St. Thomas More

About St. Thomas More Parish

St. Thomas More Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Richmond serving the Timberlake area of Lynchburg, Virginia. It was founded in 1978 by Bishop Walter Sullivan and today is home to more than 920 families and roughly 2,434 members. The parish celebrates the Eucharist every day except Monday and Tuesday, offers Adoration on Thursdays, and is known for vibrant liturgy, multigenerational faith formation, and active service to the wider community.

Parish History

The first Masses of St. Thomas More were celebrated in a house on Deerwood Drive. With a land donation and parish fundraising, a church and rectory were built at 3015 Roundelay Road and dedicated in May 1981. Under founding pastors and their successors the campus grew to include an education and office wing, the Nott Homes for those with special needs, a larger nave and chapel, stained glass, a bell tower, and the More Aid outreach building.

• July 1978 – Bishop Walter Sullivan founds the parish at Timberlake.
• September 1978 – Fr. John Leonard appointed as the parish's first priest.
• May 1981 – New church at 3015 Roundelay Road dedicated.
• September 1991 – Education & office wing built along with the Nott Homes.
• September 2004 – New nave and chapel dedicated; old nave becomes parish hall.
• July 2008 – Completion of stained glass in the nave.
• January 2018 – Regional Mass with Bishop Barry Knestout.
• September 2018 – Dedication of More Aid building, kitchen renovation, bell tower above nave.
• March 2022 – Completion of additional stained glass in the nave.
• July 2024 – Fr. John Christian appointed pastor.

Clergy & Parish Staff

Fr. John Christian has served as pastor since July 2024 and is assisted by Deacon Eddie Craig. A team of lay staff and ministry coordinators keeps the parish running day to day, from faith formation and communications to More Aid and maintenance.

• Fr. John Christian – Pastor ([email protected])
• Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig – Deacon
• Trish Pabis – Director of Religious Formation
• Edward Dorman – Business Manager
• Jo-Ann LaClair – Bookkeeper & Volunteer Coordinator
• Craig Braun – Communications & Media Coordinator
• Maria Miraglia – Parish Secretary
• Rita Reilly – Hospitality & Events
• Carol Ainsworth – Hospitality & Fellowship
• Anne Scarletto – Hospital/Shut-In Ministry
• Linda Radgowski – More Aid Coordinator & Social Ministry Coordinator
• Mark Wilson – staff
• Tanis Smith – Maintenance & Repair
• Andy & Jo-Ann LaClair – OCIA

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The parish's Office of Religious Formation, led by Director Trish Pabis, provides formation for children, youth, and adults. Children in grades K-5 attend Religious Formation classes; middle schoolers (grades 6-8) and high schoolers (grades 9-12) meet weekly for youth ministry with age-appropriate catechesis, fellowship, and service. Sacramental preparation tracks run alongside Religious Formation for Reconciliation and First Eucharist, while Confirmation preparation is offered to youth who are 15 or in 10th grade.

• Religious Formation K-5
• Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6-8) – Sundays 9:45–10:45 AM in the Bonaventure Room
• High School Youth Ministry (grades 9-12) – Sundays after 11:00 AM Mass until ~2 PM in Frassati Hall
• Confirmation Preparation (10th grade / age 15+)
• Vacation Bible School (VBS)
• Adult Bible Study and Youth Bible Study
• Faith Matters adult education
• Book Club (Zoom)

OCIA – Becoming Catholic

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) is the parish's pathway for adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church or complete their initiation. Coordinated by Andy and Jo-Ann LaClair, the program walks inquirers through the rites, catechumenate, and sacraments of initiation, with a separate sponsor formation track for parishioners who accompany candidates.

• OCIA for inquirers and candidates
• OCIA Sponsors formation

More Aid Outreach

More Aid is St. Thomas More's signature social ministry, providing emergency financial assistance, a food pantry, and diaper assistance to families in need in the Lynchburg area. The office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM to 12 PM, no appointment necessary. Applicants are asked to bring a photo ID, a bill for which they need help, and a referral from an area agency (or past assistance history).

• Emergency financial assistance: 434-237-8851
• Food pantry and diaper assistance
• Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9 AM – 12 PM
• Coordinator: Linda Radgowski
• Follows Lynchburg City Schools weather-closing schedule
• Volunteers and donors welcomed

Parish Twinning & Global Mission

St. Thomas More is twinned with Our Lady of the Nativity Parish in Savanette, Haiti, and supports mission projects there alongside local outreach such as Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity. The More Aid building, dedicated in September 2018, houses much of this charitable work.

• Our Lady of the Nativity Parish – Savanette, Haiti (twinning partner)
• Meals on Wheels
• Habitat for Humanity
• More Aid Outreach building (dedicated September 2018)

Liturgical & Volunteer Ministries

Parishioners serve the liturgy through a wide range of ministries — from altar care and altar servers to arts and environment — and support parish life through hospitality, fellowship, and the Virtus safe-environment program. The Cenacle Rosary group and Life in the Spirit community offer regular devotional gatherings.

• Altar Servers
• Altar Care
• Arts & Environment
• Cenacle Rosary
• Life in the Spirit
• Hospitality & Events
• Hospitality & Fellowship
• Virtus (Safe Environment)
• Liberty Student Bus
• Parish Library

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all seven sacraments with preparation programs for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage, and ongoing pastoral care for the sick and homebound through the Hospital/Shut-In Ministry. Adults preparing for initiation are welcomed through OCIA.

• Baptism Sacramental Preparation
• Reconciliation Sacramental Preparation (First Confession)
• First Holy Communion
• Confirmation (10th grade / age 15+)
• Marriage – contact the parish office
• Anointing of the Sick / Hospital & Shut-In visits (Anne Scarletto)
• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)

Cemetery / Columbarium

The St. Thomas More Columbarium is located on the parish grounds at 3015 Roundelay Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502. Inquiries about the columbarium can be directed to the parish office at (434) 237-5911.

• St. Thomas More Columbarium
• On-site at 3015 Roundelay Road
• Contact: 434-237-5911

Contact & Visit

Parish Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and the parish website includes a live-stream of Masses. The parish has issued a public alert about scam emails that impersonate the pastor or staff — these will never request money, gift cards, or personal information by email or text.

• Address: 3015 Roundelay Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502
• Parish Phone: (434) 237-5911
• More Aid Phone: (434) 237-8851
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.stmva.org
• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Live-stream Mass available via the website