Tucked into a single block of East Jefferson Street in the historic downtown, Holy Comforter Catholic Church has stood as Charlottesville's first Roman Catholic parish for more than a century. The brick church with its tall bell tower, the adjoining courtyard, and the bustling social hall on the Third Street NE side form a small campus that serves both as a neighborhood place of worship and as a hub for food, education, and outreach ministries that reach far beyond the parish boundaries. Parishioners and visitors encounter a community rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition, shaped by the Diocese of Richmond, and committed to the rhythms of daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Christian formation for every age, and service to neighbors in need.

From the Church of the Paraclete to Holy Comforter

Catholicism in Charlottesville began modestly. The first Mass of record in the town was celebrated in the parlor of F. M. Paoli's residence, presumably on Random Row (now West Main Street), and services were then held for about twelve years in the Town Hall. Priests rode in from St. Francis Assisi Church in Staunton and continued on to other missions in the surrounding area.

In 1880 the first Catholic church in Charlottesville was built on the corner of Jefferson Street and School Street (now Third Street, Northeast) and named the Church of the Paraclete. The cornerstone was laid on July 25, 1880, by the Most Reverend John J. Keane, Bishop of Richmond. The principal contributor was Martin Tracy, whose gift of a 75-acre farm was sold for $1,300 to fund construction. The early building was described as a pretty brick structure, thirty-five by sixty feet, with a tower on the northeast corner. Priests continued to come once or twice a month from Staunton to celebrate Mass until the first resident pastor, the Reverend John Massey, was appointed in 1896.

The parish took the name Holy Comforter Catholic Church early in the twentieth century. A 1906 report in The Daily Progress called it "an ornament to the city." Trees, shrubbery, and a small fountain filled the courtyard between the church and the rectory, and parishioners gathered there for picnics and socials beneath Japanese lanterns. In 1919, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fortune Ryan of New York and Oak Ridge in Nelson County gave $30,000 to enlarge and modernize the church and provide a suitable rectory. The Ryans, who also financed Richmond's Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, left a lasting mark on the parish.

The old Holy Comforter was demolished in 1924 and construction on its replacement began the following year. The architect, S. J. Makielski, AIA, was an assistant professor of art and architecture at the University of Virginia, and he drew inspiration from the Sant' Andrea in Mantua, the early Renaissance church designed by Leon Battista Alberti. The Makielski family contributed more than plans: B. A. Makielski, the architect's brother, painted the Christ motif that still adorns the sanctuary. The high altar, imported from Italy, was donated by the Catholic Daughters, and two side altars were purchased with a $10,000 bequest from John Conlon, a bachelor tailor. One of those side altars now serves as the main altar; the other was reconfigured into the ambo. The new building was dedicated in May 1925.

The ties between the downtown parish and the University of Virginia grew steadily through the 1930s. By that decade Holy Comforter had more than 250 parishioners, many of them University students and professors. The parish music director, H. R. Pratt, taught music at the University, and Father John J. Brochtrup, the pastor, persuaded Bishop Andrew J. Brennan to purchase a new organ despite the Depression. The Austin organ, Opus 1820, was installed by April 1932 and is still in use. The Newman Club for Catholic students at the University was founded from Holy Comforter in 1947 under the Reverend Francis J. Blakely and later grew into St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

In the early 1950s the diocese purchased a small Christian chapel on Concord Avenue and Foster Street. Under the guidance of the Reverend Raymond Schantz it was renovated as St. Margaret Mary Church, the worship center for Black Catholics in Charlottesville. After Bishop John Russell moved to integrate Catholic parishes in the late 1960s, St. Margaret Mary's members joined Holy Comforter in 1968, and the chapel property was converted into the St. Margaret Mary Apartments, owned by the Holy Comforter Low-Cost Housing Corporation, with the first tenants taking occupancy in 1970.

Formal Catholic education at Holy Comforter began in 1951 with a kindergarten staffed by two Adrian Dominican sisters and grew through the 1950s, eventually producing the parish's Branchlands school and chapel. In 1976, when the Branchlands Catholic community spun off as the Church of the Incarnation, about 275 parishioners chose to stay with the downtown church. A centennial committee in 1978 shaped a major renovation, and a 1982 expansion designed by University of Virginia graduate and architect Jack Reinhart almost doubled the size of the main building. The parish reaffirmed its commitment to the downtown location and mission in 1990, and in 2006 launched a capital campaign that ultimately focused on deferred maintenance and a sizable donation to the sister parish in Haiti.

Approaching its 140th anniversary, the parish in 2017 launched Holy Comforter 2020, an initiative to renew the sanctuary, deepen spiritual practice, and strengthen community life. The sanctuary restoration was completed the following year, and the initiative continues to shape parish priorities.

A Sanctuary Shaped by Italian Renaissance Design

The 1925 sanctuary draws its proportions and details from Sant' Andrea in Mantua. The Christ motif above the altar was painted by B. A. Makielski, brother of the architect. The high altar was a gift of the Catholic Daughters, and the side altars donated through the John Conlon bequest were repositioned so that one now functions as the main altar and the other as the ambo.

The sanctuary is also home to the parish's long-running musical tradition. The Austin organ, Opus 1820, was built by Austin of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1932, with two manuals and ten ranks, a manual compass of 61 notes and a pedal compass of 32 notes. Wilhelmy of Staunton overhauled the instrument in 2005, adding a Trumpet 8' stop. The organ is currently in the care of Christopher Bono of Fishersville. The full stop list is available from the Music Ministry.

Mass Schedule and the Latin Mass

Holy Comforter celebrates Mass every day of the week. Sunday Masses are offered at 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 2:00 PM. The 2:00 PM Mass is celebrated in Latin, a regular weekly offering that distinguishes the parish in central Virginia. The Saturday Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5:00 PM on Saturdays.

Weekday Masses follow a varied schedule. Mass is offered at 8:00 AM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays; at 12:00 PM on Mondays and Fridays; and at 6:00 PM on Thursdays, followed by Vespers and Eucharistic Adoration. Several weekdays also include an additional morning Mass. The weekday schedule is subject to change.

Confessions are heard by Fr. Joseph Mary on Sundays from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM; on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM; and on Thursdays from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Confessions are also available by appointment through the parish office.

Eucharistic Adoration

The parish offers three regular weekly periods of Eucharistic Adoration. On Wednesdays Adoration runs from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. On Thursdays Adoration follows Vespers from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. On Fridays Adoration follows the noon Mass and continues from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM.

The Music Ministry

The music ministry at Holy Comforter takes its bearings from the Second Vatican Council's call for a renewal in music that respects the Church's "inestimable treasure" of two thousand years. Repertoire ranges from Gregorian Chant to twentieth-century hymns, motets, and Mass settings that reflect the dignity and solemnity of the liturgy.

The parish choir sings at the 11:00 AM Mass and rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM. Its repertoire includes psalms, hymns, and motets ranging from medieval to contemporary. Music-reading ability is preferred but not required. The choir is especially in need of new members, particularly women.

Cantors lead the congregation at the Saturday 5:00 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM Masses, singing the Responsorial Psalm, the Gospel acclamation, and the antiphons of the Mass. Rehearsals are scheduled with the music director as needed. The parish is particularly in need of cantors for the Sunday 8:30 AM Mass.

The Schola Cantorum sings for the Sunday afternoon Latin Mass and on certain feast days. The men chant the Propers on the second and fourth Sundays of each month; the women sing the Ordinary and hymns or polyphonic motets on the first and fourth Sundays. Rehearsals are held on Mondays at 5:15 PM for children, 6:00 PM for ladies, and 7:00 PM for men. The Music Coordinator, Querida Hills, welcomes inquiries from anyone interested in any of the ensembles.

Becoming Catholic and Christian Formation

Adults who wish to join the Catholic Church are welcomed through the parish's Becoming Catholic program, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Inquiries begin with the Director of Religious Education, Melinda Wells. The parish also offers adult education opportunities in faith and catechesis, with information about specific sessions posted in the bulletin.

Children's Formation at Holy Comforter serves students from kindergarten through high school. Classes are organized by grade bands: Grades K-1, Grades 2 (First Sacraments), Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6, Middle School, and High School, plus a separate Confirmation track. Children's and High School classes meet on Sundays from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM. Registration forms for the 2026-2027 year are available online, and a separate Sacramental Preparation Registration Form is offered for First Holy Communion and First Confession, including a form specifically for homeschooled students.

The Youth Ministry invites all high school students to participate. The Youth Group meets on Friday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, with social time, games, spaghetti dinners, catechesis, and service opportunities throughout the year. The parish welcomes additional adults to the Core Team to help the youth leaders facilitate the program.

That Man Is You, a men's apostolate, is among the small-group programs offered for adults.

The Parish Schools

Holy Comforter is the home parish of Charlottesville Catholic School, a nationally recognized school offering pre-kindergarten through middle school, welcoming to all faiths. The school is a regional Catholic school under the auspices of the Diocese of Richmond, serving families in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of central Virginia. Standardized test scores rank among the highest in the country, and the school was named a Blue Ribbon School in 2014.

Chesterton Academy of Saint John the Evangelist is the parish's high school, offering a classical, Catholic curriculum in the Chesterton tradition.

The Regina Caeli Homeschool Co-Op is another educational resource associated with the parish, providing classical, Catholic home education in a co-operative setting.

Sacraments at Holy Comforter

Baptism is described in the parish's own words using the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments." Families begin the process by contacting the Director of Religious Education, who provides the forms for the Parish Register and schedules a Baptism preparation class when needed. Once forms are complete, the family meets with Fr. Joseph Mary to confirm the date. Baptisms can be celebrated on any day of the week, pending the church schedule and availability of the pastor. Adults seeking Baptism are invited to inquire about the RCIA program.

Matrimony is treated with the seriousness due to a vocation and a sacrament. All marriage preparation begins with an in-person interview with Fr. Joseph Mary, scheduled at least six months in advance. The engaged couple must also attend an Engaged Encounter weekend or other suitable Pre-Cana event organized by their diocese. Required documents must be submitted at least two months before the wedding. Weddings traditionally take place on Saturdays between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM; other days and times require the pastor's approval. The Sanctuary seats up to 250 guests. A unity candle is not a part of the Sacrament of Matrimony at Holy Comforter, and couples are asked to save that custom for the reception. The parish's Music Director, Querida Hills, works with couples to plan music, including the option of a guest musician, cantor, or choir. Catholic participants are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the wedding Mass.

Anointing of the Sick is available by contacting the parish office or calling (434) 295-7185. There is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the sacrament; a careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient. The sacrament can be received more than once if the illness worsens.

Funerals follow the Order of Christian Funerals. The Vigil Service usually takes place at the funeral home during visitation. The Funeral Liturgy, with the Funeral Mass as its central celebration, is the principal liturgical act. The Rite of Committal concludes the funeral rite at the place of burial or interment. After a family contacts a funeral home, they notify the parish office, which then connects them with Fr. Joseph Mary, a Works of Mercy ministry member, and the music director to plan the liturgy. The parish provides Through Death to Life by Joseph M. Champlin as a step-by-step guide, and parishioners are encouraged to pre-plan their own funeral Mass beginning around age 50 or when preparing a last will and testament. Mass intentions for deceased loved ones may also be requested for those not planning a funeral at Holy Comforter.

Holy Orders: men discerning priesthood or the permanent diaconate are referred to the Richmond Diocese Office of Vocations.

Certificates and sacramental letters are coordinated by Mel Crews and typically processed within five to ten business days of the first contact.

Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen on Third Street

Both the Food Pantry and the Soup Kitchen operate from the Third Street NE side of Holy Comforter Catholic Church.

The Food Pantry is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. It distributes an average of 350 pantry bags each month, providing meat, canned goods, produce, bread, and bakery items to area families in need. Donations come from St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Food Lion, Kroger, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, and food drives from area organizations. The pantry also distributes USDA commodities.

The Soup Kitchen serves a hot lunch on Thursdays from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Volunteers gather at about 10:00 AM to prepare a main dish, soup, sandwiches, salads, and desserts for more than 100 recipients. The Soup Kitchen has been serving lunch for more than twenty-five years, in partnership with Congregation Beth Israel, the Sons of Widows Masonic Lodge, and many other community supporters. Holy Comforter is one of five area churches and organizations that together provide a full lunch to people in need in downtown Charlottesville.

Volunteers and donors are invited to contact Outreach Coordinator Bridget Davis.

The Haiti Partnership in Saltadère

Holy Comforter maintains a long-standing sister-parish relationship with St. Michel in Saltadère, Haiti. The parish's Haiti Ministry supports the school at St. Michel's through a Child Sponsorship program; for $12 a month, sponsors cover basic supplies, clothes, teacher pay, and school lunch for a child. Sponsors can exchange letters (in French) with their student and learn about the child's life in Haiti.

Building the new school building at St. Michel's remains one of the highest priorities. Inquiries can be directed to Tricia Jenkins or Laurie Duncan.

Walking with Moms in Need

Walking with Moms in Need is Holy Comforter's response to the USCCB's nationwide initiative to support pregnant and parenting mothers in difficult or crisis pregnancies. The parish refers women to LifeSpring, a Christian 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on the needs of pregnant women in central Virginia, which offers pregnancy testing, ultrasound services, parenting education, and adoption referrals. Dads are welcomed through LifeSpring's Strong Dad program.

The parish has also partnered with the Abortion Pill Reversal Network to make reversal assistance available to women who have taken the abortion pill and wish to reconsider. After a year-long process in 2025 to assess community resources for pregnant mothers, the parish continues to develop its ministry, including a planned "Gabriel Angel" role to provide friendship, advice, and support to mothers on their journey into parenthood. Garrett Smith coordinates the ministry.

IMPACT and Pro-Life Action

IMPACT is Holy Comforter's parish-based effort to engage the broader community in the work of peace and justice. The team holds annual listening sessions after the Vigil and Sunday morning Masses, gathering input from parishioners about local needs and concerns.

The parish is also active in pro-life work, including the Walk for Neighbors in Need, a community fundraising walk held in collaboration with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Holy Trinity Conference.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Holy Trinity Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates under the umbrella of Holy Comforter's social ministries, providing direct assistance to neighbors in need in the Charlottesville area.

Works of Mercy Ministry

The Works of Mercy Ministry visits and prays for the ill, recovering, and homebound of the parish, strengthening the community through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The ministry also coordinates practical help for parishioners who need assistance with errands such as grocery pickup during times of illness or vulnerability. To request a visit from a priest, parishioners are asked to call the parish office.

Altar Servers, Lectors, Ushers, and Sacristans

Children who have received their First Communion are eligible to serve at the altar. Training is required, and both one-on-one coaching and group refresher courses are offered. While altar servers are typically young people, the duties of an acolyte can be performed by anyone of any age, and the parish welcomes adults to serve at the Saturday 5:00 PM Mass. The parish also calls lectors, ushers, sacristans, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, homebound Eucharistic ministers, and the Altar Flower Guild to serve in the liturgical life of the parish.

Parish Life and Stewardship

The Pastoral Council serves as a consultative body to the pastor, with nine at-large members elected for three-year terms. Three members are elected each year. The Council meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Bernard Moore Room in the church basement, and meetings are open to all parishioners. The current chair is Maria-Andrea Gerling Ospina. The Finance Council is chaired by Greg Krutul.

The parish Stewardship program invites parishioners to share time, talent, and treasure. Online giving is available through the parish's secure online giving portal, with options for recurring or one-time gifts for the offertory, parish ministries, and diocesan and national collections. Stock donations can be sent through the Depository Trust Company to Charles Schwab. The parish also supports IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions and has partnered with FreeWill and the Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Richmond to assist parishioners with free estate planning.

Intergenerational events throughout the year bring the parish together for the All Saints Pageant and Potluck, St. Nicholas Night, the Epiphany Celebration and chalk marking, the Children's Stations of the Cross and Soup Supper, the May Crowning, the Pentecost Feast Day, Marian and Corpus Christi Processions, and parish picnics.

Parish Staff and Leadership

Holy Comforter is served by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Lukyamuzi, Pastor. The parish staff includes Mary Frances Lilly as Administrative Business Manager; Mel Crews as Receptionist and Office Assistant; Christopher Gilbert as Liturgy Coordinator; Melinda Wells as Director of Religious Education; Querida Hills as Music Coordinator; and Outreach Coordinators Bridget Davis, Jack Engler, and Heather Burns. Ministry and committee chairs lead the work of Music Ministry, Altar Servers, Lectors, Sacristans, Ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, the Altar Flower Guild, Children Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation, High School Youth Ministry, Adult Initiation, That Man Is You, the Finance Council, Offertory Counters, the Pastoral Council, Social Ministries, the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry, Walking with Moms in Need, the Uganda Ministry, the Haiti Ministry, the SVdP Holy Trinity Conference, Knights of Columbus Council 3670, Parish Community Life, and Building and Grounds.

Visiting Holy Comforter

The parish welcomes any and all to join in worship daily, weekly, when passing through town, or in exploring Catholicism. The church is located in the historic downtown, and finding parking may be difficult; visitors are encouraged to leave extra time. There is one parking space behind the church reserved for a visiting priest or deacon. Reserved parking spaces on nearby streets can be applied for through the City of Charlottesville for a fee.

Visitors who would like to become part of the parish are invited to register using the parish registration form, available online or from the office receptionist. Those interested in joining the Catholic faith are invited to contact the Director of Religious Education for information about adult or child Christian Formation programs.

The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and can be reached at (434) 295-7185 or by fax at (434) 220-1464. The mailing address is Catholic Church of the Holy Comforter, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Holy Comforter sends weekly pulpit announcements through Flocknote and maintains a presence on Facebook, where photos and announcements are shared. The weekly bulletin is published online.

Holy Comforter Catholic Church sits at the center of its downtown neighborhood: a parish with deep roots, a daily rhythm of Mass and Adoration, a Latin Mass that keeps a treasured form of the Roman liturgy alive, a flourishing music program built around a nearly century-old organ, two parish schools, a Regina Caeli homeschool co-op, and a third-of-a-century commitment to feeding the hungry and walking with mothers in need, in Charlottesville and in Saltadère.