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St. Thomas the Apostle
Church was founded as a Mission in 1903, to share the faith in the Arlington
area of Riverside. Our boundaries included the newly developed Indian School, today’s Sherman
Indian High School, in which 90% of it’s pupils were Catholic. The San Bernardino Diocese was called to
serve the growing areas of Riverside and San Bernardino counties and parish pioneers of St. Thomas
answered the call. |
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Throughout our history, St. Thomas the Apostle Church has been served by the Jesuits, Franciscans and
Diocesan priests, as well as several communities of religious women. Their parish has been blessed to
have one of the newly named American saints work within their community.
St. Katharine Drexel and her order, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament,
served the religious needs of the children at the Indian schools in the
Southwest. |
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In addition to their commitment of
service and faith, the parish history includes testimony to their pioneering strength and
fortitude. In 1903, their path began as Father O’Brien
celebrated his first Mass to a church packed with Indian
students using a kitchen table as an altar. |
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In the 1940’s, the parish experienced many changes as
the church filled with Army personnel during World War II. Father Edmund Krolicki of the
Conventual Franciscans, with the help of St. Thomas parishioner
volunteers, worked to build the first school buildings at
St. Thomas the Apostle.
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In the late 1950’s, St. Thomas faced more challenges when they lost their church to
an arson fire. That same commitment of service and faith would see them through
Mass being celebrated on the school patio and in the hall as the parish community
quickly united in the effort of rebuilding. |
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The new millennium has brought the parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle
great spiritual and structural growth, under the care and guidance
of their pastor, Fr. Joseph Felker. Since his arrival in 2000, the parish has enjoyed a renewed
sense of community as they join in the collaborative effort of renovating their parish
site. The Katharine Drexel
Ministry Center is a dream that has been actualized, the
“building” of the St. Thomas legacy for their next generation. |
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In honor of the heart felt work and commitment started so
long ago, our parish continues to illustrate what a church community should strive to be. Together, we are committed
in forming: a community of prayer, a place for families to be blessed, celebrate the sacraments and to provide a
place where God’s love is at work. We strive to be the body of Christ, a temple of living stones and an instrument
of grace in the world. In our journey as pilgrims through life, our church community
is dedicated to be that place; a place of Christ’s peace and justice, a school of the gospel for all to hear and
a sign of hope in the world. As St. Thomas the Apostle Church celebrates its centennial
history, we continue to focus on the blessings of our rich heritage. We eagerly celebrate our rich diversity,
collaborative spirit and vibrant enthusiasm, as we look forward with
great anticipation to the future in which the Spirit’s presence is
nourished in our lives.
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St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church was awarded "Best
Place to Worship" in Riverside, CA. in 2008-2009 and again
in 2009-2010. |
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