Rev. Msgr. Raymond A. Barton

Rev. Msgr. Raymond A. Barton of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Msgr. Barton was a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond, who pastored parishes throughout the diocese until his retirement in June 2011.

Msgr. Barton was preceded in death by his parents, James A. Barton and Catherine Devitt Barton; by his two sisters, Della B. Pestridge and June B. Farrar; and by his brother, James Lenwood Barton. He is survived by his sister, Therese Barton-Bayse, along with many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

Msgr. Barton was born and grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia. He graduated from Holy Cross School in 1958 and entered Saint Bernard Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama. To continue his college education, he was admitted to Mount Saint Mary's Seminary and University in Emmittsburg, Maryland, where he graduated and went on to earn two master's degrees. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 14, 1966.

As a young priest, Father Barton first was assigned to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, after which he served on the faculty of St. John Vianney High School Seminary in Richmond from 1968-1973. He then was appointed pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served from 1973-1977.

In 1977, Msgr. Barton, along with Episcopalian priest, The Rev. Donald A. Gross, became the first co-pastors of the Church of the Holy Apostles in Virginia Beach. Holy Apostles combines the liturgies of the Catholic Mass and Episcopalian Holy Eucharist into one service for inter-faith and single faith families. Holy Apostles is a symbol of ecumenism, a concept to which Msgr. Barton remained committed throughout his life.

On January 26, 1997, Father Barton was honored with the title "Monsignor" due to his years of dedicated service and many contributions to the Church. In 2006 he was appointed President of the Virginia Council of Churches, and that same year he received the Faith in Action Award from the Council.

Msgr. Barton served as pastor of Holy Comforter Parish in Charlottesville from 1989-1999, and as pastor of Saint Nicholas Parish in Virginia Beach from 1999 until his retirement in 2011. He will always remain in the hearts of his many friends and parishioners.

A visitation will take place in the Chapel at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., 2002 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach on Tuesday, September 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, 712 Little Neck Road, Virginia Beach on Wednesday, September 28 at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery on Bedford Avenue in Lynchburg, Virginia on Thursday, September 29 at 11:30 a.m. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.