ST. VINCENT DE PAUL PARISH HISTORY
The Catholic Parish of St. Vincent de Paul traces its roots back to January 23, 1961, when Vincent S. Waters, then Bishop of Raleigh, purchased eight acres of land on Old Reid Road for a Parish and a Parochial School. A gymnasium went up first, which would serve as a temporary chapel until the church and/or school could be built. Little did the church leaders suspect that the gymnasium would eventually become the church itself.
On October 29, 1961, Bishop Waters dedicated St. Vincent’s Mission, a mission church of St. Ann Parish. Several years later, on July 9, 1965, he proclaimed St. Vincent de Paul a parish in its own right. Fr. James Noonan became the first pastor. The parish purchased a home to serve as a rectory and office, and added a social hall to the church. The parish women formed the Women’s Guild, which throughout the years has helped fulfill many of the parish’s needs.
The parish’s growth continued. Fr. Noonan began a kindergarten in the social hall and the parishioners elected the first Parish council.
Msgr. John Rouche was appointed the second pastor and took over in August, 1971. He added the Saturday evening Mass, and the parish began sponsoring the Girl Scouts under his leadership.
Next, the parish welcomed Fr. Vincent Stokes, in February 1973. During his years, the parish added a new wing to provide additional seating for Mass, as well as class and meeting rooms, a nursery, and a religious education office. His years also saw the establishment of the Craft Group and the chartering of a Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop.
In May 1975, Fr. Joseph Waters became St. Vincent’s fourth pastor. During his tenure, a group of parishioners formed the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which had long been the pastor’s dream. Also at this time, St. Vincent received equal representation in the reorganization of the
St. Ann School board, reflecting the number of St. Vincent parishioners who attended that school.
St. Vincent’s fifth pastor, Msgr. William Wellein, came in August 1977. His years saw a number of physical improvements to the church, including the completion of the rectory office building. Also, St. Vincent began participating with other area churches in joint Thanksgiving and Lenten services, and the semi-annual Rosary Rally took root.
After Msgr. Felix Kelaher became pastor in September 1984, Knights of Columbus Council 9560, Visitation Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul Preschool, and Adult Initiation classes began. Under his direction, the parish organized a committee to plan a new church complex.
When Msgr. Pharr took over in June 1991, he guided the parish through a three-phase building plan: parking and landscaping, education and activity wings, and renovation of the existing church.
As work began on the church, parishioners moved in to the activity center for Masses. A year and a half later, on February 27, 1999, Bishop William Curlin celebrated a joyful Dedication Mass.
Msgr. Pharr also introduced the youth-oriented Mass, ACES for senior citizens, and the parish picnic. When Msgr. Pharr retired, the parish dedicated the activity center in his honor.
In July 2001, Fr. Mark Lamprich followed as the parish’s eighth pastor. He saw the parish through the purchase of two neighborhood homes. Two years later, Fr. Mark Lawlor came to St. Vincent. He added the Mass in Spanish on Sundays, and also oversaw the purchase of another area home. Also, the parish welcomed the Blessed Teresa Memorial and the columbarium. In Ministry Center and Chapel were dedicated in August, 2014.
Fr. Joshua A. Voitus has served as pastor since July of 2017. Since that time Confessions are offered six days a week. Church has gone through a major renovation in the summer of 2024 thanks to the generosity of the faithful parishioners.
