About Visitation · Topping, Virginia
The Church of the Visitation is a Roman Catholic parish located in Topping, Virginia, in Middlesex County on Route 33 (8462 General Puller Highway). Founded in 1983 and belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, the parish serves Catholics in Middlesex and the surrounding Northern Neck area. Currently led by Father Johnny Mintah-Mensah, known as 'Father Koo,' the parish celebrates Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM and offers daily Mass on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Known for its strong outreach — first to Haiti and now to St. Noa's School in Uganda — the parish combines traditional Catholic worship with active community charity.
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Johnny Mintah-Mensah (Father Koo), Parochial Administrator
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
The Church of the Visitation offers a small, close-knit Catholic community rooted in the Northern Neck of Virginia, with strong liturgy (Sunday Mass at 9 AM and Wednesday/Thursday daily Mass) and a lay-led culture of service. Parishioners are deeply involved in ministries from choir to Knights of Columbus, faith formation, prison ministry, and a knitting ministry — and the parish is distinguished by an exceptional commitment to international outreach, first in Haiti and now supporting St. Noa's School in Uganda. With a paid-off building expansion, a parish cemetery, and warm welcome from a long-tenured staff, it is an ideal home for those seeking active participation rather than anonymity.
Mass times at Visitation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment
History of the Church of the Visitation
The parish traces its origins to the summer of 1980, when Father Jack Dougher, then assistant pastor of St. Therese Church in Gloucester, climbed on a moped and conducted a door-to-door survey of Middlesex County to learn how many Catholics lived there. On November 24, 1981, the Development/Planning Committee met to start the process of becoming a parish, and the future church site was purchased the following month — a discovery made by John Baker after his car broke down opposite the property. Bishop Walter F. Sullivan gave the Middlesex Catholic Community official designation as a mission of St. Therese, and on July 1, 1983, the community became a parish, named by Bishop Sullivan the Church of the Visitation. By this time, Catholics in Mathews had sought their own identity, and the two counties became independent parishes served by one pastor.
- Door-to-door moped survey by Father Dougher, summer 1980
- Development/Planning Committee formed November 24, 1981
- Parish officially established July 1, 1983
- First Parish Council: Lynn Baker (President), Marie Staib (VP), Robert Nielsen, Beryl O'Connor, Charles Walsh, Al Watkins, Joseph Hock Jr., Mike McMahon, Father Jack Dougher
Building the Church
Construction on the new church began in March 1985, with plans drawn by Brooks & Elliott of Tappahannock for a 4,400-square-foot building including the sanctuary, sacristy, small chapel, pastor's office, conference room, and kitchen. Lynn Baker promised Bishop Sullivan that parishioners would contribute their own labor and skill. The site was prepared March 10, the foundation poured the following week, and the framing was nearly complete by the end of April. Local craftsman Paul Sherwood built the altar, and Carl Lorber and John Baker built the interior fittings. The Dedication Mass was celebrated by Bishop Sullivan on September 8, 1985, with the children of the parish leading the Entrance Processional. The words 'May Christ find a dwelling place of faith in our hearts' summarized the moment.
- Architect: Brooks & Elliott of Tappahannock
- 4,400 sq ft — sanctuary, sacristy, chapel, pastor's office, conference room, kitchen
- Altar built by local craftsman Paul Sherwood
- Interior fittings built by Carl Lorber and John Baker
- Dedicated September 8, 1985 by Bishop Sullivan
2008 Expansion and Silver Jubilee
The parish Building Committee oversaw a two-phase expansion: enlargement and renovation of the worship space, followed by construction of a new sanctuary. The phase-one addition was formally blessed and dedicated by the Most Rev. Walter F. Sullivan, Bishop Emeritus of Richmond, on September 21, 2008 — the same date the parish celebrated its Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary). Although the expansion cost $1,060,000, the debt was paid off by 2013 through the generosity of parishioners and benefactors.
- Phase one: worship space enlargement and renovation
- Phase two: new sanctuary construction
- Blessed and dedicated September 21, 2008
- Coincided with the parish's 25th anniversary (Silver Jubilee)
- Total cost $1,060,000; debt retired by 2013
Parish Leadership & Pastoral Succession
The Church of the Visitation has been served by a succession of dedicated priests, beginning with founding pastor Father Jack Dougher. Father Dan Bond succeeded him in October 1989, followed by Father John Boddie in June 1997 — who guided the parish through years of growth and died of cancer in May 2009. Father Robert Cummins Jr. became the fourth leader in July 2009, leading the grieving parish and a mission trip to Haiti. In August 2016, Fr. Gerald Kaggwa became the fifth spiritual leader, inspiring the St. Noa's School outreach in his home village of Uganda. The parish is currently led by Father Johnny Mintah-Mensah ('Father Koo'), who joined from South Hill, VA, where he was known for developing a program for the sick and homebound.
- Fr. Jack Dougher — founding pastor (approx. 1983–1989)
- Fr. Dan Bond — second pastor (Oct 1989 – c.1997)
- Fr. John Boddie — third pastor (Jun 1997 – May 2009)
- Fr. Robert Cummins Jr. — fourth pastor (Jul 2009 – c.2016)
- Fr. Gerald Kaggwa — fifth pastor (Aug 2016 – recent)
- Rev. Johnny Mintah-Mensah 'Father Koo' — current Parochial Administrator
- Fr. Robert C. Nash (retired, d. July 2012) assisted the parish from 1997 onward
Outreach: Haiti and Uganda
The parish has been active in international mission outreach for nearly four decades. When the Diocese of Richmond began its Haiti Twinning Project in 1985, the parish twinned with St. Michaels in Boucan Carre, helping sponsor a water system, a bakery, hospital costs, and school uniforms and lunches. In 2010, the focus shifted to the Maison Fortuné Orphanage in Hinche, and included a youth-and-adults mission trip. In November 2017, the parish redirected its outreach to build and support St. Noa's School in Kitangira Village, southern Uganda — the home village of then-pastor Fr. Gerald Kaggwa — where students had been learning in a ramshackle building and older children walked 5 miles each way. By 2020, parishioners had raised about $60,000 for school operations, sponsorship, playgrounds, security, and teacher housing.
- 1985: Twinned with St. Michaels, Boucan Carre, Haiti
- 2010: Shifted to Maison Fortuné Orphanage, Hinche, Haiti
- 2017: Began St. Noa's School project, Kitangira Village, Uganda
- By 2020: ~$60,000 raised for St. Noa's operational support
Sacraments & Faith Formation
The parish's Christian Formation Program includes the Adult R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and the children's Faith Formation program. Children's religious education, guided for many years by Eileen O'Brien, developed from home instruction into a regular program housed in an added wing of classrooms. The parish also celebrates Baptism and Marriage — contact the parish office for arrangements. Pastoral Care Ministry ensures that those unable to attend Mass in person remain included in the faith community.
- Adult RCIA
- Children's Faith Formation
- Baptism and Marriage preparation (contact parish)
- Pastoral Care for sick and homebound
Parish Ministries & Parish Life
Ministry at the Visitation is shaped by the gifts and skills of its parishioners. Parish Life, guided for many years by Peg Meushaw, routinely hosts large receptions for parish celebrations and funerals. The Knights of Columbus actively sponsor parish celebrations, often in conjunction with sister parish Francis de Sales. A Knitting Ministry knits prayer shawls while sharing companionship and prayer. The Peace and Justice Committee participates in Hands Across Middlesex, supporting the county-wide food pantry, clothing barn, and yard sales. The parish also runs a developing prison ministry and outreach at Christmas for inmates' children. The Church Facility and Grounds Ministry ensures maintenance of the buildings and gardens.
- Parish Life / Hospitality
- Knights of Columbus
- Knitting Ministry (prayer shawls)
- Peace and Justice / Hands Across Middlesex
- Prison Ministry
- Pastoral Care Ministry
- Church Facility and Grounds
- Parish Council and Finance Council
Parish Staff
The day-to-day operation of the parish is supported by a small, dedicated staff alongside the priest. Office hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Father Johnny Mintah-Mensah 'Father Koo' — Pastor (Parochial Administrator)
- Ray Kostesky — Church Administrator
- Andrea Moore — Church Secretary
Parish Cemetery
The parish operates its own cemetery on the same campus as the church, with separate contact information for cemetery inquiries.
- Name: Church of the Visitation Cemetery
- Location: 8462 General Puller Highway, Topping, VA 23169
- Cemetery phone: (804) 776-0078
Major Fundraisers & Community Events
Major fundraising events have grown from parishioner strengths. For many years the August Yard Sale — first led by Carol McPherson and later by Jack and Louise Petralia — raised money for community outreach. The yard sale is now held jointly with the Cryer Center and Hands Across Middlesex. The Father John Boddie Memorial Golf Tournament, held annually in May, supports community endeavors and the building fund, while the Father John Boddie Scholarship Fund supports the education of college-bound youth through the River County Community Foundation.
- Annual August Yard Sale (joint with Cryer Center / Hands Across Middlesex)
- Father John Boddie Memorial Golf Tournament (each May)
- Father John Boddie Scholarship Fund via River County Community Foundation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Jack Dougherfounding pastor (approx. 1983–1989)
Founding pastor; led door-to-door moped survey of Middlesex in 1980, oversaw building of original church, dedication in 1985; also served Mathews mission.
- Father Dan BondOctober 1989 – c.1997
Second pastor, succeeded Father Dougher.
- Father John BoddieJune 1997 – May 2009
Third pastor; guided continued growth; died of cancer May 2009. Memorial golf tournament held annually in May; scholarship fund in his name supports college-bound youth.
- Father Robert Cummins, Jr.July 2009 – c.2016
Fourth pastor; led grieving parish after Father John's death; long-time commitment to Maison Fortuné Orphanage in Haiti; led parish mission trip to Haiti.
- Fr. Gerald KaggwaAugust 2016 – present (as of parish history)
Fifth spiritual leader; inspired St. Noa's School outreach in his Ugandan home village; led online Mass during Covid-19 pandemic.
- Father Robert C. NashAugust 1997 – July 2012
Retired priest and parishioner who assisted in the absence of pastor; died July 2012 at age 88.
- Rev. Johnny Mintah-Mensah 'Father Koo'Current (after Fr. Gerry)
Current Parochial Administrator; joined from South Hill, VA; known for developing a program for the sick and homebound.