About St. Olaf · Williamsburg, Virginia
St. Olaf Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 104 Norge Lane in the Norge community of Williamsburg, Virginia, serving the western James City County area. Founded in 1992, it is part of the Diocese of Richmond and now counts more than 800 families across its active faith community. The parish welcomes visitors with the motto displayed on its commons wall beneath a statue of the Risen Christ: 'All Are Welcome.' Weekend and daily Masses are offered year-round, with Reconciliation scheduled before the Saturday Vigil and following Friday morning Mass, and Eucharistic Adoration held monthly on the first Thursday.
- Established
- 1992
- Patron
- St. Olaf (Patron of Norway)
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas E. Mattingly
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Olaf is a mid-sized, growing parish of more than 800 families that takes its 'All Are Welcome' motto literally — whether you're a visitor, returning Catholic, or inquirer through OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). Families with young children benefit from twice-monthly Children's Liturgy of the Word during the 10 AM Sunday Mass, while middle and high schoolers engage through the EDGE (grades 6–8) and Life Teen (grades 9–12) programs. Adults grow in faith through Bible studies, sharing groups, and video series facilitated by Coordinator of Christian Formation Terri Chang; the parish also maintains a Knights of Columbus Council (#12589) that supports numerous charitable causes. Distinctive features include a monthly Eucharistic Adoration on first Thursdays, a Rosary recited each Wednesday, an on-site columbarium with 384 niches, and a brand-new Pastoral Center coming online to expand faith formation.
Mass times at St. Olaf
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday at 11:00 AM
- Saturday at 4:00 PM
- By appointment (call 757-564-3819)
Adoration times
- First Thursday of the month — Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins after the 10:00 AM Mass (approximately 10:30 AM) and continues until 5:30 PM
About St. Olaf Catholic Church
St. Olaf Catholic Church is a parish in the Diocese of Richmond serving the Norge and western Williamsburg community of James City County, Virginia. Founded in 1992, it has grown into a faith community of more than 800 families. The parish greets everyone with the words 'All Are Welcome,' the message displayed on its commons wall beneath a statue of the Risen Christ.
- Patron: St. Olaf of Norway (feast day July 29)
- Founded 1992; part of the Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 5)
- Location: 104 Norge Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23188
- Phone: (757) 564-3819 — [email protected]
History & Growth
St. Olaf was founded in 1992 in the Norge area west of Williamsburg to serve the growing Catholic population there. The parish grew steadily through its first decade; by 1999 it had become substantial enough to charter its own Knights of Columbus Council (#12589). Through the 2010s, expanding ministry needs drove a major construction project to enlarge the church, followed in the 2020s by a capital campaign for a dedicated Pastoral Center. The Capital Campaign ultimately received 354 gifts totaling more than $2.5 million.
- 1992 — Parish founded
- 1999 — Knights of Columbus Council #12589 chartered (Nov. 30)
- Late 2000s/2010s — Worship Center expansion (17,422 sq. ft.)
- 2023 — Pastoral meeting (Sept. 14) to plan new Pastoral Center
- Capital Campaign raised $2.5M+ across 354 gifts
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Thomas E. Mattingly and is served by two active permanent deacons and two retired deacons. Support and ministry staff include a Coordinator of Christian Formation, a Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, a Middle School Youth Leader, a Director of Music and Liturgy, a Business Manager, an Accountant, and an Administrative Assistant.
- Rev. Thomas E. Mattingly — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Mr. Edward Handel — Deacon ([email protected])
- Rev. Mr. Robert Kruse — Deacon ([email protected])
- Rev. Mr. R. Tom Thompson — Deacon, Retired
- Rev. Mr. Neil Zachary — Deacon, Retired
- Ann Mattio — Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry
- Madeline Sheets — Middle School Youth Leader (EDGE)
- Terri Chang — Coordinator of Christian Formation
- David E. Fielding — Director of Music and Liturgy
- Thomas Hipple — Business Manager
- Nancy Moran — Accountant
- Karen Handel — Administrative Assistant
Becoming Catholic (OCIA) & Adult Formation
Adults interested in becoming Catholic — or baptized Catholics in need of Confirmation — are accompanied through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). Preparation is available year-round for those not yet baptized, those baptized in another Christian tradition, and baptized Roman Catholics seeking Confirmation. Contact Deacon Bob Kruse at [email protected] or the parish office. The Adult Formation program supports ongoing faith growth through sharing groups, published video series, Bible study, and spiritual books, under the coordination of Terri Chang. Recent and upcoming studies include a study of 'The Creed' (Pillar I from the Catechism), 'Lectio: Eucharist' with Dr. Brant Pitre, 'Lectio: Peter: Cornerstone of Catholicism' with Dr. Tim Gray, and a study of St. Paul's letter to the Galatians.
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic) — Deacon Bob Kruse, [email protected]
- Coordinator of Christian Formation: Terri Chang, [email protected], 757-564-3819 x 206
- Studies include The Creed (Sean Innerst), Lectio: Eucharist (Dr. Brant Pitre), Lectio: Peter (Dr. Tim Gray), and Galatians (Drs. Barber and Prothro)
- Wednesday Women Faith Group meets Wednesdays at 10:40 AM in the Parish Hall
Youth Ministry — Saint Olaf Teens for Christ
St. Olaf's youth ministry is built on the Life Teen model, an internationally recognized Catholic youth program. It seeks to lead teens into a personal relationship with Christ, build the foundations of lifelong discipleship, and call young people to be evangelizers of their families, peers, and community. Programming runs throughout the year and includes retreats, conferences, Bible studies, service projects, an annual mission trip, and sacramental preparation, including Confirmation.
- EDGE — middle school youth ministry, grades 6–8 (Madeline Sheets)
- Life Teen — high school youth ministry, grades 9–12
- Confirmation preparation
- Youth retreats, conferences, mission trip, and service projects
- Contact: Ann Mattio, [email protected], 757-564-3819 x 207
Worship Center & Pastoral Center
The current church building is the result of a major 17,422-square-foot worship-center expansion completed for the parish. The expansion enlarged the sanctuary to 750 seats and added an in-ground baptistery pool with fountain, acoustical wall paneling, LED lighting, additional commons seating near the grand entrance, and a daily Mass chapel with views at all angles. Construction was carried out by W.M. Jordan Company (Construction Manager at Risk) while the existing church remained fully operational. A new ~10,500 sq. ft. Pastoral Center is being built on the corner of Richmond Road and Norge Lane to provide adequate, safe, and secure space for evangelization and ministry — including two atriums dedicated to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd elementary formation, two restrooms designed for small children, classrooms, meeting rooms, and an administrative wing with eleven offices. The project is estimated at $3 million, funded primarily through the capital campaign.
- Worship center: 750 seats, in-ground baptistery, acoustical paneling, LED lighting
- Pastoral Center: ~10,500 sq. ft. on the corner of Richmond Road and Norge Lane
- Includes two Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atriums
- Capital campaign raised $2.5M+ over 354 gifts
- Anticipated groundbreaking summer 2025
Knights of Columbus Council #12589
The St. Olaf Council of the Knights of Columbus was chartered on November 30, 1999, by 28 founding brother knights and four prospective members. Like the parish itself, the council embodies the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Today the council has grown to more than 90 brother knights and supports both parish ministries and a wide range of charitable works in the wider community.
- Chartered November 30, 1999
- Today: over 90 brother knights
- Supports: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, KOVAR Campaign, Angels of Mercy, American Red Cross, St. Olaf Youth Group Outreach, Young Woman/Man of the Year, Culture of Life, Baptism ceremonies, March for Life, diocesan seminarian support, Meals on Wheels, Little Sisters of St. Francis
Columbarium
St. Olaf maintains a beautiful on-site columbarium in the parish garden area, designed to be a continuation of the church in design and color. It contains an initial 384 niches with room for future expansion and is available to all parishioners and their families.
- Initial 384 niches in the garden area
- Single niche (one burial right) — $3,000
- Double niche (two burial rights) — $4,000
- Prices include burial rights, open/close fee, and inscription
- Families purchase an urn (plain black plastic box recommended) from the funeral home
Pastoral Council & Parish Governance
The Pastoral Council meets monthly and assists the Pastor in pastoral decisions about the parish. Council members can be reached at [email protected]. A suggestion box is also renewed in the commons, near the credenza, and suggestions are reviewed mid-month with responses following the monthly meeting.
- Current Pastoral Council members: John Anderson, Steve Douglas, Angela Dereix, Patrick Halloran, Caroline Flood, Charles McMahon, Tim Murphy, Cheryl Sanford, Edward Schmidt, Jennifer Trevino, Carol Passero, Joe Meister, KofC Representative
- Contact: [email protected]
- Suggestion box located in the commons near the credenza
Visiting & Joining the Parish
St. Olaf welcomes visitors, those looking for a new parish home, Catholics returning to the practice of their faith, and inquirers into the Catholic Church. A New Parishioner Registration Form is available on the parish website. Practical information for visitors — parking, hearing assistance, and Children's Liturgy of the Word — is published on the 'Join Us' page.
- Parking: large on-site parking lot with handicap-accessible spaces
- Hearing assistance: headphones available from ushers
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLW): twice a month during the 10:00 AM Mass, for ages 4–7 (registration required)
- New Parishioner Registration Form available on the website