About St. Thomas the Apostle · Bedford, Pennsylvania
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Bedford, Pennsylvania, belonging to the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Founded in 1816 by the missionary priest Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin, it is the first Roman Catholic church in Bedford County and worships today in a beautiful 1868 church renowned for its imported European carved wooden altars and stained glass. The parish is led by Father Richard B. Tomkosky ('Fr. Rich'), who also serves the mission parish of Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin in Beans Cove, PA. It maintains an active faith life through CCD religious education, choirs, the Ladies Guild, the Knights of Columbus, RCIA, First Saturday devotions, and Eucharistic Adoration.
- Established
- 1816
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Richard B. Tomkosky
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle offers a deeply rooted Catholic community grounded in nearly 210 years of faith in Bedford County. Worship takes place in an 1868 church praised as an 'artistic jewel' for its European-carved altars and stained glass, alongside the restored 1817 'little church' shrine. Active ministries — CCD religious education, Adult and Youth Choirs, Knights of Columbus Council #1439, Fr. Heyden Assembly 2529, Ladies Guild, RCIA, Eucharistic Adoration, First Saturday Fatima devotions, and Stations of the Cross in Lent — give every age and stage a way to belong, serve, and grow in faith.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM in the church
- First Saturday: after the 8:00 AM Mass
- Friday: after the 3:00 PM Holy Hour
- Anytime upon request
Adoration times
- Every First Friday: after the 8:00 AM Mass until 9:30 AM
- Every Monday morning: after the 8:00 AM Mass until 9:00 AM
About St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is the first Roman Catholic parish in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, founded in 1816 and now in its third century of continuous ministry. A parish of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in the Roman Rite, it is served by Father Richard B. Tomkosky and worships in an 1868 historic church widely admired for its European-carved altars and stained glass, with the restored 1817 'little church' shrine still standing nearby.
Parish History
The parish was born from a public meeting on February 2, 1816, when the Catholic families of Bedford County pledged money and materials for a church — donations ranging from fifty cents to one hundred dollars. The visionary missionary Father Demetrius Gallitzin had been saying Mass in local homes (including the Heyden home) since 1795, and with his encouragement Thomas Heyden became the parish's first pastor. The 1817 'little church' was replaced by a larger one in 1833 and again by today's church in 1868.
- Founded February 2, 1816 — first Catholic church in Bedford County.
- Built under the influence of Father Demetrius Gallitzin, 'Prince Priest of the Alleghenies'.
- First pastor: Very Rev. Thomas E. Heyden, ordained 1821, served ~50 years until 1870.
- Original 1817 church restored and declared a Community Shrine in October 1958.
- Present church built in 1868; inscription reads 'Built A.D. 1868 By Very Rev. Thos. Heyden, D.D.'
- Father Heyden's remains are in the 'old cemetery' by the Little Church.
- 200th anniversary celebrated May 22, 2016 with Bishop Mark Bartchak.
Devotions & Holy Hours
St. Thomas parishioners are devoted to Marian and Eucharistic prayer. The Rosary is recited a half hour before every Mass followed by the Divine Mercy Devotion, two weekly Holy Hours anchor Wednesday and Friday afternoons, Stations of the Cross are prayed each Friday in Lent, and the parish keeps the Five First Saturdays Fatima devotion each month.
- Rosary + Divine Mercy Chaplet: 30 minutes before each Mass
- Wednesday 3:00 PM — Our Lady Guardian of the Faith Holy Hour
- Friday 3:00 PM — Divine Mercy Holy Hour
- Friday in Lent 6:30 PM — Stations of the Cross (except Good Friday)
- First Saturday 8:00 AM — Fatima Five First Saturdays Mass (Mass, Rosary, meditation, Confession)
Church Building & Architecture
The present St. Thomas Church sits at the intersection of East Penn and South Richard Streets and bears the inscription of its founder, Father Thomas Heyden. Its carved wooden altars and figures were imported from Europe, and combined with its stained glass windows, the church has been described as an 'artistic jewel.'
- Present church built 1868
- European-imported carved wooden altars and figures
- Stained glass windows of note
- Original 1817 'little church' standing on East Street — Community Shrine since October 1958
- 'Old cemetery' adjacent to the Little Church contains Father Heyden's remains
Parish Staff & Councils
Daily parish operations are carried out by a small team led by Father Richard B. Tomkosky, supported by a secretary, the Parish Finance Council, and an elected Parish Council. Music ministry is led by Nancy Mickey (Adult Choir) and Missy Territo (Youth Choir).
- Pastor: Rev. Richard B. Tomkosky
- Secretary: Marcia Wakeman
- Parish Finance Council: Fr. Rich, Patricia Hensel (Chair), Bill Wise, Diana Evans, Peggy Wirfel
- Parish Council: Fr. Richard Tomkosky (Presiding), Lloyd Bankson Roach (President), Barbara Carrodus, Richard Dovala, Herbert Mitchell, Kathy Wright; Terry Runion (Recording Secretary)
- Adult Choir Director: Nancy Mickey
- Youth Choir Director: Missy Territo
- Organists: Nancy Mickey, Greg Cotchen
Liturgical Ministries
St. Thomas welcomes parishioners of all ages into its liturgical ministries. Servers may begin in grade three; Eucharistic Ministers also bring Communion to the sick on First Fridays and to nursing homes on Sundays; Lectors proclaim the Word at Mass; and instrumentalists and choir members enrich every liturgy. Training is provided.
- Altar Servers (grades 3–12, plus adults; training provided)
- Eucharistic Ministers (Communion to sick/nursing homes)
- Lectors (public-proclamation ministry)
- Instrumentalists / Organists
- Adult Choir (age 15+, no audition)
- Youth Choir (K–12, no audition)
Faith Formation (CCD) & Youth
The parish offers Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes every Sunday morning from 8:10 to 9:10 AM between Labor Day and Memorial Day, taught by a dedicated roster of volunteer catechists from Grade 1 through Grade 12. A growing Youth Ministry program invites adult volunteers to help with activities, transportation, and chaperoning.
- CCD classes: Sundays 8:10–9:10 AM (after Labor Day through Memorial Day)
- Grade 1: Norma McGee / Diana Feather
- Grade 2: Chris Kline
- Grade 3: Damon Weyant
- Grades 4 & 5: Barb Mitchell
- Grade 6: Linda Steele
- Grades 7 & 8: Tom Beemiller
- Grade 9: Jeff Wertz
- Grade 10: Jeffrey and Julie Wright
- Grade 11: Dr. George Zubak
- Youth Choir practice: Wednesdays 5:15–6:00 PM in the Choir Loft
- Youth Group / Youth Ministry events and service opportunities
- Volunteer Driver and Student Information Forms required for trips
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
St. Thomas welcomes anyone curious about the Catholic faith to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), held in Heyden Hall. Sessions also offer returning Catholics a chance to renew and deepen their faith.
- RCIA sessions meet in Heyden Hall
- Open to inquirers, catechumens, candidates, and returning Catholics
- Contact the rectory at 814-623-5526 to begin
Parish Organizations
Beyond liturgy, the parish's social and service life is carried by the Ladies Guild and two affiliated Knights of Columbus units — Council #1439 and the Father Heyden Assembly 2529. Each welcomes new members and supports the parish through fellowship, fundraising, and faith-in-action projects.
- Ladies Guild — President Barb Lendacki; Vice-President Barb Mitchell; Secretary Becky Gallagher; Financial Secretary Tessie de las Alas; Treasurer Debbie Fetters
- Knights of Columbus Council #1439 — Grand Knight Tim Clingerman; Financial Secretary Gregory M. Cotchen
- Knights of Columbus Fr. Heyden Assembly 2529 — Faithful Navigator Craig Bowman; Faithful Comptroller Herb Mitchell
- Web Ministers: Lynne Crone (Ladies Guild), Greg Cotchen (Knights of Columbus), Jan Creighton & Jacquie Roach
Sacraments
Parishioners are encouraged to contact the rectory to arrange the sacraments. Baptized Catholics who have not been practicing are warmly invited to return, and young adults turning 22 are reminded to register as adult parishioners in their own right. CCD preparation is required for First Communion; older children preparing for Confirmation follow the diocesan preparation program.
- Baptism — call the rectory to schedule
- First Communion — via CCD religious education
- Confirmation — diocesan preparation
- Marriage — call the rectory to schedule
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion to the sick (First Fridays)
- Confession — Sat 3:45–4:45 PM, First Sat after 8 AM Mass, after Friday Holy Hour, or by request
- RCIA — for adults seeking full initiation
Parish Office, Address & Contact
The rectory is open Monday 8:00 AM to noon and Thursday 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM for ordinary parish business; personal appointments with Fr. Rich are arranged by calling 814-623-5526 ext. 3.
- Address: 215 East Penn Street, Bedford, PA 15522
- Phone: (814) 623-5526
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.webparish.com/aj/thomas
- Office hours: Monday 8 AM–Noon; Thursday 8 AM–11:30 AM
- Fr. Rich's extension: ext. 3
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown TV Ministry
St. Thomas highlights the diocesan Proclaim! television ministry, which broadcasts Catholic Mass and programming throughout the region — a useful resource for parishioners who cannot attend in person.
- Proclaim! Early Edition: 5:30 AM on WWCP Fox 8
- Proclaim!: 10:30 AM on WWCP Fox 8
- Live Mass from St. John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown: 11:00 AM on WWCP Fox 8
- Rebroadcast on Atlantic Broadband Public Access Channel 9 (Altoona/Johnstown) at 9:00 PM
- Comments: Proclaim!, PO Box 807, Johnstown, PA 15907
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Thomas E. Heyden1821–1870
First pastor; ordained 1821; served nearly 50 years; built the 1868 church; buried in the old cemetery.
- Rev. Andrew J.M. Brown1870–1881
- Rev. Daniel O'Connell1881–1890
- Rev. John Foley1891–1894
- Rev. Dennis Cashman1894–1908
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. William E. Downes1908–1917
- Rev. C.L. McKinney1917–1931
- Very Rev. Francis A. Magee1932–1953
- Rev. Edward J. Davis1953–1956
Administrator
- Rev. Edward F. McConnell1956–1972
- Rev. Raymond G. Crosser1972–1989
Returned for the 200th anniversary Mass in 2016.
- Rev. John C. Vago1989–2003
- Rev. Donald W. Dusza2003–2016
- Rev. Richard B. Tomkosky2016–present
Current pastor; also serves mission parish Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin in Beans Cove, PA.