About St. Thomas More Catholic Church · Troy, Michigan
St. Thomas More Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Troy, Michigan, located on Adams Road just north of Wattles. Founded on June 19, 1963 by John Cardinal Dearden, Archbishop of Detroit, it was the first Catholic church built in the city of Troy. The parish is named for the lay-saint St. Thomas More, lawyer, husband and father, and is today part of the Archdiocese of Detroit's South Oakland Vicariate Family 3. With roughly 1,300 registered families, the parish celebrates weekend Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, daily Mass mid-week, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust Faith Formation program for children, youth and adults.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- St. Thomas More
- Rector
- Msgr. Thomas Rice
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Thomas More is a faithful Roman Catholic community in the heart of Troy whose simple purpose is to 'Know, Love and Serve Jesus, and Help Others Do the Same.' Newcomers are welcomed with open arms — donuts after Sunday Mass, a vibrant worship life centered on the Eucharist, and a parish family of about 1,300 households. There is a place for everyone: weekday and weekend Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, OCIA for those exploring Catholicism, Faith Formation for children and youth, Bible studies, men's and women's groups, a Sacred Music Team and Choir, hospitality and greeter ministry, and outreach through the parish's Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference. The parish is currently part of the Archdiocese of Detroit's South Oakland Vicariate Family 3, sharing pastoral resources with three neighboring parishes in a new model of missionary cooperation.
Mass times at St. Thomas More Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM
Adoration times
- Every Wednesday following the 9:00 AM Mass until 10:00 AM
- Benediction at 10:00 AM on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month
Parish History
Founded on June 19, 1963 by John Cardinal Dearden, Archbishop of Detroit, with about 350 families from Holy Name (Birmingham) and St. Hugo of the Hills (Bloomfield Hills), St. Thomas More was the first Catholic church built in the City of Troy. The founders and their first pastor, Rev. William L. Anderson, deliberately chose a lay saint — not a priest or religious — as the parish's patron, fitting the example of Thomas More as devoted husband, father and lawyer. The parish was built on a former orchard property on Adams Road; the original farmhouse foundation and a few orchard trees still remain on the grounds.
- Founded June 19, 1963 by Cardinal John Dearden, Archbishop of Detroit
- Founding pastor: Rev. William L. Anderson
- First Masses held at Eastover School in Bloomfield Township
- Groundbreaking for the new church: June 30, 1963
- First Catholic church built in the City of Troy
- Fr. Anderson served 21 years until his death in an auto accident on August 28, 1984
- 50th Anniversary celebrated in 2013
A Period of Renewal and a New Pentecost
After the difficult 2013 scandal, Msgr. John Zenz (Episcopal Vicar) was appointed Administrator in January 2013, reorganized the parish staff, and added a Stewardship Commission. Over 100 parishioners gathered during Lent for lay-led sessions re-discovering the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith. The arrival of Msgr. Thomas Rice in November 2014 marked the parish's next chapter. Under his leadership, the staff participated in Amazing Parishes conferences in 2016 and the parish embraced Archbishop Vigneron's 2017 Pastoral Letter Unleash the Gospel — a movement of Encounter, Grow, Witness, and Sent on Mission. The prayer and devotional life of the parish has deepened, with a parish intercessory prayer team, regular Rosary groups, and a renewed focus on the celebration of the Mass and reverent worship.
- Msgr. John Zenz appointed Administrator, January 2013
- Stewardship Commission created and Staff reorganized
- Lenten lay-led reflection sessions attended by 100+ parishioners, 2013
- Msgr. Thomas Rice assigned November 2014; installed by Archbishop Vigneron, February 2015
- Amazing Parishes conferences attended in 2016
- Parish embraces Unleash the Gospel (Archbishop Vigneron, Pentecost 2017)
Families of Parishes — South Oakland Vicariate Family 3
In July 2021, Msgr. Thomas Rice was named Family-Pastor of the newly formed South Oakland Vicariate Family 3, an In Solidum team of priests who, with their brother priests, serve Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn Hills, St. Damien of Molokai Parish in Pontiac, St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills, and St. Thomas More Parish in Troy. This collaborative model — part of the Archdiocese's missionary strategic planning — is how St. Thomas More and its sister parishes are now 'unleashing the Gospel' together in southeast Michigan.
- Family of Parishes: South Oakland Vicariate Family 3 (effective July 1, 2021)
- Partner parishes: Sacred Heart (Auburn Hills), St. Damien of Molokai (Pontiac), St. Hugo of the Hills (Bloomfield Hills)
- Model: In Solidum team of priests
- Family-Pastor: Msgr. Thomas Rice
Faith Formation and Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The whole purpose of a parish is to form its members in their faith journey. St. Thomas More offers religious education and sacramental preparation for children, a High School Youth Group, Vacation Bible School, and Bible studies for all ages. Adults seeking the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation or Eucharist for the first time, or simply curious about the Catholic faith, are invited into the OCIA process — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA). OCIA is not a class but a process of inquiry, discernment and conversion, typically running about nine months, with initiation celebrated at the Great Easter Vigil.
- Religious Education Catechist — helps young people experience Christ
- Sacramental Preparation Catechist — First Communion and Confirmation
- OCIA Sponsors — walk with adults seeking full communion
- Religious Education Aide — assists catechists
- Youth Group Team Leaders — for high school parishioners
- Women's and Men's Ministry Leaders
- Small Group Leaders — monthly faith-building gatherings
- OCIA for 2025–26 run jointly with Sacred Heart parish
- Contact: John Hannigan at STM (248-647-2222; [email protected]) or Deacon Michael at Sacred Heart (248-852-4170)
Ministries and Christian Service
The parish lives its mission 'To Know, Love and Serve Jesus, and Help Others Do the Same' through a wide range of ministries. Volunteers serve as Worship Team members at Mass, members of the Sacred Music Team and Choir, Hospitality Team greeters, Faith Formation catechists and small group leaders, and on the Christian Service Team. The parish is also home to its own Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference, which is supported through the Kroger Community Rewards program (code RR084 for SVdP or WG579 for STM). All volunteers must complete Protecting God's Children and a background check per Archdiocese of Detroit policy.
- Worship Team
- Sacred Music Team & Choir
- Hospitality Team (Greeters)
- Faith Formation Team
- Christian Service Team
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — St. Thomas More Conference
- Men's and Women's Ministries
- Small Groups
- Intercessory Prayer Team
- Rosary Groups
The Sacraments
Information about each of the seven sacraments is available on the parish's Sacraments page. For adults seeking the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation or Eucharist for the first time, the parish directs inquirers to the OCIA / Becoming Catholic process. An emergency line (option 5 at 248-647-2222) is available for those in urgent need of the Sacrament of Reconciliation or the Anointing of the Sick.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist / First Communion
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage (Matrimony)
- Holy Orders
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Msgr. Thomas Rice as Pastor (also Family-Pastor of South Oakland Vicariate Family 3) and is served by an In Solidum team of priests, weekend-support priests, and several deacons. Day-to-day parish operations are supported by a Pastoral Associate, Parish Catechetical Leader, Secretary, and Business Manager.
- Msgr. Thomas Rice — Pastor
- Jordan Mitchell — Pastoral Associate
- Curtis Schuelke — Parish Catechetical Leader
- Kathy Strong — Secretary ([email protected])
- Rob Leonardi — Business Manager ([email protected])
- In Solidum priests: Rev. Mark Brauer, Rev. James Mayworm, Rev. Nicholas Brown, Rev. Richard Dorsch, Rev. Jacob VanAssche
- Weekend Priest Support: Rev. Clint McDonell, Very Rev. Robert Spezia
- Deacons: Deacon Donald Baross, Deacon Michael Merlo, Deacon Thomas Mohan
Visit, Contact and Get Involved
Newcomers and returning Catholics are warmly welcomed at St. Thomas More. Visitors are invited to join the parish at 4:30 PM Saturday Vigil Mass or 8:30 or 11:30 AM Sunday Mass — donuts are served after Sunday morning Masses, a parish tradition for greeting newcomers. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached at (248) 647-2222. Anyone interested in becoming Catholic, in the sacraments, or in volunteering is encouraged to contact the parish office or visit the Ministries page to sign up; a 'Test Drive' option lets prospective volunteers try a ministry before committing.
- Parish Office: (248) 647-2222
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Address: 4580 N. Adams Rd., Troy, MI 48098
- Donuts after Sunday morning Masses
- Test Drive option to explore a ministry before committing
- All volunteers must complete Protecting God's Children and a background check
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William L. Anderson1963–1984
Founding pastor assigned by Cardinal Dearden. Grew the parish from 350 to ~675 families. Championed ongoing faith formation for adults and children. Killed in an automobile accident on August 28, 1984.
- Rev. Edward (Ed) Belczakthrough January 2013
Removed from active ministry by Archbishop Vigneron in January 2013 after questionable financial and liturgical practices were discovered. Later indicted and pled guilty to misusing parish funds; served 17 months in federal prison and paid restitution.
- Msgr. John Zenz (Administrator)January 2013 – 2014
Episcopal Vicar appointed as parish Administrator during the renewal period following the scandal. Reorganized parish staff, added a Stewardship Commission, and led lenten lay-led sessions re-discovering the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith.
- Msgr. Thomas RiceNovember 2014 – present
Third pastor, formally installed February 2015. Previously pastor of St. Louise de Marillac in Warren for 25 years and long-time Editor-in-Chief of The Michigan Catholic. In July 2021 named Family-Pastor of the South Oakland Vicariate Family 3 (In Solidum) with Sacred Heart, St. Damien of Molokai, and St. Hugo of the Hills.