About the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia:
Founded in 1938, parishioners initially attended Mass in what is today the St. Thomas More School gym. The original church was constructed in 1950 with Mass being celebrated in what is now Burke Hall. A larger, cruciform church was built and dedicated on December 9, 1961 by Bishop John Russell of the Diocese of Richmond.
. The cathedral is the “Mother Church of the diocese” hosting many diocesan activities and Masses drawing people from around Northern Virginia. Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge was installed as the fourth Bishop in December 2016.
In 2023 renovations began on the existing church in conjunction with the diocese’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and were completed in August 2024. A Golden Jubilee Mass celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of Arlington was celebrated on September 5, 2024. There, in the company of three Cardinals, including the Papal Nuncio Christophe Cardinal Pierre, 30 Bishops, several hundred priests, and 1,000 attendees, the new altar was dedicated by Bishop Burbidge.
The Cathedral was founded in 1938 with Reverend Edwin J. Lee was the first pastor. In 1942 the first Church building was completed. This building is now the north wing of the school, with classrooms below and the school auditorium above. The current Rectory was built in 1955.
The “crypt church” was used for worship from 1950 to 1961. The present Cathedral is built on top of that building and was dedicated on December 9, 1961 by Most Reverend John J. Russell, Bishop of Richmond.
Msgr. Taylor began a choir of men and boys under the direction of Dr. J. Edward Cordon. The choir began singing at the dedication of the new church. They gave their first concert on Palm Sunday in 1962.
The church was raised to the status of a cathedral in 1974 when the Diocese of Arlington was formed out of the Diocese of Richmond
A new organ was built by the Newcomer Organ Company in 1980-81, retaining pipework from the organ installed by the Moller Organ Company in 1961.
The bell tower was dedicated in 1982 with six bells and with room for six more.
In 1987, Msgr. O’Connell began renovation of the church building in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the parish, which was celebrated lavishly with ceremony, dinner and dancing, and even a special summer concert by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Dr. Haig Mardirosian.
In 1989, Rev. John T. Cilinski became the third rector of the Cathedral. Under Msgr. Cilinski’s leadership, the school auditorium was converted into a combined auditorium/gymnasium.
The Cathedral’s choir sang for Pope John Paul II, February 2, 2001.
The Cathedral underwent a major renovation beginning in June, 2015 and re-opened on December 12, 2015.
Traveling to the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia:
Address: 3901 Cathedral Lane, Arlington, Virginia 22203
Tel: +1 (703) 525-1300
email: STMparishoffice@cathedralstm.org
Click here for the official website of The Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia.