When the railroad reached Glastone in 1880, the Benedicitine priests serving Mandan, ND visited periodically to offer the Sacraments and instruction.  The first Mass was celebrated in the home of Peter Dassinger.  St. Thomas the Apostle Parish was formed around 1900 and celebrates 120 years in 2020.  From 1899 to 1947, the monks of Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND served the parish and then diocesan priests served St. Thomas until 1980, when the Benedictines returned.

The present church was built in 1973 and serves the parish well. St. Thomas has about 40 households with 60+ individuals. Like any smaller parish, the parishioners chip in to take care of things, especially hosting their famous Fall Breakfast (homemade farmer hats, homemade chokecherry syrup, scrambled eggs and homemade sausage patties), raffle and and St. Thomas Cemetery care.   

The Knights of Columbus Council and their counterpart, KCettes, along with the Parish Council work together in these endeavors.   Parish Circles help with funerals luncheons and monthly provide delicious coffee/rolls after Sunday Mass.

Recently, through the generosity of parishioners, stained glass windows were installed, walls insulated, repainted and stenciled, and a new altar, lectern and sanctuary were built.  We also enjoy a "new" Nativity from the former Sacred Heart Monastery in Richardton and the 50 year old chime system was replaced with a new computerized system.  These improvements help us celebrate our 120th anniversary as a parish.

The parishioners are proud of their beautiful little church and see to that the church is being properly maintained and cared for.  This nice little community of Catholics always comes to church early to spend time in prayer, meditation and reflecting on the readings.  They are good listeners and engaged in the Mass.  Like their patron, their doubts help lead them to deeper faith in Jesus Christ.

The pastor of St. Mary, Richardton, ND, serves St. Thomas and the baptismal, marriage, and death records are kept at St. Mary.

A book containing all the baptisms, marriages and deaths is available at the office at St. Mary, Richardton for $20.00 or through the mail for $23.00.  (Make checks payable to: St. Mary Parish.)   It also contains the same records of Sts. Mary (Richardton), Stephen (Stark County) and Philipp (Hirschville).