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The History of St. Thomas' Church

St. Thomas Episcopal Church came into being as the result of the foresight of clergy and laity comprising of the Potomac Area Strategy Committee of the Department of Missions of the Diocese of Virginia. The Committee, with the consent of rectors of the neighboring parishes, agreed that a new congregation be formed and the Diocese of Virginia purchased the present site for $17,500 in January of 1960.

A meeting was called of known Episcopalians in the immediate area to discuss the organization of a new church with the Rev. William A. Opel. The Rev. Opel was appointed priest in charge in August 1961. The first service was held at 4:00 p.m., September 10, 1961, at Andrew Chapel Methodist Church.

Ground breaking for St. Thomas Episcopal Church was held on Sunday, July 30, 1961 and construction began on a rectory and church parish house of the "Church of the Sixties" type developed by the Diocese of Virginia for new congregations.

The first service conducted by the Rev. Opel in the yet uncompleted sanctuary was held on Christmas Eve, 1961. Plywood occupied the windows, kerosene heaters provided warmth, and light was by candles. Among the families in attendance were Bird, Dvorachek, Henshaw, Lee Thorp, Marcus, Mote, Hudson, McBroom, Pringle, and Sims.

St. Thomas was dedicated by the Right Reverend Samuel B. Chilton, Suffragan Bishop of Virginia, in a service in which other Episcopal leaders took part on Sunday, September 9, 1962 at 8:00 a.m.

A sacristy, seven new classrooms, adequate office space and a combination choir room and library were added in 1965. The parish hall and kitchen were modified to give more working space, while the field beyond the parking lot was leveled for a ball field.

In 1966, St. Thomas achieved parish status and thereby became a separate congregation. The Rev. William Opel was the priest in charge from 1961 to 1966. In 1966 he exchanged parishes with the Rev. Alex Methven in London. Mr. Methven was later called and served as Rector of the parish until 1969. In August of 1969, the Rev. Robert W. Dickey arrived from the Diocese of Delaware and served St. Thomas until September of 1986

.In 1988 the parish called the Rev. John W. Morris. Under his 17 year leadership, St. Thomas was transformed into the church it is today. The lay leadership expanded and took on strong independent roles in music, outreach, and eduction. New staff were added, including an Assistant Rector for Youth and Young Adults and a Minister for Children.

Substantial capital programs were undertaken in the late 90’s to expand and renovate the St. Thomas physical facility, including a new narthex, kitchen and parish hall, a new education wing with classrooms, a nursery and library, and a newly acquired church organ and recording and sound system. The Rev. Morris’ tenure marked a significant expansion and growth of the parish’s programs and spiritual life. In September 2005, the Rev. Morris answered the call to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lancaster PA.

Following a successful search process, which included the creation of the Parish Profile, in July 2007 the parish of St. Thomas called the Rev. Stephen Edmondson to be our current Rector.

The Diocese of Virginia
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia encompasses the 38 counties north of the James River. Founded in 1785, the Diocese has its origin in the first Holy Communion celebrated on American soil at James Towne in 1607. Today, the Diocese numbers 185 parishes with Richmond the See City. The Diocese is divided into 15 geographic regions. St. Thomas is one of the eight Episcopal Churches in the Region V North Fairfax Regional Council.