About St. Thomas the Apostle · Phoenix, Arizona
St. Thomas the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Phoenix located at 24th Street and Campbell Avenue in central Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 1950, the parish grew from 250 families to over 1,200 families and supports a parish school (preschool through 8th grade), a K-8 faith community served in part by Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, and the Institute of Catholic Theology (ICT), a lay theological formation program founded in 2009. The parish is known for its Spanish colonial-style bell tower, Ad Orientem Mass, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and a strong tradition of family catechesis through the Apostles for Life program.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Steven A. Kunkel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle is a thriving, family-oriented parish with deep roots in central Phoenix and a full Catholic life under one roof: daily and Sunday Mass (including a beloved 11am Ad Orientem Mass), Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in a dedicated chapel, and Saturday and Sunday confessions. Parishioners benefit from the parish school (preschool-8th grade) staffed in part by Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist; a robust K-12 faith formation and youth ministry program called Apostles for Life; and the Institute of Catholic Theology, which offers college-level courses for adult enrichment. Active groups include the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, the Mom's Group, Apostles for Life, men's and women's Bible studies, and 'Holy Grounds with Fr. Steve' for young adults—making it easy to plug in regardless of age or stage of life.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00-4:30 PM (a priest is on hand; no confessions on Easter Vigil Saturday or when Christmas Eve/Day or New Year's Eve/Day falls on a Saturday)
- Sunday 8:30 AM-12:00 PM (a priest is on hand; if no one is in line the priest may step away briefly but will return)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel: Monday-Saturday 6:00 AM-6:00 PM open to all
- 6:00 PM-6:00 AM the chapel is secured and available only to scheduled adorers with fob access
Parish History
St. Thomas the Apostle was founded November 6, 1950, the 12th parish in the Phoenix area and originally part of the Diocese of Tucson. The 250 founding families were carved from St. Agnes and St. Francis Xavier parishes and first worshipped at Madison School on 16th Street and Missouri. Ground was broken January 14, 1951 for what is now the Parish Hall, completed ten months later. The parish school opened September 8, 1953, and the present cruciform church with its 105-foot Spanish colonial tower was completed in 1960. The parish celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2020 under Fr. Steven Kunkel, having grown from 250 to over 1,200 families.
- Founded November 6, 1950
- First Masses at Madison School auditorium
- Parish Hall completed November 1951
- School opened September 8, 1953
- First school class graduated 1956
- Current church constructed 1959-1960
- 70th anniversary celebrated in 2020
Architecture & Campus
The current church, completed in 1960, was designed in a traditional cruciform (cross-shaped) plan to bring worshippers closer to the sanctuary. Its Spanish colonial-style bell tower rises 105 feet to the top of its cross and is a recognizable central-Phoenix landmark. The original 1951 church building is still in use as the Parish Hall. The 10-acre campus also includes the parish school, rectory, convent, adoration chapel, gift shop, and the Institute of Catholic Theology classroom.
- Spanish colonial-style bell tower (105 feet)
- Cruciform floor plan
- Original 1951 building serves as Parish Hall
- ~10-acre campus at 24th Street & Campbell
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Steven A. Kunkel and served by Parochial Vicars Fr. Musie Tesfayohannes, O.Cist and Fr. Marino, with Fr. Robert Bolding and Fr. Awte Weldu, O.Cist in residence. Three permanent deacons — Dcn. William Chavira, Dcn. Matt Murphy, and James Peck — assist with liturgical and pastoral ministry. Lay staff lead faith formation (Eric Westby as Director of Parish and School Catechesis and Institute Director), music, school administration (Mary Coffman, M.Ed., Principal; Ann Zbiegien), marriage preparation and annulments (Roberta Bazaldua), baptism (Janine Campo), and youth ministry (AJ Carter).
- Pastor: Fr. Steven A. Kunkel
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. Musie Tesfayohannes O.Cist, Fr. Marino
- Priests in residence: Fr. Robert Bolding, Fr. Awte Weldu O.Cist
- Deacons: Dcn. William Chavira, Dcn. Matt Murphy, James Peck
- Director of Parish & School Catechesis / ICT Director: Eric Westby
- School Principal: Mary Coffman, M.Ed.
- Assistant Principal: Ann Zbiegien
- Music Director (staff page lists)
- Marriage Prep & Annulments: Roberta Bazaldua
- Infant Baptism Coordinator: Janine Campo
- Funeral Coordinator, Time & Talent Coordinator, Finance Coordinator, Safe Environment Coordinator, Fellowship Coordinator: Greg Hebert, Rosanna Thill, Amy Bowles, and others
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry Assistant: AJ Carter
Parish School (Preschool-8th Grade)
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School opened its doors September 8, 1953, with 230 students in the first six grades and has been educating central-Phoenix Catholics ever since. Today the school enrolls nearly 500 students and is served in part by Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, who have been in residence at the parish since 2006 — their first and longest-running mission in the Diocese of Phoenix. Three of the seven resident sisters teach at the parish school, and others teach at nearby St. Mary's High School. The school's front-campus statue of St. Thomas the Apostle has stood there since December 1953.
- Opened September 8, 1953
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Nearly 500 students
- Principal: Mary Coffman, M.Ed.
- Assistant Principal: Ann Zbiegien
- Seven Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in residence since 2006
- School office: (602) 954-9088
Apostles for Life — Youth & Family Discipleship
Apostles for Life is the parish's umbrella discipleship formation program for children and teens, walking age through 12th grade, designed to help young people respond to the love of Christ and develop their Christian vocation. It is built around 13 core values — Apostolic, Integrated, Communal, Parental, Personal, Catholic, Prayerful, Doctrinal, Liturgical/Sacramental, Biblical, Engaging, and Christ-Centered — and uses the Come Follow Me curriculum from Notre Dame de Vie (France) for elementary ages and ymcentral.com materials for middle and high school.
- Li'l Apostles (walking age through 1st grade, during 9 & 11 AM Sunday Masses)
- Young Apostles (grades 2-5, Come Follow Me curriculum)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level One (ages 3 through kindergarten, Montessori-based)
- Jr. Apostles (grades 6-8)
- Teen Apostles (grades 9-12, Crossroads curriculum)
- Wednesday Night 'We Make Disciples for Families' catechesis for sacramental prep
Institute of Catholic Theology (ICT)
The Institute of Catholic Theology is an adult continuing-education ministry of St. Thomas the Apostle parish, founded in 2009 by Fr. John Ehrich, STL. It offers live and archived courses in person and online, covering Catholic intellectual tradition, Scripture, Moral Theology, the Catechism, Catholic Social Teaching, Consecrated Life, and more. Since July 2023, ICT has had 654 students take over 2,392 courses. Courses are accepted for credit at ASU, NAU, and Grand Canyon University, and ICT has a partnership with Franciscan University of Steubenville. Satellite sites include Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Tempe), St. Thomas Aquinas (Avondale), and St. Bridget (Mesa).
- Founded 2009 by Fr. John Ehrich, STL
- Director: Eric Westby (since inception)
- Undergraduate, graduate, and continuing-education tracks
- Satellite sites: Tempe, Avondale, Mesa
- Credit partnerships with ASU, NAU, GCU, Franciscan University of Steubenville
- More info: ictphx.org
Becoming Catholic (RCIA) & Adult Faith Formation
Adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their sacraments are welcomed through the parish's Becoming Catholic process and Sunday Morning for Adults sessions, which run 9:00-10:45 AM beginning September 13, 2026. These sessions are required for any adult preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, or Confession. The Wednesday Night 'We Make Disciples' track serves families with children and teens in grades 2-12 who need sacramental preparation. Children with special needs are welcomed into preparation using each student's IEP to develop an individualized plan.
- Sunday Morning for Adults: 9:00-10:45 AM
- Wednesday Night for Families: 6:30-7:30 PM
- Open to ages 18 and older
- Cost $45/adult or $45/family; $5/month payment plans available
- Children with special needs accommodated with individualized plans
Parish Life, Fellowship & Outreach
St. Thomas offers a wide range of fellowship and outreach opportunities for every age and stage of life. Active groups include the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul (serving the poor), the Holy Name Society (men), a Men's Bible Study, a Women's Study Group, the STA Mom's Group (family adoration, rosary at the park, mom's night out — [email protected]), and the Young Adult Community. Marriage enrichment is supported through Covenant of Love Date Night, and pro-life formation through Apostles for Life and the monthly pro-life rosary held on the second Sunday of each month at 6:30 PM in Room 13. Fr. Steve's weekly 'Holy Grounds' coffee gathering draws young adults for prayer and conversation with the pastor.
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Holy Name Society
- Men's and Women's Bible Studies
- STA Mom's Group
- Young Adult Community
- Holy Grounds with Fr. Steve
- Covenant of Love Date Night
- Monthly Pro-Life Rosary (2nd Sunday, 6:30 PM, Room 13)
- Parish Gift Shop open daily (602-954-8251)
Sacraments & Pastoral Services
The parish coordinates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Infant baptism begins with a required baptism class; coordinator Janine Campo can be reached through the parish office. Children's preparation for First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Communion (combined no earlier than 3rd grade per diocesan policy) takes place through Wednesday-night family catechesis. Adult sacraments flow through the Becoming Catholic (RCIA) process. Roberta Bazaldua coordinates marriage preparation and annulments, and the parish assists with funeral coordination and parish records/transfers. Confession is available six days a week (Saturday and Sunday as listed), and the 24-hour Adoration chapel provides ongoing prayer support.
- Infant Baptism: class required, coordinator Janine Campo
- Children's Sacraments: Reconciliation, Confirmation, First Communion (Wednesday nights)
- Adult Sacraments: Becoming Catholic / RCIA
- Marriage Preparation & Annulments: Roberta Bazaldua
- Funeral Coordination
- Parish Verification & Records Requests via Online Parish Office
Visiting, Location & Contact
St. Thomas the Apostle is conveniently located near State Route 51 and Camelback Road at 2312 E Campbell Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016, on the corner of 24th Street and Campbell. The Parish Office can be reached at (602) 954-9089 or [email protected]; the school office at (602) 954-9088; and the parish gift shop at (602) 954-8251. The church is open daily for private prayer, confessions are heard Saturday and Sunday, and visitors are invited to register as parishioners through the Online Parish Office on the parish website.
- Address: 2312 E Campbell Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016
- Parish Office: (602) 954-9089
- School Office: (602) 954-9088
- Gift Shop: (602) 954-8251
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.staphx.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Ehrich, STL
Founded the Institute of Catholic Theology at the parish in 2009.
- Fr. Steven A. Kunkel2016-present
Current pastor; launched the 'Building Virtues' capital campaign in 2016 and 'Continue Our Mission' campaign; led the parish into its 70th anniversary in 2020.
- Fr. Musie Tesfayohannes, O.Cist2018-present
Joined as Parochial Vicar in 2018.