Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.
This is Jesus' invitation to discipleship in Matthew 11:28-30.
Father Patrick M. Crino, Pastor
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish's building committee was hand-selected by Founding Pastor, Father Todd O’Leary from among its founding members.
With Gordon Schroeder serving as chairman, Parish building committee members were:
Andrew Arena
Mary Chambers
Ann Fallon
T. Clifford Noonan
Carolyn Pongratz
1984 and 1985 were busy and productive years. Those involved worked tirelessly to envision and deliver an overall master campus plan for the ages.
While purposefully avoiding extravagance, the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish master campus plan strove to be in harmony with and respectful of its residential neighbors. Local architectural firm, Doug Seaver + Associates, delivered on the overall vision.
The church’s exterior style was decidedly Neoclassical/Spanish colonial – familiar and comfortable. It was designed to recall the roots of our Catholic faith, steeped in Spanish missionary tradition.
The 14,130 square foot interior was accommodated with all the conveniences of modern technology and designed to facilitate - at the time - 20th century liturgy. The plan sought and achieved a blend of comfortable and cozy with new technology and classic style.
Semi-circular congregation seating (accommodating 850) emphasized community and witness to the Catholic belief that worshipers are as close to God as their concern for one another. No St. Thomas the Apostle church worshiper is farther than 75 feet from the altar.
Placement of the choir was designed for optimal sound and congregational interaction.
The muted, soft color palette of pew fabric, carpet and wall finish combined with the grandeur of the stained glass windows and other appointments, intended to create the devotional ambiance foundational to good liturgy.
The church's crowning design feature? In the words of Monsignor Todd O’Leary:
“Perhaps the most beautiful thing in our spiritual home is courtesy of God Himself:
the view of the majestic Catalinas through the North window.”
The courtyard's interesting architectural features include:
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel was built in 1997 and opened in 1998.
It was this addition that gave Father Todd his greatest joy. His goal was to create a spiritual environment that would foster devotion, be an intimate space (seating 150), and whose overall effect would reflect and favor the mission-style chapels of the area's Southwest heritage.
In the June 16, 1987 Tucson Citizen, Architectural Critic Larry Cheek (known for his no-holds-barred assessments), weighed in with his review of the brand new St. Thomas the Apostle church.
"It is easy for most people to accept, to admire, even to be inspired by St. Thomas church," he wrote, going further to identify Phase I church and courtyard elements that most impressed: