About The Basilica of Saint Andrew · Roanoke, Virginia
The Basilica of Saint Andrew (also known as St. Andrew's Catholic Church) is a Roman Catholic parish in Roanoke, Virginia, in the Diocese of Richmond. Founded in 1882 and dedicated in its present form in 1902, the parish serves 1,502 registered families from its iconic twin-spired High Victorian Gothic church that sits on one of the highest knolls overlooking downtown Roanoke. On September 6, 2023, the Vatican's Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted the parish the title of minor basilica — making it the only minor basilica in western Virginia and the second in the Diocese of Richmond.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- Saint Andrew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin Segerblom
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Saint Andrew offers a rare combination: a historic High Victorian Gothic basilica with a parish community of more than 1,500 families, daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction every Thursday, a livestreamed Sunday Mass, a full Christian Formation program for grades K–8, youth ministry for middle and high schoolers, and OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults. The parish extends its ministry beyond its doors into Roanoke Catholic School, the Roanoke City Jail, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, and Our Lady of the Valley Retirement Community, and operates active Respect Life, St. Vincent de Paul, and Walking with Moms in Need outreach. Pilgrims are also welcome to obtain a plenary indulgence on designated feast days.
Mass times at The Basilica of Saint Andrew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:45 PM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday 12:45 PM – 6:45 PM (Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration)
- Thursday 6:45 PM – 7:00 PM (Eucharistic Benediction)
Parish History
Saint Andrew Catholic parish was established in Roanoke in 1882, when Father John W. Lynch celebrated the first Mass aboard a Shenandoah Valley Railroad passenger coach. The parish was dedicated in its current twin-spired, High Victorian Gothic church in 1902, designed by William P. Ginther of Akron, Ohio. After Vatican II the interior was modified for versus populum celebration, and between 2010 and 2014 the pipe organ was replaced with an electric organ and the original steeples renovated. The parish was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and elevated to minor basilica in 2023.
- First Mass in Roanoke: November 19, 1882 (Passenger Coach No. 6)
- Founding priest: Rev. John W. Lynch
- Current church dedicated: 1902, total cost ~$108,000
- Architect: William P. Ginther of Akron, Ohio
- Style: High Victorian Gothic
- National Register of Historic Places: 1973
- Elevated to minor basilica: September 6, 2023
Minor Basilica Designation & Symbols
On September 6, 2023, the Vatican's Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted St. Andrew the title of minor basilica — the only one in western Virginia. Father Segerblom assembled a committee in the summer of 2021; the application answered 119 detailed questions translated from Latin. Bishop Barry C. Knestout celebrated a Mass on December 3, 2023 reading the official decree and blessing the symbols.
- Motto: INVENIMUS DOMINUM (We Have Found the Lord) — John 1:41
- Ombrellino: red and gold striped canopy symbolizing bond with the Holy Father
- Crossed Keys: gold (binding/loosing) and silver (papal spiritual authority) — Matthew 16:19
- Shield symbols: saltire (St. Andrew's Cross), three interlacing stars (Trinity and the railroad), a dog, and a pool of red representing martyrs' blood
Plenary Indulgence Days
Catholics in a state of grace may obtain a plenary indulgence by visiting the Basilica on designated feast days. To receive the indulgence, the faithful must receive Sacramental Confession and Eucharistic Communion within twenty days before or after the visit, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
- June 29 — Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
- September 6 — Anniversary of the Granting of the Title Basilica
- September 27 — Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul
- November 30 — Feast of Saint Andrew
- One additional open date per year chosen by each of the faithful
Relics at the Basilica
The basilica houses sacred relics that pilgrims are welcome to venerate. Pilgrimages can be scheduled by contacting Larry Levy, Evangelization Development Coordinator.
- Pilgrimage contact: Larry Levy, [email protected]
Faith Formation & Sacraments
The parish runs Christian Formation for grades K–8 with separate sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) process welcomes inquirers, baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation/Eucharist, and those unbaptized. OCIA classes meet every Thursday from 6:30 PM to 8:15 PM.
- Christian Formation & Sacraments grades K–8 (Director: Colleen Morrison)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation (Grade 2)
- Confirmation preparation
- OCIA (Adults) — classes Thursdays 6:30–8:15 PM; contact Erik Moledor or Ginny Garza
- OCIA for Children
- Adult Faith Formation Coordinator: Erik Moledor
Youth Ministry
Saint Andrew's runs youth programs for both middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12). The Director of Youth and Evangelization is Caroline Stanfill, with Paul Flagg as Youth Ministry Coordinator.
- Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6–8)
- High School Youth Ministry (grades 9–12, Sunday afternoons)
Respect Life & Outreach
The Respect Life Ministry is one of the parish's most active apostolates. The Basilica is a 'Walking with Moms in Need' responding church, having helped more than 30 families since January 2024. The parish St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Basilica together assisted over 100 mothers in the past year with rental and utility assistance, groceries, diapers, furniture, and other essentials.
- Walking with Moms in Need (contact Aimee Valenzuela)
- 40 Days for Life
- March for Life
- Virginia Pro-Life Day — annual parish bus trip to Richmond
- Baby Bottle Campaign benefiting Blue Ridge Women's Center
- CarePortal response team
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Pregnancy Resources / Blue Ridge Women's Center partnership
- Virginia Catholic Conference advocacy
Parish Staff & Coordinators
Beyond the clergy, the parish is staffed by coordinators in music, faith formation, religious education, youth ministry, outreach, business, and facilities.
- Rev. Kevin Segerblom — Pastor/Rector
- Rev. Andrew Clark — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. William Buckley — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. Daniel Robert Derringer, Ph.D. — Permanent Deacon
- Kelly Wheelbarger — Minister of Music
- Shaina Shepherd — Music Minister
- Nick Leitch — Cantor and Music Assistant
- Erik Moledor — Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
- Colleen Morrison — Director of Religious Education
- Caroline Stanfill — Director of Youth and Evangelization
- Paul Flagg — Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Kathy McDaniel — Pastoral Care Coordinator
- Aimee Valenzuela — Social Outreach Coordinator
- Larry Levy — Evangelization Development Coordinator
- Danielle Webster — Nursery Coordinator
- Timothy Heffron — Director of Business Administration
- Virginia McIntyre — Secretary & Food Service Manager
- Jeannie McIntyre — Secretary & Food Service Manager
- Jimmy Patton — Facilities Maintenance Coordinator
- Julia Knauss — Cleaning
Cemetery — The Mausoleum at St. Andrew's
The Mausoleum at St. Andrew's is located at 631 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA 24016, sharing the parish address and phone number (540-344-9814). It was built during the tenure of Father Steven R. Rule alongside the Social Hall, Minor Worship Chapel, music rehearsal room, and classrooms.
- Mausoleum at St. Andrew's — 631 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA 24016
- Phone: (540) 344-9814
Special Ministries & Community Outreach
The parish extends its ministry beyond its walls through partnerships with local Catholic institutions and service to those in need.
- Roanoke Catholic School
- Roanoke City Jail
- Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
- Our Lady of the Valley Retirement Community
- Total Action for Progress
- The Roanoke Rescue Mission
Visiting & Pilgrimage
The Basilica building itself is open Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with daily noon Mass Monday through Friday. Closings are posted on the parish website or Facebook page.
- Schedule a pilgrimage: Larry Levy, [email protected]
- Parish office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John W. Lynch1882–early 1900s
Founding priest; said first Mass in Roanoke in 1882 aboard a railroad passenger coach; oversaw construction of rectory (1887) and new church (dedicated 1902).
- Rev. Joseph Friolifrom 1912
Assumed the pastorate.
- Rev. John A. Kelliherfrom 1921
Succeeded Frioli.
- Rev. James E. (surname truncated in source)1930s
Succeeded at St. Andrew's in the 1930s.
- Rev. Thomas B. Martinuntil November 1949
Died in office; his assistant Rev. Joseph H. Hodges became Bishop of Wheeling, WV.
- Rev. John S. Igoeuntil 1964
Succeeded Martin.
- Msgr. J. Louis Flahertyfrom 1964
Later elevated to Auxiliary Bishop of Richmond.
- Rev. George J. Gormleyuntil retirement 1981
- Rev. William S. O'Brien1981–1990
- Rev. Carl J. Naro1990–1993
Retired in 1993.
- Rev. Steven R. Rule1993–2002
Returned to his birth and baptism parish; built Social Hall, Minor Worship Chapel, music rehearsal room, classrooms, and the Mausoleum.
- Msgr. Thomas G. Miller2002–2015
Retired 2015.
- Rev. Mark WhiteAugust 2015
Assigned as pastor.
- Rev. Kevin SegerblomJuly 2017–present
Current pastor; led the application process that resulted in the parish's elevation to minor basilica in 2023.