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About the Cathedral


The Cathedral of St. Thomas More is the Cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. St. Thomas More is also a vibrant multi-cultural parish with over 2,500 parishioners.The parish of St. Thomas More was founded in 1938. Parishioners attended Mass in what is today the St. Thomas More School gym until the original church was built in 1950, which served as the base for the new cathedral. Mass was celebrated in what is now Burke Hall until 1961 when the new church was built.  

The church was raised to the status of a cathedral in 1974 when the Diocese of Arlington was erected.  The cathedral is the “Mother Church of the diocese” hosting many diocesan activities and Masses drawing people from around Northern Virginia. Bishop Paul Loverde celebrates Sunday Mass frequently at the Cathedral. All are welcome to our church.

Thereis a free-standing bell tower, which was completed in 1982, on the South Lawnof the Cathedral, housing six bells cast in France by the Paccard Foundry. 

The Cathedral of St.Thomas More features one of the largest pipe organs in the Commonwealth of Virginia.