A Country Church Turns 75

Sts. Mary and Edward, Roxboro

Roxboro’s Catholic community predates the 1935 parish founding. In the 1920’s, Roxboro Catholics were served by priests from St. Paul Church in Henderson, who celebrated Mass in the dining rooms and parlors of private homes.

In 1934, Father Eugene Carroll, pastor of St. Paul, borrowed $900 from the Diocese of Raleigh to buy land for a church in Roxboro. George Kane, a local contractor, donated the labor; Mary Hyde, at the urging of her brother, Edward Kelly of Brooklyn, NY, donated $6000 for materials. In 1935, Bishop William J. Hafey dedicated the new church, named for the patron saints of its benefactors.

The mission church had 25 members, mostly families who had come from Pennsylvania to work with Collins and Aikman Corporation, a manufacturer of automotive components. But during World War II the church was often filled to capacity by Catholic soldiers of the 78^th Infantry Division at Camp Butner.

A memoir written by parishioner “Bo” Currier recalls the mission’s early days: “Our mission was truly rural. One Sunday morning as Father was presenting his sermon. Mr. Dilly Walker’s mule wandered into the church yard and poked his head into an open window, much to the dismay of Mrs. Kane, the organist, and to the delight of the children.”

For decades, Sts. Mary and Edward was served by various priests from neighboring parishes. In 1967, however, additional property was purchased and its structures renovated for a rectory and parish hall; that year Bishop Vincent S. Waters raised the mission to the status of a parish. In 1969, Father John Paro of the Society of St. Edmund became the first resident pastor, and the first of four Edmundite priests who served the parish until 1982.

Sts. Mary and Edward has grown over the years, but not as rapidly as some predicted. Today the parish counts around 400 registered families, half Anglo and half Latino, and the large territory it serves is still mostly rural, a place where neighbors know and help each other. Throughout its history, Saints Mary and Edward has been distinguished by its dedication to service.

Father William Rodriguez, a native of Colombia, has been Pastor for almost three years. His ministry requires much time on the road, visiting the sick in the healthcare centers near Durham, blessing homes and trailers, and facilitating the sacramental life of his diverse flock. He is proud that this year’s Confirmation class numbered 13. As with many multicultural parishes in North Carolina, one challenge is unity. “The day of my installation was very special,” Father Rodriguez says. “Everyone was here to share the occasion.” He hopes that the parish’s 75^th anniversary, on May 23^rd, 2010, will be another such celebration.