History of St. Thomas More Parish
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.
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.
On June 25, 2006, during the pastorate of Father Geoffrey D. Wirth, 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 Geoffrey D. Wirth, the current pastor, has been assigned to St. Thomas More since July 1, 2001. Presently the parish has 2,950 registered families.
| Our Shepherds |
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| 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 Present |
| Reverend Andrew J. Plesa, Retired-In-Residence | July 1, 2001 to Present |
| 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 Present |