St. Thomas' Church was organized and incorporated on June 11, 1872 with the Rev. Walter Sterling, as President of the Board of Trustees.
St. Thomas' Church which had it's modest beginnings in the Little Pink House as "The Cooper Avenue Mission" began to lay the foundation for a very rich heritage. In July 1892, St. Thomas became a Parish, and the Rev. Dr. James Clarence Jones became the first Rector after having served as Minister-in-Charge for three years.
In 1899, the Rev. Dr. James Townsend Russell became the second rector. As the parish continued to flourish, a parish house was built. The activities soon outgrew the structure and the need for a new building arose. The present parish house, completed on November 1904, is the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Russell's tenure as Rector.
The Rev. Dr. Duncan M. Genns was installed as the third Rector in 1905. He served with distinction for 42 years. Among the many accomplishments during his tenure was the construction of the current church building completed in 1915.
The next rector of St. Thomas' was the Rev. A. Godfrey Lund Jr. who served from 1947 to 1950. He is remembered for his inspiring sermons. He was succeeded by the Rev. Leonard B. Rasmusson whose fruitful pastorate was cut short due to failing health. In May 1963, the Rev. J. Jay Johnson was inducted as the sixth Rector. He served with distinction for twelve years.
On June 20, 1976, after serving one year as Locum Tenens the Rev. Michael W. H. Harris was chosen as the seventh Rector. Father Harris was very involved in the revitalization of St. Thomas' and the Bushwick Community. One of the hallmarks was St. Thomas' sponsoring of senior citizen housing named in honor of the Rev. Duncan McPherson Genns. St. Thomas also provided space for a headstart program and an accredited grammar school, Mt. Roraima. In 1994, after 19 years service to the parish and the community, the Venerable Michael W. H. Harris, Archdeacon of Brooklyn resigned his cure at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
Father Rene Rory John was installed as the eighth Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Saturday, December 17, 1994. Father John is a graduate of Codrington College and the University of the West Indies. He was ordained in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago where he ministered for 6 years before migrating to New York.
With vigor and dedication the Very Rev. Fr. Rene Rory John has led St. Thomas into the 21st century, and once more this historic parish is revitalized. He served on many Diocesan Committees and was active in the Bushwick community as well as the city at large. He was the Dean of St. Matthew's Deanery in the Diocese of Long Island. Father John is an avid traveler and has conducted several pilgrimages with his congregation which represents 20 different countries.
As of January1, 2007 The Very Reverend René R. John was elected as Dean of the Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, New Jersey. He completed 12 years of service and dedication as Rector at St Thomas Episcopal Church.
In February, 2007, The Reverend Father Charles H. Holdbrooke was appointed Interim Priest at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. Father Holdbrooke is from the West region of Ghana. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1989. He is a Clinically Trained chaplain and a member of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. He is a Chaplain at the Bishop Henry B. Hucles Episcopal Nursing Home in Brooklyn.
Father Holdbrooke 's assignment comes at a time when, once again, St. Thomas' Parish must make important decisions about its future. St. Thomas' is faced with dwindling membership, an aging congregation, and the need for major repairs.
The congregation has embarked on a Capital Fund Campaign to raise $500.000. It was launched on August 5, 2007, and the target goal is 2012. UNITY has been chosen as the theme for this rally. At the second Congregational Meeting, descriptions of specific needs were distributed. Three groups--FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY--have been formed to carry out fund raising activities and Individual pledges have been solicited.
Organizations 1. Acolytes 2. Altar Guild 3. Brotherhood of St Andrew 4. Choir 5. Christian Education 6. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) 7. Lay Ministry 8. Rectors’ Guild 9. Ushers 10. Vestry 11. Youth Group 12. Rector's Guild
PROGRAMS 1.Adopt a Family 2.Church Garden 3.God’s Love We Deliver 4.International Students 5.Junior Ushers 6.Make a Difference Day 7.Mentoring Program 8.Observing Independence Days of 21 Countries represented in the parish 9.Prison Ministry 10.Scholarship Program 11.Steel Band 12.Toiletry Drive for Shelters 13.Truancy Prevention Program 14.Women’s Forum 15.Young Adults.
August 5, 2007 Three groups--FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY--have been formed to carry out fund raising activities and Individual pledges have been solicited.
