About St. Thomas Aquinas · Derry, New Hampshire
St. Thomas Aquinas is a Roman Catholic parish in Derry, New Hampshire, in the Diocese of Manchester and run by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province. The parish's roots go back to 1868 and it was formally established on August 15, 1888 with Father William J. O'Connor as its first resident pastor. Today the community offers daily and Sunday Masses, perpetual-style Eucharistic Adoration, an active youth ministry, food pantry outreach, men's formation, the parish-based Alpha program, and a Knights of Columbus council. The parish serves Derry and surrounding southern New Hampshire towns from its church on Crystal Avenue.
- Established
- 1888
- Patron
- St. Thomas Aquinas
- Rector
- Fr. Joseph Powell, OFM
- Diocese
- Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire
Why belong here
St. Thomas Aquinas offers the full rhythm of Catholic parish life — Saturday Vigil, three Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Friday, the Liturgy of the Hours, and one of the more robust Eucharistic Adoration schedules in the area, including weekly Tuesday and Thursday adoration, monthly Nocturnal Adoration, and a First Friday vigil. The parish is grounded in Franciscan spirituality under the Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province and weaves together worship, faith formation, and hands-on outreach: a Wednesday food pantry, Alpha, COR men's formation, three youth groups, Knights of Columbus Council 3023, and a clothing donation shed that supports the parish and its outreach. Families in Derry and surrounding towns (Salem, Windham, Chester, Sandown, Epping) find a community committed to proclaiming the Good News 'to the new, the wandering, the poor and the unloved.'
Mass times at St. Thomas Aquinas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–4:00 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Nocturnal Adoration — Third Friday of the month, 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM
- First Friday Adoration 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Parish Identity & Franciscan Mission
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church is a Parish of the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire, run by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province. The parish community describes itself as 'the faith community of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Derry, NH, dedicated to continuing the mission of Jesus Christ in the Roman Catholic tradition' — proclaiming the Good News, using time, talent, and treasure 'to reach the new, the wandering, the poor and the unloved.' United in God, parishioners are committed to growth through worship, spirituality, outreach, education, and fellowship, and are 'empowered by the Holy Spirit and nourished by Word and Eucharist' to seek a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The parish's longtime pastorate has been entrusted to the Friars, with Fr. Joseph Powell, OFM, currently serving as Pastor and Guardian of St. Thomas Aquinas Friary, alongside Br. Damian Johnson, OFM, who serves as Vicar and Procurator of the Friary and as the parish's Pastoral Associate.
- Parish of the Diocese of Manchester, NH
- Run by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province
- Pastor: Fr. Joseph Powell, OFM (Guardian of the Friary)
- Pastoral Associate: Br. Damian Johnson, OFM (Vicar/Procurator of the Friary)
- Associate Pastor: a Franciscan Friar of the Immaculate Conception Province
- Parish Deacon: Deacon Joseph Dion
Parish History
The parish's story begins in 1868 with five or six Catholic families in Derry being served by visiting priests from Manchester. It moves through its 1885 designation as a mission of St. Anne, the 1888 appointment of Father William J. O'Connor as first resident pastor, the 1889 dedication of the first Crystal Avenue church, the devastating 1914 fire, and the 1917 dedication of the present gothic church under Father Daniel J. Dunn. A four-phase Capital Campaign was launched in preparation for the 100th anniversary of the second building in 2017.
- 1868: Mass first celebrated in Derry homes by Rev. John O'Brien
- 1885: Made a mission of St. Anne, Manchester (visited monthly)
- August 15, 1888: Parish formally established; Father William J. O'Connor named first resident pastor
- August 26, 1888: First Baptisms (Miriam Teresa Lynch, Miriam Idam Provencher)
- April 1889: Crystal Avenue property purchased from George S. Rollins for $3,000
- November 28, 1889: First church dedicated by Bishop Denis Mary Bradley (parish at 60 families)
- August 2, 1914: First church destroyed by fire
- November 11, 1917: Second (current) church dedicated by Bishop A. George Albert Guertin; gothic, ~860 seats, ~$100,000 to build
- 2017: 100th Anniversary of the second church; four-phase Capital Campaign launched
Humble Beginnings & Growth
In its first decades, the parish's reach was vast: when Father O'Connor arrived, the new parish included Derry proper, Epping, Goffs Falls, Salem, Windham, Chester, and Sandown. Masses were first held weekly in Smith's Hall and later at the Opera House. The community grew from 60 families at the 1889 dedication of the first church to the much larger congregation that filled the rebuilt gothic church for its 1917 dedication, when 120 children received Confirmation and more than 1,000 people were present.
- Parish originally included Derry, Epping, Goffs Falls, Salem, Windham, Chester, Sandown
- First Masses held in Smith's Hall and Bell's Opera House
- 60 families by November 28, 1889 dedication
- 1,000+ in attendance at the November 11, 1917 dedication
The 1914 Fire & Rebuilding
On Sunday afternoon, August 2, 1914, headlines in The Derry News read 'Catholic Church Burned' and 'Beautiful Building on Crystal Avenue Destroyed.' The horse-drawn fire department responded quickly with three hydrants, but low water pressure meant the fire spread rapidly through the high wooden structure. The origin of the fire was a mystery — assumed to have started near the altar and spread rapidly under the roof. No lives were lost and no other buildings were affected. Under Father Dunn, the parish rebuilt larger; the new building was of gothic architecture, 'the most modern design and arrangement throughout,' with electric lighting, a seating capacity of about 860 in the main church, and a roughly equal number of seats in the basement.
- Fire on Sunday, August 2, 1914, around 3:00 PM
- Origin believed to be near the altar; cause never determined
- Building and furnishings were 'well insured' according to Father Dunn
- Father Dunn hosted Sunday Mass at the Scenic Theater on Railroad Avenue during reconstruction
- New gothic church dedicated November 11, 1917
100th Anniversary Capital Campaign
In preparation for the 100th Anniversary of the second St. Thomas Aquinas church building in 2017, the parish launched a multi-phase Capital Campaign to repair and restore the historic structure.
- Phase 1: Electrical and Insulation Upgrade to Modern Standards
- Phase 2: Church Interior Restoration
- Phase 3: Church Exterior
- Phase 4: Parking Lot Improvement and Resurfacing
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is coordinated through the Parish Office, with Kristen Sweet serving as Office Manager and Faith Formation Coordinator (Faith Formation line: 603-260-6818). Alpha — a 10-week program exploring questions of life and faith in a non-judgmental, fellowship setting — is offered at the parish alongside dedicated formation for children and teens.
- Faith Formation Office line: 603-260-6818
- Coordinator: Kristen Sweet (Office Manager/Faith Formation Coordinator)
- Alpha: 10-week program exploring questions of life and faith
Youth Ministry
The parish runs three youth groups focused on faith-building and service, organized by grade level, each with its own calendar and downloadable registrations.
- Youth Group Junior — 4th & 5th grade
- Middle School Youth Group
- High School Youth Group
- Each group has a calendar available for download and a contact person listed on the parish website
Men's Formation — COR
COR Men's Faith Formation meets every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM in the School Building, giving men of the parish a regular time for formation and fraternity.
- COR Men's Formation: Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, School Building
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The parish supports both traditional and contemporary music at its liturgies through dedicated staff directors, and offers live streaming of Mass via its website so the faithful can participate remotely.
- Traditional Choir Director: Diane Harper
- Contemporary Music Minister: Frank Howard
- Live Streaming of Mass via the parish website
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is woven into parish life through a Wednesday Food Pantry, a parish-operated clothing donation shed whose proceeds return to the parish, Knights of Columbus Council 3023, and a Ministry to the Ill and Shut-Ins that brings Holy Communion to the hospitalized and homebound. The Friars visit the hospital as often as possible; parishioners are encouraged to identify themselves as Catholic members of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish upon admission.
- Food Pantry: open to all in need every Wednesday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (handicap accessible)
- Used Clothing Donation Shed (St. Pauly's Textiles): drop-off across the street from the church, at the rear of the parking lot near Sal's Pizza; St. Pauly's collects regularly and pays 4¢ per pound to the parish
- Knights of Columbus Council 3023 (Derry, NH)
- Ministry to the Ill and Shut-Ins: Franciscan Friars and parish Eucharastic Ministers bring Holy Communion
- Hospital outreach: identify yourself as Catholic and a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish upon admission
- Parish Wish List to support Parish and Faith Formation offices
Parish Staff & Office
The parish is served by Franciscan Friars together with a full-time and part-time lay staff who staff the parish office, coordinate faith formation, lead music, and oversee outreach and maintenance.
- Pastor: Fr. Joseph Powell, OFM
- Associate Pastor: [Franciscan Friar of the Immaculate Conception Province]
- Pastoral Associate: Br. Damian Johnson, OFM
- Parish Deacon: Deacon Joseph Dion
- Office Manager / Faith Formation Coordinator: Kristen Sweet
- Parish Secretary: Karen Kenney
- Parish Consultant: Sandy Sherman
- Outreach Director: Frank Howard
- Traditional Choir Director: Diane Harper
- Contemporary Music Minister: Richard Kallelis
- Maintenance: (parish staff)
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM); closed Fridays
- Main Office: 603-432-5000 | Faith Formation: 603-260-6818
Visiting & Directions
St. Thomas Aquinas is located on Crystal Avenue, just off Route 102 in Derry, New Hampshire. There is a large open parking lot and the church building — along with the Food Pantry — is handicap accessible. Mass is also live streamed via the parish website for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 26 Crystal Avenue, Derry, NH 03038
- Just off Route 102 on Crystal Avenue
- Large open parking lot
- Church and Food Pantry are handicap accessible
- Live streaming of Mass via stthomasderry.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William J. O'Connor1888–
First resident pastor, appointed by Bishop Denis M. Bradley on August 15, 1888; celebrated the first Baptisms on August 26, 1888 and built the first Crystal Avenue church dedicated November 28, 1889.
- Father Daniel J. Dunnc. 1914–1917+
Pastor at the time of the August 2, 1914 fire; led rebuilding of the parish and dedicated the present gothic church on November 11, 1917 in the presence of Bishop Guertin.