazewell Ave., Tazewell, VA 24651
- Phone: (276) 988-4626
- Diocese: Richmond (Deanery 14)
- Founded: 1962
Holy Family Parish — A Cluster of Four Missions
St. Mary does not stand alone. It is one of four Catholic worship sites that together make up Holy Family Parish under a single pastor. The other three missions are St. Joseph in Grundy, St. Elizabeth in Pocahontas, and St. Theresa in Tazewell — together covering Tazewell and Buchanan counties in Virginia's far southwest.
- St. Mary — Richlands
- St. Joseph — Grundy
- St. Elizabeth — Pocahontas
- St. Theresa — Tazewell
Clergy & Staff
Holy Family Parish, which includes St. Mary, is currently served by its pastor, Fr. Renier Supranes. Earlier directories have also listed Fr. Paul Muyimbwa and Fr. Gaudencio G. Pugat, SVD, in connection with the parish. Parish administrative staff have included Bridget Honaker (secretary) and Ross Weeks, Jr. (business administrator).
- Pastor: Rev. Renier Supranes
- Secretary: Bridget Honaker
- Business Administrator: Ross Weeks, Jr.
Parish Ministries
Beyond its weekend liturgical life, Holy Family Parish — including St. Mary — extends Christ's presence to people who cannot easily come to church. This ministry to the incarcerated and the sick is one of the most distinctive features of the parish.
- Prison Ministry at Keen Mountain Correctional Center
- Prison Ministry at James River Correctional Center
- Hospital Ministry at Clinch Valley Hospital
- Hospital Ministry at Buchanan General Hospital
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation at Holy Family Parish is coordinated through the parish office and Father Renier. In the Diocese of Richmond, youth Confirmation is typically received in at least the 10th grade and at age 15 or older. Adults seeking Confirmation who have already been baptized and received First Eucharist can be confirmed according to their level of preparation, sometimes after a longer process for those returning to active faith. The RCIA coordinator for the parish is Ralph Shawver.
- Youth Confirmation (grades 10+, age 15+)
- Adult Confirmation
- RCIA for unbaptized adults and catechumens
- Contact for sacramental prep: Lydia St. Peter — (276) 988-4626
Visiting St. Mary's
If you're coming to Mass at St. Mary's for the first time, plan to arrive in time for the Saturday Vigil at 6:00 PM. The church sits in the Dalton Addition of Richlands, just across the river and the train tracks, with views of the town park affectionately called 'Critterville'. There is plenty of parking both at the church and across the street.
- Saturday Vigil Mass at 6:00 PM
- Parking available at the church and across the street
- Located across the river and train tracks from downtown Richlands
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Renier Supranes
Current pastor of Holy Family Parish, which includes St. Mary in Richlands.
- Father (Collins)1996-2005
Per Catholic Virginian, a jubilarian priest was assigned to the Church of St. Mary of the Holy Family, Richlands, from 1996 to 2005.