History

Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish was founded in 1907 to care for the spiritual needs of a handful of families who lived in Delmar and on the farms in its environs. For the first years of its existence the parish met in the homes of its members and in a rented building that still stands at the corner of Kenwood and Borthwick Avenues.

The first church building (pictured on the left) was begun in September 1923 and completed the following year. That building served the community for almost 40 years.
 
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, a growing community needed more.  St. Thomas built an elementary school, completed in January of 1957 and staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.  In addition, the Bishop also noted the need for a  new "more commodious" Church building.  A 1960 article from the Spotlight reported on the plans for the new building, and a 1962 article celebrates the dedication of the Church building we have today.
 
 While the number of parishioners stabilized over the next few decades, outreach, evangelization and participation in faith and parish activities continued to grow.  In the 1990s, the growth in activities called for an addition to the Church facilities, and from that came the beautiful Daily Mass Chapel, Gathering Space and Faith Formation and Parish office wing we enjoy today.
 
 In 2016, the interior of the Church was renovated to reflect the principles of a modern faith community, as espoused in Vatican II.  The altar was moved to be closer to the congregation and the sound and feel of the renewing waters of a baptismal font welcome everyone who comes through the door.