1955 St. Ann Church Dedicated

Saint Ann with Mary
 

Parish Administration  Building - former Rectory

Bell tower

Worship Center Entrance

St. Ann Church was originally established by families of Bohemian heritage. It had it's beginnings on a small plot of donated land on Beechwood Avenue off Harrowgate Road in Chesterfield County. That plot is now the site of the church cemetery.

The small chapel that was built there in 1925 was under the direction of Father John Konieck and later Father Leopald Stefl, both of whom also had charge of Sacred Heart Parish, New Bohemia and Saint John in Dinwiddie. When the new chapel was dedicated, thirty families comprised the membership. In 1940, Rev. Stephen Strahulek, O.S.B., succeeded Fr. Stefl and was assisted by the Benedictine Fathers of Richmond in tending the three parishes. In 1954 it was decided that, rather than make an addition to the chapel, a new church should be built in a better location. To accommodate the fast-growing congregation, the present site on Jefferson Davis Highway was chosen and the new church was dedicated on October 9, 1955. The nucleus of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes began in 1958 under the direction of Fr. Prochazka with the help of the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart, who were pioneers in organizing and supervising religious programs. It became evident that more space was needed for Religious Education and in 1968 a specially designed building was constructed under the pastorate of Rev. Michael McDermott. In 1969 the Felician Sisters from Claremont came to assist with the teaching of elementary grades. In 1969 Rev. William F. Ruehl became pastor. During his pastorate the construction of the new rectory and the paving of the church parking area were accomplished. Reverend Andrew Krafcik succeeded Fr. Ruehl as pastor and served until 1978. The Religious Education needs were growing along with the parish, and Mrs. Jean Beach was hired as M.R.E. to direct the programs at Saint Ann. In June of 1978, Rev. Julian B. Goodman became the pastor and was assisted by Rev. William D. McGonigle as Associate Pastor. Once again, the growth of the community called for the development of expanded facilities.

During Fr. Goodman's tenure, plans were developed for a new worship center and a building fund was established to begin raising funds for the construction. In October of 1986, Rev. Dennis P. Murphy became pastor and remained through May of 1988. During that time, a new residence was acquired for the priest and the rectory at St. Ann was renovated into the office space that is now our Administration Building.

Rev. William F. Condon became pastor at St. Ann in 1988. Under his leadership, the building fund was further developed and the new Worship Center was actualized. The existing church building was converted into our parish hall. The hall serves as a community gathering and fellowship space and was dedicated and named in honor of Fr. Condon.  It was during Fr. Bill's time here that Mary Ellen Winkler was hired in 1995 as DRE to oversee the parish Christian Formation Ministry.

Rev. Monsignor Robert M. Perkins, came to Saint Ann in June of 1997 and was pastor at Saint Ann until 2001. 

In 2000, Fr. Bob issued a call to the community to form a committee to provide a vision for the future of St. Ann Cemetery. A group of dedicated parishioners under his leadership developed and implemented plans for the now beautiful, quiet cemetery that consists of an old section and a new section with a columbarium centered among 112 gravesites.  Located on Beechwood Avenue in Chester, it has now become a place for prayer and All Soul's Day Masses.  It was Msgr. Bob who was responsible for the hiring of our first Pastoral Associate, Sr. Ann Daniel Belmonte.

Rev. James M. Cowles served as pastor from June 2001 - June 2006.   It was under Fr. Jim that the purchase of the columbarium was completed and it was dedicated at the cemetery.  During Fr. Jim's pastorship, the food pantry was moved from the old church building into the garage behind the Administration Building.  It became a larger outreach center with many volunteers from different denominations and was named "Our Daily Bread Food Pantry".  In 2004, the first Minister of Worship for Saint Ann Parish was hired.  Catherine Combier-Donovan now serves at the Diocese as the Director of the Office of Worship.

Our current pastor is Rev. Lou Ruoff who was assigned to Saint Ann in June of 2006.