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Our HistoryOUR STORY. -
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On March 23, 1959, Bishop Loras T. Lane created the new parish of St. Thomas More by dividing St. Laurence Parish and giving the new parish 15 acres to build a church. The founding pastor, Father Walter C. Roberts (1959 -1970), arrived at St. Thomas More on Friday, April 10, 1959, and celebrated the first Sunday Masses two days later at the Highland School Gym. Weekday Masses were offered at St. Laurence Church until a temporary church could be constructed.
Father Roberts resided at the Chateau Louise in Dundee from April 11, 1959 until May 11, 1959, when he moved into the first rectory on Commonwealth Avenue. The ground breaking ceremonies for the new church and school were held on September 20, 1959 and Father Roberts celebrated the first Mass in the temporary church on September 4, 1960. The school officially opened in September of 1960 for grades 1 through 5 with Sister Helena, O.P. serving as the first principal. One grade was added each year until the school reached the capacity of eight grades. Bishop Lane solemnly blessed the church and school on April 22, 1961. In August of 1964, Father Roberts purchased a private home to be used as a convent located at 1431 Easy Street. Before this, the sisters lived in a rented house on Jewett Street across from St. Laurence School. In July of 1966, construction on a new rectory was begun, and on October 22, 1966, Father Roberts moved into his new residence.
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On January 6, 1970, Father Willis L. Bradley (1970-1975) was named the second pastor of St. Thomas More Parish. During his five and one half years as pastor, Father Bradley continued the work of retiring the parish debt.
During the pastorate of Father James V. McKitrick (1975-1979), a new St. Thomas More Church was built. The new church was dedicated on February 4, 1979, by Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill, who was the principal celebrant of the Mass. The new church seated 700 people. The Community Activity Center was added to the former church and school building and served as a multi-purpose area for parish activities.
On June 1, 1979, Father Joseph B. Linster (1979-1991) was appointed the fourth pastor of St. Thomas More. The new pastor had his work cut out for him. Not only was there an existing parish debt of $959,000 for the new buildings, but many crucial decisions had to be made about organizing the new facilities. Under Father Linster’s pastorate, the debt retired and a new fund drive was begun to build an addition to the school. He moved to the Easy Street address so the sisters could be closer to the school. The Dominican Sisters regretfully withdrew from the parish in 1991.
Bishop O’Neill celebrated Mass and dedicated the new wing on September 13, 1992; Father Robert R. Miller (1991-1995), Pastor, concelebrated. The educational wing consists of a 7,000 square foot addition, which houses the kindergarten, pre-school, art room, and the learning resource center. The original church was remodeled to include three meeting rooms a religious education resource room, and a youth ministry lounge. It was dedicated as Roberts Hall in honor of Father Walter C. Roberts, the founding pastor of St. Thomas More.
Father Richard M. Russo (1995-2001) was installed as our sixth pastor upon his arrival in September 1995 following the sudden death of Father Miller. He led the parish through a difficult transition and, over the next six years, worked tirelessly with focus on sacraments and stewardship.
Father Geoffrey D. Wirth (2001-2012) was installed as our seventh pastor in July of 2001. Under Fr. Geoff's leadership our parish underwent a major reonovation of the church. On June 25, 2006 Bishop Thomas G. Doran celebrated the Mass of Dedication for the renovated and expanded church building. A gathering space, five meeting rooms, storage space, and four offices for parish staff were added. Father Geoff served St. Thomas More from July 1, 2001, until June 29, 2012.
Father Antoni Kretowicz faithfully ministered to our parish from July 2012 through June 2013 when the diocese called him to a serve at a new parish.
Father Richard A. Rosinski was installed as our ninth pastor in July 2013.
Our current Pastor, Fr. Ryan Browning, was assigned by the diocese to shepherd the people of St. Thomas More in June 2019.
Presently the parish has 2,544 registered families.Our Shepherds Reverend Walter C. Roberts, Pastor April 10, 1959 to January 6, 1970 Reverend Willis Bradley, Pastor January 6, 1970 to October 15, 1975 Reverend Patrick Corbally, Administrator Pro-Tem October 15, 1975 to November 1, 1975 Reverend James McKitrick, Pastor November 1, 1975 to February 8, 1979 Reverend Harlan Clapsaddle, Associate Pastor July 18, 1978 to June 15, 1981 Reverend Joseph Linster, Pastor June 1, 1979 to July 15, 1991 Reverend Michael Tierney, Associate Pastor June 15, 1981 to July 15, 1983 Reverend Robert Miller, Pastor July 15, 1991 to August 2, 1995 Reverend William Knott, Administrator Pro-Tem August 2, 1995 to September 26, 1995 Reverend Richard M. Russo, Pastor September 26, 1995 to July 2, 2001 Reverend Louis Tosto, Associate Pastor June 10, 1997 to June 8, 1998 Reverend Perfecto Vasquez, Associate Pastor June 9, 1998 to April 25, 2000 Reverend Andrew C. Hougan, Associate Pastor June 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004 Reverend Geoffrey D. Wirth, Pastor July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2012 Reverend Andrew J. Plesa, Retired-In-Residence July 1, 2001 to June 30,2012 Reverend Dario Endiape, Associate Pastor July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2007 Reverend Arturo Mallari, Associate Pastor July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010 Reverend Kevin Butler, Associate Pastor July 1, 2010 to May 31, 2014 Reverend Antoni Kretowicz, Pastor July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 Reverend Richard A. Rosinski, Pastor July 1, 2013 to June 16, 2019 Reverend Louis F. Tosto, Associate Pastor
Reverend Ryan Browning, PastorJuly 1, 2014 to June 2016
June 17, 2019 to Present
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