Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 03/16/2005
NRHP Listing Date 06/02/2005
NRHP Reference Number 05000525
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, an excellent example of Classical Revival-style architecture, is the work of German-trained architect Carl Ruehrmund, and is a centerpiece of the Newport News Downtown Historic District. It is home to the oldest Roman Catholic parish in the city of Newport News and was established in 1881 as a downtown mission, eventually opening two parochial schools that shaped leaders of the Catholic community. St. Vincent de Paul also is significant for its association with Thomas Fortune Ryan and his wife, Ida Mary Barry Ryan, who gave more than $20 million to Roman Catholic causes. The Ryans also donated buildings to St. Vincent de Paul (which have since been demolished) for its original convent and girls’ school. The church is also significant for its association with Father Lloyd Franklin Stephenson, the first African American pastor of the parish, who died in 2004. St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church continues today to serve a diverse community.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: March 15, 2023
