ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC Parish held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 25 for its planned $30-million sanctuary, a dream of the local Irvine parish for decades that will provide the congregation with a permanent worship space.
BISHOP KEVIN VANN BLESSES THE GROUNDS OF THE FUTURE SANCTUARY OF ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTO BY SCOTT SMELTZER/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
The event at the parish campus hosted Bishop Kevin Vann and Auxiliary Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen. The theme was “For Christ Always: Treasuring Our Past, Envisioning Our Future in Faith.” It included a blessing of the grounds, remarks from church leaders, prayers, a presentation of shovels, candle procession and music.
For nearly 20 years, St. Thomas More — which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year — has been using a parish hall for its Masses, ministries and other services. The new church building will provide a more pious, traditional Catholic worship space for the parish’s estimated 3,000 active registered families — an astounding 40% of whom have donated toward the campaign in raising $27 million.
INTERIOR RENDERING COURTESY OF NEXT ARCHITECTURE AND EVERGREENE ARCHITECTURAL ARTS
Construction of the 20,400-squarefoot church is anticipated to take 18 months and be finished by the end of 2027.
“We are feeling grateful and inspired,” said Fr. Eugene Lee, pastor of St. Thomas More since 2021. “The people of God have been truly inspiring and have really stepped up to this cause to build a house for our Lord. They have contributed in ways that I just never imagined we could do. It’s a testament of the community, their devoutness, and love for Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church.”
Dr. Huan Le, head of St. Thomas More’s groundbreaking committee, said he hopes the new church becomes a “spiritual anchor for every parishioner. We want all of us as parishioners to have a deep sense of belonging. This is a place where families can celebrate their milestones for generations to come.”
Lisa VanDorpe, chair of the capital campaign committee, noted how other churches are closing or consolidating, but St. Thomas More is blessed to be growing and building a new church.
EXTERIOR RENDERING COURTESY OF NEXT ARCHITECTURE AND EVERGREENE ARCHITECTURAL ARTS
“For those who are faithful and steadfast, now they’re seeing the fruits of their patience and faith that it would get built one day,” she said. “And finally, that day is here.”
The church exterior, conforming to Irvine Company standards and the look of the existing campus, will have Tuscany-inspired architecture. Inside, the sanctuary will seat 950 people (200 more than the parish hall) and puts the Holy Eucharist at the center behind the altar.
When the new sanctuary is completed, the current parish hall will be available for various activities, such as weddings, funerals, receptions, meetings and religious education classes.
St. Thomas More parish was founded in 1996 to serve a growing Catholic population in northern Irvine. It had its initial years in a middle school before moving in 2000 to a warehouse-like property on Remington in Irvine, where Our Lady of Peace Korean Catholic Center is now located. When its current property on Marketplace near Irvine Boulevard and Jamboree Road became available, the parish moved again and held its first Mass in the parish hall in late 2009. Soon thereafter, campaigns to build the permanent sanctuary began, but were delayed by church leadership changes and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This has not been just a construction project,” said Dr. Le. “This is the result of years of prayer and sacrifice. What we went through, it’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon.”
Added VanDorpe: “It was going to happen in God’s time. The patience has paid off, and it’s been very rewarding. We’ve done our best and will let God do the rest.”
NEW SANCTUARY DETAILS
■ St. Thomas More’s new sanctuary will be in the shape of a cross in a traditional cruciform style. It will contain two confessional rooms, a working sacristy, vesting room, storage space, restrooms, an A/V room and mechanical spaces.
■ A large mosaic of Christ the King will be centrally located behind the altar. It features Christ sitting on a throne.
■ There will be niches for devotion to St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary.
■ The tabernacle will be double sided. One side will be accessible and visible from the main section of the church, located behind the altar. The opposite side will be accessible from a walled off chapel behind the altar for private devotion.
■ The large crucifix will not be above the altar in the main sanctuary. Rather, it will be in a niche at one end of the transept. This allows parishioners closer access so they can touch it and light candles below it.
■ In the ceiling, where the nave and transept intersect, there will be a depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove with radiating light and flames.