About St. Thomas the Apostle · Columbus, Ohio
St. Thomas the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish on the east side of Columbus, Ohio, founded in 1900 by Father Andrew J. Johnson and dedicated in 1902 on a lot donated by Thomas D. Cassady at the corner of East Fifth and Cassady Avenues. The parish grew with successive waves of immigrants—Polish, Slavic, Czech, and Hungarian in its first decades, and more recently a large Hispanic community—and today operates as a bilingual (English/Spanish) congregation in partnership with neighboring Christ the King Church under the Capuchin Franciscan friars of St. Augustine Province.
- Established
- 1900 (parish organized); cornerstone 1902; church dedicated August 10, 1902
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen Fernandes, OFM Cap. (Pastor of the linked parishes of Christ the King and St. Thomas the Apostle since July 11, 2023)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle offers the rarity of a small, neighborhood Catholic parish in central-east Columbus where English- and Spanish-speaking families worship side by side, with a bilingual Sunday schedule, a Capuchin Franciscan pastoral team with a strong devotion to the Eucharist, and decades-old traditions (Holy Name Society, May Crowning, Forty Hours) that have carried the parish through immigrant and demographic change since 1902. It is the kind of parish where a visitor can know the priest, join a weekly devotion, place a child in faith formation, or get involved in a bilingual ministry — all on one block.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Bilingual, at St. Thomas); last confession 10 minutes before Mass starts
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Bilingual Adoration, at St. Thomas)
Parish History
St. Thomas the Apostle was organized on May 26, 1900 by Father Andrew J. Johnson to serve the scattered Catholic families of Taylor's Station and the East Columbus farmlands near the new steel works at Rarigville. Thomas D. Cassady donated the corner lot at East 5th and Cassady Avenues; the brick Gothic church built on it was dedicated on August 10, 1902 by Bishop Henry Moeller. The parish absorbed successive waves of immigrants — Polish, Slavic, Czech, and Hungarian in its first generation, African American families from the mid-20th century, and most recently Spanish-speaking Catholics from across Latin America — each leaving its mark on the parish's liturgical and devotional life.
- 1900 — Parish organized by Father Andrew J. Johnson
- 1901 — Thomas D. Cassady donates the 200×300 ft. corner lot
- April 6, 1902 — Cornerstone laid
- August 10, 1902 — Church dedicated by Bishop Henry Moeller
- 1904 — Parish rectory completed
- 1916 — Death of Father Johnson; Father O'Neil succeeds
- 1923 — Father Schaefer begins pastorate; St. Thomas School founded
- 2003 — Father Denis Kigozi begins pastorate; bilingual Mass begun
- July 11, 2023 — Capuchin friars assume pastoral care; Fr. Stephen Fernandes, OFM Cap., named pastor
- 2022 — Parish celebrates its 120th anniversary
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
The parish publishes its schedule jointly with Christ the King at jmjcolumbus.org/mass-times. St. Thomas the Apostle celebrates Sunday Mass in English at 9:00 AM and in Spanish at 11:00 AM, a Monday English Mass at 8:30 AM, a Tuesday evening Mass in Spanish at 7:30 PM, and a First Friday evening Mass in Spanish. Confessions and Eucharistic Adoration are offered bilingually on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, immediately before the Spanish Mass.
- Sunday 9:00 AM — English Mass
- Sunday 11:00 AM — Spanish Mass
- Monday 8:30 AM — English Mass
- Tuesday 7:30 PM — Spanish Mass
- 1st Friday 7:00 PM — Spanish Mass
- Tuesday 6:30–7:30 PM — Bilingual Confession + Adoration
Bilingual & Hispanic Ministry
A defining feature of St. Thomas today is its bilingual character. Father Denis Kigozi inaugurated a regular bilingual Sunday Mass in his early pastorate, and the parish now offers a Spanish Sunday Mass, Spanish weekday and First Friday Masses, and bilingual confession/Adoration. Pastoral outreach to the Hispanic community includes ESL classes and Spanish-language Scripture study, and parishioners are encouraged to serve as lectors, EMHCs, and in other liturgical roles in both languages.
- Spanish Mass — Sunday 11:00 AM, Tuesday 7:30 PM, 1st Friday 7:00 PM
- ESL classes
- Scripture study in English and Spanish
- Hispanic liturgical ministers (lectors, EMHCs, cantors)
Liturgical Ministries
St. Thomas recruits and trains lay ministers from its adult, fully-initiated Catholic parishioners in cooperation with the linked Christ the King parish. Music ministry at St. Thomas is coordinated through the parish office (614-252-0976). Training/orientation for new liturgical ministers is offered annually and by appointment through the Liturgical Ministry Coordinator.
- Altar Servers
- Lectors (Readers)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Music Ministers / Cantors (contact: parish office)
- Ushers
- Greeters
- Ministers of Communion to the Homebound
Faith Formation & Youth
Faith formation at St. Thomas is delivered through the Diocese of Columbus Parish School of Religious Education (PSRE) for children, and adult formation through ongoing Scripture studies and sacramental preparation. Youth evangelization across the linked parishes is directed by Brother Michael Herlihey, OFM Cap., a Capuchin deacon preparing for ordination.
- PSRE (Parish School of Religious Education)
- Adult Scripture Study — English and Spanish
- Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage)
- Youth evangelization (Bro. Michael Herlihey, OFM Cap.)
Devotions & Parish Societies
Beyond the regular Mass schedule, the parish keeps up long-standing devotions first cultivated under Monsignor Estadt and the lay societies that have organized parish life across generations. The Holy Name Society — founded under Estadt — remains active in the parish today, and the women of the parish sustain the Altar and Rosary Society. May Crowning and Forty Hours continue as annual parish devotions.
- Holy Name Society (established under Msgr. Estadt)
- Altar and Rosary Society
- May Crowning (annual)
- Forty Hours (annual)
- First Friday Spanish Mass (devotional observance)
Outreach & Service
Outreach flows both ways at St. Thomas: ministers bring Holy Communion to homebound parishioners who can no longer attend Mass in person, and the parish has historically organized its social life around parish-wide bazaars and 'socials' in which every society ran a booth. The parish is also a chaplaincy site for Bishop Hartley High School (Capuchin chaplain: Fr. Anthony Essien, OFM Cap.). In 2022 parishioners publicly articulated a vision for a neighborhood revitalization project at the historic Cassady–5th Avenue corner.
- Homebound Communion visits
- Parish bazaars and socials
- Chaplaincy — Bishop Hartley High School
- Cassady–5th Avenue neighborhood revitalization initiative (2022)
Pastoral Team & Clergy
Since July 11, 2023, the parish has been entrusted to the Franciscan Capuchin Friars of St. Augustine Province (Pittsburgh). The team is led by Father Stephen Fernandes, OFM Cap., as pastor of the linked parishes of Christ the King and St. Thomas the Apostle. Father Rafael Anguiano, OFM Cap., serves as Parochial Vicar; Fathers Anthony Essien and Reynaldo Frias-Santana, OFM Cap., are in residence, with Father Essien assigned as chaplain of Bishop Hartley High School. Brother Michael Herlihey, OFM Cap., is the parish youth evangelization director.
- Rev. Stephen Fernandes, OFM Cap. — Pastor
- Rev. Rafael Anguiano, OFM Cap. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Anthony Essien, OFM Cap. — In residence; chaplain, Bishop Hartley HS
- Rev. Reynaldo Frias-Santana, OFM Cap. — In residence
- Bro. Michael Herlihey, OFM Cap. — Youth evangelization director
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
The church sits at the historic corner of East 5th Avenue and Cassady Avenue, zip 43219, on Columbus' northeast side. Parishioners and visitors can reach the office at (614) 252-0976, with the shared Christ the King office reachable at (614) 237-0401. The parish publishes a regular bulletin and posts Mass times, ministry contacts, and staff email addresses at jmjcolumbus.org.
- Address: 2692 E. 5th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219
- Parish phone: (614) 252-0976
- Shared office: (614) 237-0401
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://jmjcolumbus.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Andrew J. Johnson1900–1916
Founding pastor. Organized the parish May 26, 1900; built the brick Gothic church (cornerstone April 6, 1902; dedicated August 10, 1902 by Bishop Henry Moeller). Died December 15, 1916 at Mount Carmel Hospital.
- Rev. John H. O'Neil1916–1923
Appointed June 23, 1916 immediately after Father Johnson's death; remembered as a warm, gifted preacher who welcomed immigrants. Transferred to Holy Name Parish in 1923.
- Rev. William A. Schaefer1923–c.1933
Third pastor; founded St. Thomas School, taught the children himself, and oversaw a flourishing round of parish socials and bazaars. Served about ten years until his death.
- Rev. (Monsignor) Estadtc.1933–c.1960s
Established the Holy Name Society; kept the Altar and Rosary Society active; preserved the devotions of May Crowning and Forty Hours. During his tenure the parish demographics shifted as suburbs drew families away and African American parishioners entered fully into parish life.
- Rev. Denis Sebuggwawo Kigozi2003–
Became pastor in 2003 (his first pastorate). Established a bilingual Mass every other Sunday for new Hispanic immigrants, encouraged their participation as liturgical ministers, and started ESL classes and Scripture study in English and Spanish.
- Rev. David A. Schalkpre-2023 – July 11, 2023
Pastor of the linked parishes of Christ the King and St. Thomas the Apostle. Reassigned effective July 11, 2023 to St. Joan of Arc, Powell and St. Peter, Columbus.
- Rev. Stephen Fernandes, OFM Cap.July 11, 2023 – present
Appointed by the Provincial of the Franciscan Capuchin Fathers of St. Augustine Province as first Capuchin pastor of the linked parishes. Heads the team of Capuchin friars now serving both Christ the King and St. Thomas the Apostle.