About St. Thomas Aquinas · Charlotte, North Carolina
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church is a large Roman-Latin rite parish of the Diocese of Charlotte located at 1400 Suther Road in northeast Charlotte, North Carolina, serving the Catholic community surrounding the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and areas of northeast Mecklenburg and southern Cabarrus counties. The parish is home to more than 2,300 registered families and offers a rich liturgical life that includes both English and Traditional Latin Masses, a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, daily Mass and devotions, and an active Catholic Campus Ministry for UNC Charlotte. The current church is celebrated for its dramatic 18th-century Austrian baldachin over the sanctuary and is also the home of St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Parish on its campus.
- Established
- 1978
- Patron
- St. Thomas Aquinas
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew Paul Codd
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
St. Thomas Aquinas offers a rare combination of large-parish resources and devotional depth: more than 2,300 registered families worship in a sanctuary crowned by a hand-carved 18th-century Austrian baldachin, with a full schedule of daily Masses (including Traditional Latin Mass on Sundays at 11:30 a.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., and First Saturdays at 10 a.m.), a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, Monday and Saturday novenas, multiple daily Rosaries, and the only round-the-clock Eucharistic devotion in the area. The parish is the spiritual home of Catholic Campus Ministry at UNC Charlotte and runs an extensive OCIA (RCIA) program, robust youth and young adult ministries, family catechesis, Knights of Columbus Council 10505, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and ongoing adult formation — making it especially attractive to families, college students, Traditional Latin Mass faithful, and anyone seeking a vibrant faith community in northeast Charlotte.
Mass times at St. Thomas Aquinas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Friday: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at (704) 549-1607, ext. 210
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel (24/7) — sign up for a weekly hour-long holy hour or as a substitute adorer
- Thursday: 6:00–6:45 p.m., followed by Benediction
- Saturday: 4:00–5:00 p.m., followed by Benediction
- First Friday: 7:00–8:00 p.m. — Divine Mercy Holy Hour
- First Saturday: 8:30–9:30 a.m. — Holy Hour of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Parish History
St. Thomas Aquinas was founded in 1978 to serve the Catholic community surrounding UNC Charlotte and the surrounding areas of northeast Mecklenburg and southern Cabarrus counties. Ground was broken on the church complex in June of that year, with the first building an anonymous gift to the parish. A second church (now Aquinas Hall) was dedicated in 1985 with seating for 350, and the Capuchin Franciscan Friars accepted Bishop William G. Curlin's invitation to staff the parish in 1995. The present-day church was consecrated November 25, 1995; a Family Life Center followed in 1997; the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena arrived in 1999; a new Parish Center was completed in 2015; and in 2016 the converted office building provided dedicated space for Catholic Campus Ministry for UNC Charlotte. The 2017–2018 sanctuary renovation and installation of the 18th-century Austrian baldachin was the most recent major milestone.
- Founded 1978 by Father Joe Zuschmidt, OSFS
- First church building received as an anonymous gift; ground broken June 1978
- Second church (Aquinas Hall) dedicated 1985 (350 seats)
- Capuchin Franciscans arrive 1995; current church consecrated Nov. 25, 1995 (1,100 seats)
- Family Life Center blessed early 1997
- Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena arrive 1999
- Parish Center completed 2015
- Original office building renovated 2016 for Catholic Campus Ministry
- Sanctuary renovation with Austrian baldachin completed mid-July 2018
The Sanctuary Baldachin & 2018 Renovation
The signature element of the parish church is a 30-foot, solid-oak baldachin hand-carved in the late 18th century in Austria and shipped to America between the World Wars. Originally from Holy Innocents Church in Sheradon, Pennsylvania, it was acquired by the parish in 2017 for $25,000 funded by five private donors. The accompanying renovation — new sanctuary flooring, removal of the stone wall behind the tabernacle, and a matching ambo and celebrant's chair — raised more than $102,000 from parishioners and was completed in mid-July 2018, with Knights of Columbus Council 10505 providing 12-hour demolition shifts during the week of May 14–18, 2018. The baldachin's symbolism includes the oak (eternity), triangles (Trinity), seven descending doves (gifts of the Holy Spirit), the Lamb of God, a pelican and a phoenix, with carvings of saints Peter, Agnes, Paul, Mark, Luke, Catherine of Alexandria, Jerome, Matthew, Gregory, Ambrose and Augustine.
- Acquired from Holy Innocents Church in Sheradon, Pa. — closed parish
- $25,000 funded by five private donors of $5,000 each
- Installed mid-July 2018 after sanctuary demolition by the Knights of Columbus
- Matching ambo and celebrant's chair came from Holy Innocents
- Bishop Peter Jugis formally blessed the baldachin, ambo and chair at Mass on June 30, 2019
Clergy, Staff & Parish Leadership
St. Thomas Aquinas is presently served by three priests and four permanent deacons, with a full parish staff. Father Matthew Paul Codd was installed as pastor by Bishop Peter Jugis on September 15, 2019, succeeding Father Patrick Winslow. Father Kolbe R. Murrey serves as Parochial Vicar and Father Joseph Gerard Yellico is in residence; Father Joseph Matlak is the Catholic Campus Ministry Chaplain for UNC Charlotte. Deacons include James Witulski, Joseph Diaz, Martin Ricart and Matthew Hanes, the latter also serving as Director of Religious Education & O.C.I.A. Lay staff include Tim Flynn (Director of Parish Operations), Mara DeLuca (Director of Sacred Music & Liturgical Events), Gina Schafer (Finance Administrator), Monica Bailey (Volunteer & Special Events), Valerie Gebhardt (Parish Secretary), Bianca Orbe (Administrative Assistant to the Priests/Sacristan) and Franco Colombani (Maintenance).
- Pastor: Rev. Matthew Paul Codd (installed Sept. 15, 2019)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Kolbe R. Murrey
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Joseph Gerard Yellico
- Campus Ministry Chaplain: Fr. Joseph Matlak
- Deacons: James Witulski, Joseph Diaz, Martin Ricart, Matthew Hanes
- Director of Sacred Music: Mara DeLuca
- Finance Administrator: Gina Schafer
Capuchin Franciscan Years (1995–2012)
From 1995 until approximately 2012, the parish was staffed by Capuchin Franciscan Friars. The friars' most senior years here included Father Remo DiSalvatore, OFM Cap., who served as pastor for six years and was honored with a farewell by the Filipino community of the parish, and Father Martin A. Schratz, OFM Cap., who served as pastor before being reassigned to Our Lady of Consolation, Charlotte and then to Immaculate Conception, Hendersonville. After approximately 2012 the Capuchins withdrew from the parish as part of a province-wide reorganization driven by declining vocations.
- Father Remo DiSalvatore, OFM Cap. — six-year pastor honored by the Filipino community
- Father Martin A. Schratz, OFM Cap. — pastor prior to his move to Our Lady of Consolation and Immaculate Conception, Hendersonville
- Order withdrew from the parish c. 2012 (province-wide reorganization)
Faith Formation, OCIA & Sacramental Preparation
The parish runs a comprehensive Catechesis & Formation of the Catholic Family program under Director of Religious Education & O.C.I.A. Dcn. Matthew Hanes, with separate tracks for First Holy Communion and Confirmation preparation (parents schedule a meeting), OCIA/OICA en español (Tuesday evenings 6:30–8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center, rooms A and B), ongoing adult education in Doctrine & Sacred Liturgy on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in Aquinas Hall, and ongoing formation and support for married couples. The OCIA process follows the ancient steps of Pre-Catechumenate, Rite of Initiation, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy.
- O.C.I.A. — for unbaptized, baptized Christians from another tradition, and baptized Catholics needing First Communion/Confirmation
- OICA en español — Tuesday evenings 6:30–8:30 p.m., Parish Center
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation via family catechesis
- Married-couple formation and counsel with Dcn. Matthew Hanes
- Tuesday-night adult education in Doctrine & Sacred Liturgy, Aquinas Hall, 6:30 p.m.
Youth, Young Adult & Family Ministries
St. Thomas Aquinas maintains a strong youth and family ministry program. High School Youth Ministry meets Sundays after the 11:30 a.m. Mass (about 1:30 p.m.) in Aquinas Hall, led by Giorgio Alexander; a separate Middle School Youth Ministry is offered. The Young Adult Ministry ("Aquinas' Finest") serves post-college and graduate adults. Family Ministry gathers 1st Mondays from September through May, 1–3 p.m. in Aquinas Hall, with parish families praying the Rosary together, making lunches for shelters, and enjoying service, fellowship and club/board-game nights.
- High School Youth Ministry — Sundays after 11:30 a.m. Mass, Aquinas Hall
- Middle School Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry / Aquinas' Finest
- Family Ministry — 1st Mondays, Sept.–May, 1–3 p.m., Aquinas Hall (lunches for shelters, Rosary, games)
UNC Charlotte Catholic Campus Ministry
Since 2016, the parish's original office building has housed Catholic Campus Ministry for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, with dedicated space, storage and a choir room. Fr. Joseph Matlak is the current Campus Ministry Chaplain. The office continues to hold weekly gatherings for UNC Charlotte students and is described by the parish as 'becoming more of a visible sight on our church campus.'
- Campus Ministry Chaplain: Fr. Joseph Matlak
- Dedicated campus-ministry space in converted 2016 office building
- Weekly gatherings for UNC Charlotte students
Parish Service & Outreach
Outreach is led by the parish's Knights of Columbus Council 10505 and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, with the parish also supporting the Respect Life Ministry (paired with a weekly Respect Life Rosary). The parish describes a robust network of Spiritual, Liturgical, Corporal and Parish Life ministries, all coordinated through the parish office and the parish's Safe Environment / Protecting God's Children program.
- Knights of Columbus Council 10505 (planning meeting 2nd Sunday, business meeting 3rd Monday 7:00 p.m.)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Respect Life Ministry (legislative advocacy, parish education)
- Troops of St. George (Catholic scouting/character formation)
Sacred Music & Liturgical Events
Mara DeLuca serves as the parish's Director of Sacred Music & Liturgical Events, coordinating the choirs (the parish's choir room is housed in the converted office building) and the rich Traditional Latin Mass schedule (Sunday 11:30 a.m., Thursday 7:00 p.m., First Saturday 10:00 a.m.).
- Director of Sacred Music & Liturgical Events: Mara DeLuca
- Parish choirs sing at English and Latin Masses
- Three Traditional Latin Masses each week
Campus & Facilities
The St. Thomas Aquinas campus includes the 1995 main church, the 1985 Aquinas Hall (with chapel, parish hall and youth-ministry meeting rooms), the 1997 Family Life Center (currently leased to United Community School, a charter school focused on the arts), the 2015 Parish Center (offices, conference rooms, classrooms), the converted original office building (now offices, choir room, and UNC Charlotte Campus Ministry space), the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, and a Grotto/Our Lady of Lourdes grotto being built from stone repurposed during the 2018 sanctuary renovation. The Eastern-rite St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Parish shares the campus.
- Main church (1995, ~1,100 seats)
- Aquinas Hall (1985) — daily-Mass chapel and parish hall
- Family Life Center (1997) — leased to United Community School
- Parish Center (2015) — offices and classrooms
- Converted office (2016) — choir room and Campus Ministry space
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel
- Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto (under construction using 2018 sanctuary-renovation stone)
- Eastern Catholic mission: St. Basil the Great
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joe Zuschmidt, OSFS1978–c. early 1980s
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales; began parish ministry in the Charlotte diocese in 1978 and helped found St. Thomas Aquinas; later served at Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point and other parishes.
- Capuchin Franciscan friars (staffing)1995–c. 2012
Capuchin Franciscan Friars accepted Bishop William G. Curlin's invitation in 1995 and staffed the parish for nearly two decades, including Father Remo DiSalvatore, OFM Cap., who served as pastor for six years (Filipino community farewell reported by Catholic News Herald), and Father Martin A. Schratz, OFM Cap., who served as pastor here prior to being named pastor of Our Lady of Consolation, Charlotte, and later Immaculate Conception, Hendersonville.
- Father Patrick J. Winslow2012–2019 (installed as Vicar General/Chancellor effective April 29, 2019)
Ordained 1999 (Diocese of Albany); incardinated into Charlotte in 2002. Previously served St. Vincent de Paul Charlotte, St. Francis of Assisi Jefferson, St. Frances of Rome Sparta, St. John the Baptist Tryon. Overhauled the St. Thomas Aquinas sanctuary in 2017–2018, installing the Austrian baldachin and matching ambo/chair. Left in 2019 to become the Diocese of Charlotte's fifth vicar general and chancellor; later named Monsignor.
- Rev. Matthew Paul CoddSept. 15, 2019 – present
Installed by Bishop Peter Jugis on Sept. 15, 2019, succeeding Father Winslow. Asheville native; ordained June 2, 2012; served as parochial vicar at St. Mark Huntersville, then St. Aloysius Hickory, then pastor of St. Elizabeth Boone before his appointment to St. Thomas Aquinas. Currently also serves as secretary of the Diocese of Charlotte's Presbyteral Council.
