Parish History
1900….Catholics in the area were considered a mission of the old Immaculate Conception parish, which is today the Basilica of St. Mary. Four parishes have evolved from within the original parish boundaries of St. Thomas. They are Annunciation (1922), Christ the King (1939), Most Holy Trinity (1943), and Our Lady of Grace (1946).
1908….On May 3, Father Thomas Cullen celebrated the first Mass in Desmond’s Hall on W. 43rd Street. In August, Archbishop Ireland appointed Father Michael O’Brien the first pastor to serve the 40 Catholic families in the district and those moving into the area.
1909….Local Catholics purchased two lots on the corner of York Avenue and 44th Street. A church was erected the same year.
1918….Father John Cleary succeeded Father O’Brien as pastor. He began a campaign to eliminate the $6,200 debt owed by the parish and to make needed repairs to the facility.
1923….The parish population was 600 families. The building fund begun in 1918 had eliminated the $6,200 debt and had a balance of $18,000. Eleven lots were purchased on West 44th Street between Upton and Washburn Avenues, at a cost of $40,000.
1924….An architect was hired to plan the new parish facility at a projected cost of $600,000. The parish had $150,000 dedicated for it.
1925….Ground was broken for the parish school and auditorium (our present church).
1927….Construction of the new church on West 44th was completed.
1933….Parish celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding.
1939….Christ the King Parish in Minneapolis was established.
1943….Most Holy Trinity Parish in St. Louis Park was established.
1946….Our Lady of Grace Parish in Edina was established.
1954….Father William P. Delaney was named pastor after the death of Father Cleary.
1955….Sacristies and a baptistery were added to the church.
1958….Parish membership increased to approximately 1,006 families. Parish offices, a new rectory and convent were added to the facilities. The parish celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding.
1964….Monsignor Gerald T. Baskfield was named pastor after the death of Father Delaney.
1966….Two years after his appointment as pastor, Msgr. Baskfield died.
1967….Monsignor David A. Dillon, a St. Paul Seminary professor, was named pastor.
1973…Father Stephen R. O’Gara was named associate pastor.
1979….Father O’Gara was named pastor of St. Dominic in Northfield.
1983….The parish celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding.
1988….Father O’Gara was named the new pastor after Father Dillon announced his retirement.
1991….St. Thomas the Apostle School and Christ the King School become a combined educational program.
1994….Parish begins "Expanding Our Vision" with meetings on a Master Plan for improvements in and expansion of our facilities.
1995….Ground breaking for Phase I of the Master Plan.
1996….Completion of Phase I of the Master Plan. Dedication of Gathering space, elevator and east entrance.
1998….Building Committee reestablished to begin meetings on Phase II of our Master Plan.
1999….General Parish meeting and invitation to all parishioners to participate in the decisions concerning Phase II of the Master Plan.
2003....The Christ the King/St. Thomas the Apostle School changes its name from CTK/STA to Carondelet Catholic School.
June 1, 2008….Parish celebrates100 years of worship and service to the community.
We are grateful to all those who have gone before us and who have sacrificed to make St. Thomas the Apostle what it is today. We ask God’s blessing on us as we continue to grow and serve one another.