Saint Thomas Chapel

Saint Thomas Chapel 

St. Thomas the Apostle was constructed in 1846, and was the first Catholic church in Wilmington.  Over the decades the Catholic parish grew.  In 1905 due to overcrowding of the congregation, plans were begun to erect a new "Pro-Cathedral" a few blocks away. 

Construction of a new church began in 1908.  Designed by the Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino and built on the plan of a Latin cross in the Spanish Baroque style, the church is constructed of brick and tile with no steel, wood, or nails used in the structure.  Consecration was attended by Cardinal Gibbons in 1912.

St. Thomas the Apostle Church was to be demolished, but was instead purchased in 1911 for $12,000 by Mother Katherine Drexel, Mother Superior of the Blessed Sacrament Sisters, for use by black Catholics in Wilmington.  In 1966, St. Thomas suffered from a devatating fire, and the two parishes merged.

St. Thomas the Apostle was deconsecrated in 1979 and is now St. Thomas Preservation Hall and Cultural Arts Center.

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