About St. Rose of Lima and the Korean Martyrs · Hampton, Virginia
St. Rose of Lima and the Korean Martyrs is a multicultural Catholic parish in Hampton, Virginia, that uniquely unites an English-speaking congregation descended from a 1948 parish in the historic Wythe section of the city with a Korean Catholic community that has worshipped on the Peninsula since 1980. Formed in its present identity on October 1, 2012 by Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of the Diocese of Richmond, the parish adopted the motto "Ut Unum Sint" ("That They May Be One") from John 17 and celebrates Mass in both English and Korean throughout the week. Located at 2114 Bay Avenue, the parish also reaches out to Korean Catholics across the wider Hampton Roads area through the Riverside Convalescent Center Ministry.
- Established
- 2012 (unified parish; St. Rose of Lima originally opened August 1, 1948)
- Patron
- St. Rose of Lima (and the Korean Martyrs)
- Rector
- Rev. Simon (Hyo Sung) Ahn
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Rose of Lima and the Korean Martyrs is one of the few parishes in Virginia where English-speaking and Korean-speaking Catholics worship as one family under the motto "Ut Unum Sint." A parishioner can attend Mass in English several days a week and in Korean on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, send children to faith formation, and serve the wider Hampton Roads Korean community through the Riverside Convalescent Center Ministry. Practical parish life is supported by an active Ladies of St. Rose organization, a Knights of Columbus council, and a pastor who has led the unified community since 2008.
Mass times at St. Rose of Lima and the Korean Martyrs
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30–4:50 p.m.
- Sunday 11:00–11:25 a.m.
- By appointment
Parish History
Two communities — one English-speaking, one Korean — grew up on opposite sides of the 20th century and came together as a single multicultural Catholic parish in 2012. The English-speaking parish traces its origin to May 17, 1948, when Bishop Peter Ireton established St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in the Wythe section of Hampton, naming Fr. William P. Byrnes as its first pastor. The first Mass was offered in a converted wartime chapel on July 31, 1948, and the parish formally opened on Sunday, August 1, 1948. The Korean Catholic Community of the Peninsula began in 1980 with the arrival of Rev. Andrew Lee, sent by the Diocese of Pusan, and was recognized as a quasi-parish by the Diocese of Richmond in 1989. Sharing the Bay Avenue worship space from 1996 onward, the two communities were united on October 1, 2012 under Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo's direction, with Rev. Simon Hyo Sung Ahn as founding pastor.
- St. Rose of Lima founded: 1948
- Korean Catholic Community of the Peninsula: 1980 (quasi-parish 1989)
- Unified parish: October 1, 2012
- Parish motto: Ut Unum Sint (John 17)
The Korean Martyrs Community
The Korean Catholic Community began with the arrival of Rev. Andrew Lee in 1980, sent by the Diocese of Pusan to minister to Koreans in the Virginia Peninsula area. After being recognized by the Diocese of Richmond as a quasi-parish in 1989, members explored building a separate facility but, in late 1996, asked Rev. R. Francis Muench of St. Rose of Lima if they could share the Bay Avenue church. The Bishop of Pusan sent Rev. Simon Hyo Sung Ahn to lead the community in January 2004, and in 2008 Bishop DiLorenzo appointed him pastor of both communities. Today the parish continues the Korean community's outreach across Hampton Roads through the Riverside Convalescent Center Ministry.
- Rev. Andrew Lee arrived 1980
- Recognized as quasi-parish 1989
- Began sharing St. Rose of Lima facilities in 1996
- Rev. Simon Ahn appointed to lead the Korean community in 2004
Renovation & Building Projects
After unification, the parish undertook a major renovation of its worship space, intended as a model project for the Diocese of Richmond. The renovated church was rededicated by Bishop DiLorenzo on June 16, 2013. Phase two of the project — a redesigned parking lot and grounds with additional spaces and handicap parking — began in August 2017 and was blessed on April 15, 2018.
- Worship space rededicated June 16, 2013
- Parking and grounds project blessed April 15, 2018
Clergy, Staff & Parish Leadership
The parish is served by founding pastor Rev. Simon (Hyo Sung) Ahn, who has led the Korean community since 2004 and the unified parish since 2012. Office staff listed on the parish site include Rose Meidenbauer (Office Manager) and Robert Mac Donald (Administrative Assistant), along with a Parish Council.
- Rev. Simon Ahn, Pastor
- Rose Meidenbauer, Office Manager
- Robert Mac Donald, Administrative Assistant
- Parish Council
Sacraments
The parish website describes sacramental preparation for all seven Catholic sacraments, including Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick, as well as the Becoming Catholic (RCIA) process for those entering the Church. Engaged couples should contact the parish 9 to 12 months before their wedding and bring baptismal (or birth) certificates to their first meeting with the pastor.
- Marriage arrangements made 9–12 months in advance
- Bring recent baptismal certificate (or birth certificate) to first meeting
- Becoming Catholic process available
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Parish life is supported by lay organizations and outreach. The Ladies of St. Rose plan projects and fundraisers that promote spiritual growth, fellowship, and the social needs of the parish and community, working at the pastor's request. The Knights of Columbus council supports the parish through charitable, fundraising, and maintenance work. The Riverside Convalescent Center Ministry extends the parish's reach to Korean Catholics across the Hampton Roads area.
- Ladies of St. Rose
- Knights of Columbus (St. Rose of Lima Council)
- Riverside Convalescent Center Ministry
- Parish Council
Outreach to Korean Catholics in Hampton Roads
Beyond the parish's own bilingual worship life, the Riverside Convalescent Center Ministry carries the parish's mission to Koreans throughout Hampton Roads. This special ministry reflects the parish's unique role as a gathering point for Korean Catholics on the Virginia Peninsula.
- Riverside Convalescent Center Ministry
- Welcomes Korean Catholics across the Peninsula and greater Hampton Roads
Prayer & Devotions
The parish invites prayer requests through the parish office email and an online form, grounding its prayer life in St. Paul's instruction to 'pray without ceasing' (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Reconciliation is offered before weekend Masses and by appointment.
- Prayer requests via email or website form
- Confession Saturday 4:30–4:50 p.m. and Sunday 11:00–11:25 a.m.
Visit, Contact & Practical Information
The parish offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 2114 Bay Avenue, Hampton, VA 23661. Visitors and parishioners can call (757) 245-5513 or email [email protected]. New parishioners are invited to register through the website, and the recently redesigned parking lot offers additional spaces and dedicated handicap parking.
- Address: 2114 Bay Avenue, Hampton, VA 23661
- Phone: (757) 245-5513
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- New parishioner registration available on website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William P. Byrnes1948–
First pastor of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, appointed by Bishop Ireton on May 17, 1948; organized the Altar and Sanctuary Society, Holy Name Society, school and social hall.
- Rev. R. Francis Muench
Pastor of St. Rose of Lima who in late 1996 agreed to share church facilities with the Korean Catholic Community, beginning the association of the two communities.
- Rev. Donald Caveyto 2008
Co-pastor alongside Rev. Simon Ahn; the formal association of the two communities deepened under his and Rev. Ahn's leadership in 2006.
- Rev. Simon Hyo Sung Ahn2008–present
Sent by the Bishop of the Diocese of Pusan in January 2004 to lead the Korean community; on September 1, 2008 appointed pastor of both St. Rose of Lima and the Catholic Community of the Korean Martyrs by Bishop DiLorenzo; founding pastor of the unified parish from October 1, 2012.