Fr. Mitchell J. Koprowski became pastor on April 24, 1947. In October 1949, St. Thomas became a mission parish of St.Mary's in Mullen. For many years, Mignon Hanks, Ethel Carter, and a Hispanic man remembered only by the name of "Frankie" were the only parishioners. They were later joined by members of the Dick Havermann family. The church began to flourish in the early 70's as several young families took up residence in the Thedford area.

The original St. Thomas Church was built of cement "bricks" manufactured just down the street from the church. The ceiling was stamped tin. The building was heated by an oil-burning stove. As the heat was only turned on for services, parishoners were very chilly at mass during the winter months. In the summer, there were plenty of flies, boxelder bugs and wasps to contend with.

In 1974, an addition was built on the church and remodeling was done to the existing structure. During the renovation, mass was held in the Winters Memorial Chapel at the cemetery.

A lovely parish hall was built adjacent to the church in 1992 with a main room which can accommodate about 100, a kitchen, restrooms, and three classrooms. The building is much-used by the parish and the community. In 1996, the church was re-sided to match the parish hall and because the original cement block was disintegrating.

Fr. Mike (Koprowski) retired in 1987 after serving the church for 40 years. At that time Fr. Bryan Ernst became St. Thomas' pastor and served until 1993, when he was transferred to Alliance. He was replaced by Fr. Lou Nollette, who served from 1993 until 2000. Fr. Jim Warner currently serves St. Thomas out of St. Mary's in Mullen.
(Submitted by Gail Johnston)