Spending a nice weekend in Williamsburg and we were very happy to find Saint Bede Catholic Church for Sunday Mass. The church is beautiful and we enjoyed the children's choir. Everyone was friendly. We're glad we have a welcoming church only a few minutes drive from our weekend accommodations. read more

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We were so disappointed in the first communion mass this year. The children were absolutely beautiful. They were patient and wonderful and the music was so nice. However the priest went off track with a walk down his memory lane , completely having nothing to do with the children and he talked on and on and on and on this guy loves the sound of his own voice. So sad. read more

Absolutely beautiful Church wonderful liturgy and welcoming community. I was in Williamsburg on vacation and went there for mass Saturday evening. I dropped my scarf in the parking lot and as it was special to me, I went back the next day and there it was neatly folded on the table in the vestibule. Three very kind people approach me to ask if they could help even if you're visiting not during mass times but just to say a prayer ,there's so much beauty to enhance your worship. read more

I've never seen a Catholic church quite like this one. It's huge, with a very high ceiling, it's round, and rather spartan-- no stained glass in the main part of the church. If I had not known otherwise, I'd have thought it was a Protestant church (e.g., Lutheran). There are a series of odd mosaics hung around the walls, each depicting several saints from different places and times standing next to each other in a field. It's a matter of personal taste, but I prefer more traditional Catholic churches with a cruciform floorplan and more ornate decor. We found the church while visiting the area, attending to the 5pm Sunday Mass. The music consisted of a small group of singers/ musicians with guitars, playing modern music. Again, I personally prefer more traditional music (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Stravinsky all wrote music for the Catholic Mass, and two of them were not even Catholic! --not to mention Gregorian chant, so the Church has centuries of the greatest music to choose from, in my view). Other reviewers have noted that at St Bede they do play traditional music at other Sunday services, however. The church was well attended and appears to be thriving, from my brief experience, which is why I gave it 4 stars. However, if I lived in the area I think I would gravitate more towards a smaller, more traditional-looking church, but everyone can decide for themselves! read more

At first I didn't feel like I was in a Catholic Church. I'm used to a more traditional church. However the mass was beautiful. The priest did a great homily and the music was beautiful. I highly recommend this church read more

I've read the other reviews and I can't help but see how 'all over the map' the reviews are. I am a parishioner and I love St Bedes. To some reviewers, it isn't conservative enough, to some it went too far reinforcing basic Catholic teaching that non Catholics should not present themselves for communion (nor should a lot of Catholics who ... for instance, only attend mass 2x a year). Sorry if that isn't 'welcoming', but we're all sinners and we all need to be better catechized. St Bedes is a great parish, it's beautiful, the staff is welcoming, and the music is incredible. read more

Father Keenly is extremely rude and unwelcoming. He was stern and yelled at my family for asking questions during a wedding rehearsal. I would not attend a church with him as a priest. This experience made me thankful I did not get married in the Catholic Church. read more

I have been a parishioner at Saint Bede since 2004 and though it is a large parish there are many welcoming individuals and families that make it feel like home. The church is large, accommodating over 1,000 at some points, and seating is in the round with the tabernacle off to the left side when you enter near the fount. It is very beautiful, with many areas of adoration around statues of Mary and Joseph, as well as, paintings of the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Additionally, the reservation chapel, where the tabernacle is located is quiet and a wonderful place for prayer and adoration. The music is beautiful with multiple choirs (i.e., children's, Scholara, adult, contemporary), pipe organ, piano, and bells (i.e., adult and children) and supplemented with a guide in the pews to assist you with the music and readings. The priests in the parish are amazingly spiritual and attentive. They are usually in the commons before and after each Mass to greet, pray over, or just to chat with. Confession times are available throughout the week and the atmosphere is always friendly and loving. The Parish has many wonderful service, fellowship, and educational opportunities. The community does wonderful outreach through the Williamsburg House of Mercy, food pantry, and homeless programs. These are located not at the main church, but in downtown Williamsburg and serves many people throughout the region. There are also many opportunities to be involved in fellowship opportunities with other men, women, single-parents, Knights of Columbus, or many other groups that meet weekly to offer you a way to interact with others to grow spiritually in your faith. Furthermore, there are multiple educational opportunities throughout the week in the morning and evening. Overall Saint Bede is a large parish with multiple individuals and families; however, if you want it to be it can be your home away from home. read more

St Bede is a very large church and serves several thousand families. Its campus is nice and the church and attached buildings are relatively new, attractive, and contemporary in architecture. We attend the Sunday 7:15am mass, and the folks in attendance this early tend to be a more mature group. Father French usually presides, and his homilies are famously to-the-point (i.e. short), but meaningful and sprinkled with humor. The 9am and 11am masses are usually filled with families...I guess that's standard for churches everywhere. I'd recommend getting there early or wearing comfortable shoes for the long walk from the outskirts of the parking lot. The 5pm mass has a contemporary rock band (of sorts), and is apparently popular with families and younger folks. The getting in and out situation is not bad. There is alternating merge for the multiple lanes of outbound cars, and the local cops direct traffic to keep folks moving. Oh! If you're late for mass, the ushers will ask you to wait by the baptismal font near the main doors until the gospel is over. Only then are you allowed to find a seat. Thankfully, we've always made it in time. read more

We attended St. Bede while on vacation for Christmas in Williamsburg. There were some definite pro's and con's should you decide to attend church: Pros- a very large space that's able to accommodate out of town guests and travelers. The church is quite pretty and overall the mass was quite nice. They spent more time on the interpretation than reading scripture, but many of his stories were touching. Cons- The priest specifically asked for non practicing roman Catholics to not receive communion which was for me slightly off-putting. He spoke about uniting the christian church and said he hopes someday it will come to be but it's not the way it is right now and to not accept communion here today if you aren't a practicing roman catholic. I felt if he was pro-uniting then why bother to specifically ban anyone and send the opposite message? While I grew up catholic it made me feel awkward and I had to explain to my protestant boyfriend that normally priests do not specifically say this. I'm sure he felt slightly uncomfortable too. Also, generally it's implied not to take communion if you aren't practicing and I believe most people know and follow this rule...I just felt it was a little unnecessary. The other MAJOR issue I had was that the incense was very very strong (much more so than any other church I've attended) and I'm an asthmatic so that part made it a little difficult for me to breath. read more

St. Bede is a large church but is run very well. The Mass was beautiful and the congregation welcoming as we were visiting. The pews are large and comfortable as well. read more

Visiting, trying to discern a move to the area and this was the big factor for a "no" decision. First it's in the round. Another Catholic church where you're not sure when you enter where they are hiding the tabernacle. Very welcoming. It felt like a party in the narthex. But I don't go to mass for a social experience. They have the "greet your neighbors glad-handing" to kick off the mass. The little show before the liturgy of the word with the kids and the deacon was funny and entertaining but, inappropriate. If you want to march them off for their own "service" don't interrupt the mass for it. The hand-holding and misguided orans posturing was pervasive. Lovely organ, performed beautifully. Sadly they used the piano during communion. Why is there a piano given the glorious pipe organ? I have never seen so many extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. It was a veritable army of them. Communion was a circus. Fortunately it was over quickly. Another church where reverence is a thing of the past and they seem fine with it. read more

We recently joined this parish and have really found it to be a home for us! There are many activities for all ages, reverence at Mass, and easy access to sacraments. We are very happy to have found it. read more

We moved to Williamsburg fairly recently and feel very fortunate to be able to attend Saint Bede Catholic Church. The clergy are very welcoming and provide an inspiring message. The beautiful music contributes greatly to the experience. The parishioners are friendly and very involved. There are many opportunities to grow in your faith. Whether you live in Williamsburg or are just visiting, I highly recommend attending Mass at Saint Bede. read more

St. Bede has a very inspired staff with Monsignor McCarron in the lead. The church has increased its care for the dignity of life: the unborn, the homeless in Williamsburg, aid to new families, the sick among many. The RCIA program with Monsignor McCarron speaking on the sacraments, the Bible studies, the youth program, the college programs at the College of William and Mary all keep the church growing and very vibrant. As any church, as much as one is involved, is how much the individual will receive. This church and this Monsignor have the love of Jesus Christ in the center of all things. I am most thankful that I have such a church and such a caring church family to be a part of. I am most thankful of all, that I have a guide such as Monsignor McCarron who has a depth of knowing God that very few ever attain. Linda Lee St Bede Member Williamsburg, VA read more

We have been going down to Williamsburg for several years, and one of the biggest attractions for us is St. Bede. We have been to every Catholic Church (Roman and Byzantine) in Williamsburg, and have enjoyed Mass at all (every Catholic of the Latin Rite owes him or her self the Byzantine experience). We have found that the great size of St. Bede shrinks considerably in light of its acceptance of newcomers. You are aware of the physical size of the Church, but the welcoming warmth of the parishioners gives it the feel of a smaller church. It is loaded with information about Catholic theology and principles and I highly recommend it for folks who would like to learn more about the Faith. We will be visiting again this year. read more

Saint Bede is a RC Church that serves WBurg and surrounding areas in so many ways. My parents have been members for 15 Years and are active in Outreach. As a large Parish with people in and out as both visitors and Parishioners alike , the church does well welcoming others. Monsignor is always full of presence and grace. We have a large family and visiting, we are usually welcome. We have a daughter with special needs and there is a great area to watch the mass in the Narthex. I did notice the other post about the Monsignor noting who was able to receive and we too have heard that. I too was surprised but also understand there are so many misconceptions regarding the Catholic Church. We as Catholics believe Jesus is present in body and blood in Communion. I believe he is noting it just for Awareness HOWEVER you can receive a blessing and my Littles do every time we attend. Keep up the good work. read more

First of all, this church is big. Really big. So big it had police officers directing traffic. We were visiting on a Sunday for the 11 AM Mass and I'd estimate there were at least 1200 people in attendance. A recent reviewer complained about too much incense; the priest and accolytes do use incense, but we were sitting about four pews from the front row and it was not a problem for us. The church has a HUGE pipe organ and we were treated to singing and bell ringing by a children's choir. Communion took awhile due to the crowds but it was well organized. Another reviewer whose review I read claimed to be offended by the priest asking non-practicing catholics to refrain from taking communion. I can only assume that particular reviewer does not attend Mass very often. It's typical in most parishes on those days when the CEO Catholics (Christmas/Easter/other holy days) show up to have the priest remind them and non-catholic guests that due to our belief in transubstantiation (meaning Jesus Christ is truly present in the communion), that it would be inappropriate for them to participate in the sacrificial rite. The priest did not make a similar announcement when we attended and we felt very welcome during the entire visit. The only downside to this church from my personal point of view is that it is round and you cannot always see what is going on (readings, etc) on the other side of the altar. Overall it was a really nice experience! read more

Msgr Keeney has been our pastor for nearly ten years, first in Bristol, Virginia and now in Williamsburg, Virginia. His homilies focus on giving practical relevance to the Liturgy of the Word and on encouraging each person to grow in their faith. It is refreshing and uplifting. The parish, although large, offers many opportunities to connect, interact, and grow in faith and express each person's God given gifts in small groups. It is a parish for lifelong Catholics, for those who are considering reconnecting with their Catholic faith and for those who are interested in experiencing a loving community of Christians for the first time. read more

As a new parishioner, I feel very lonely in this church. I don't expect a social club when I go to church, but here most of the "greeters" greet their friends. I have asked for information about clubs - there seem to be many - but they are not receptive to welcoming new members. Father seems warm but I have not heard him encourage parishioners to extend that warmth to newcomers or people who go to church alone every week. read more

I was very disappointed in the actions and tone that Monsignor Timothy Keeney, exhibited at my niece's wedding rehearsal over the Labor Day weekend. I have never in my life seen a Monsignor talk to the wedding party in such a rude tone. The bridesmaid asked a question and his response to her question was sharp and she stated that he didn't have to be so rude. He told her that "you are being rude and that I had just about enough of you!" That was his response. The parents and visitors were speechless. The rehearsal took only 30 minutes and their were no prior questions asked to provoke his response. In my opinion and having been raised catholic, practicing catholic and having been married in the catholic church I have never seen such a spectacle at a wedding rehearsal. On top of all this he request a letter of apology from my niece but in my opinion he should be apologizing to all of us. This is a beautiful church with a poor Shepherd. read more

Over the past 8 years, there has been a revolving door of priests. The common thread among all is to espouse their conservative viewpoint of the world. The church structure is modern, with poured concrete floors and an abundance of other hard surfaces. It is not a physically or emotionally comfortable space. There is an air of affectation and pretension among staff and members alike. The takeaway is that form is of greater value than sharing the message of God's love and caring for all. read more

Saint Bede Catholic Church our family's home! We have had the opportunity to attend Mass at several area parishes and choose to make the drive to Williamsburg because of the people at Saint Bede's! There are so many active ministries: Social Ministry literally feeding and clothing the homeless and anyone else who is having a hard time; a variety of Adult Bible studies and classes; a huge School of Religion and Youth Ministry; and many more! We look forward to the new pastor's vision and finding a ministry for each member of the family to participate in! This really is a place of prayer! read more