About Annunciation of the Lord · Monroeville, Alabama
Annunciation Catholic Church (also called Annunciation of the Lord or Annunciation Parish) is a small Roman Catholic parish serving Monroeville, Alabama — the seat of Monroe County in southwest Alabama — within the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mobile. Worshiping at 565 Whetstone Street, the parish gathers about 75 families for a steady rhythm of weekday and Sunday Masses, a weekly Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration, and the Sacraments. It also tends the nearby mission church of St. Joseph in Camden and acts as the closest Catholic presence for students of Coastal Alabama Community College.
- Established
- 1982
- Patron
- Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen Hellman
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mobile
Why belong here
Annunciation offers an unusually full schedule for a small-town parish — daily Mass Monday through Thursday, a Sunday morning Rosary, weekly Confession, and a Wednesday Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration followed by evening Mass. It is a tight-knit faith family of about 75 households that welcomes newcomers warmly, tends the mission church of St. Joseph in Camden, and is the nearest Catholic parish to Coastal Alabama Community College, with a special welcome extended to students and staff.
Mass times at Annunciation of the Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM (or by appointment)
- Wednesday: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 4:30 PM – 5:25 PM (Confessions available; Mass to follow)
History of Annunciation Parish
Catholic life in Monroeville stretches back to the late 1800s, when Mass was offered in private homes throughout the community. In the early 20th century those worshipers built a church on Claiborne Street, which served the parish for decades. The present church on Whetstone Street was built in 1982 under the leadership of pastor Fr. Albert Kelly and remains the home of Annunciation Parish today.
- Late 1800s — Mass first celebrated in private homes in Monroeville.
- Early 20th century — First parish church built on Claiborne Street.
- 1982 — Under Fr. Albert Kelly, the current Whetstone Street church was built.
- Today — About 75 families are served, with mission outreach to Camden and Coastal Alabama Community College.
Pastor and Parish Staff
Annunciation Parish is led by its current pastor, Reverend Stephen Hellman, with JoAnn Matheny serving as Church Secretary and parish administrator. Together they coordinate the parish's daily liturgical life, sacramental preparation, and outreach to the wider Monroe County community.
- Rev. Stephen Hellman — Pastor
- JoAnn Matheny — Church Secretary
- Parish Office: (251) 575-2644
- Secondary parish line: (251) 387-6279 (387-MARY)
Devotions and Prayer Life
The Holy Rosary is prayed each Sunday morning at 10:00 AM, just before the 10:45 AM Mass, with Confession also available during that time. The parish also marks Lent with the Stations of the Cross and observes Holy Week and Easter with a special schedule (such as Good Friday at 7:00 PM and Easter Sunday at 10:45 AM, as published in recent years).
- Holy Rosary — Sundays at 10:00 AM
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Holy Week and Easter services announced yearly
Sacraments
Annunciation prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic Sacraments, including Baptism, Marriage, the Eucharist (with First Communion preparation), Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick. Couples and families are asked to contact the parish office to begin sacramental preparation.
- Baptism
- Marriage (preparation required)
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Eucharist / First Communion
- Anointing of the Sick (by appointment)
Mission Church of St. Joseph, Camden
In addition to its home church in Monroeville, Annunciation Parish also serves the Mission Church of St. Joseph at 302 Whiskey Run Road in Camden, Alabama, extending Catholic ministry into the broader Monroe–Wilcox County area.
- St. Joseph Mission Church — 302 Whiskey Run Rd., Camden, AL
- Operated as a mission of Annunciation Parish, Monroeville
Outreach to Coastal Alabama Community College
Annunciation describes itself as the Catholic presence nearest Coastal Alabama Community College's Monroeville campus, and welcomes all students, faculty, and staff to take part in parish life, sacraments, fellowship, and service.
- Newman-style welcome to CACC students, faculty, and staff
- Opportunities to join for Sacraments, Fellowship, and Service
Visiting and Contacting the Parish
The parish is located at 565 Whetstone Street, Monroeville, AL 36460, about 0.6 mile off AL-21. The parish notes that its website is no longer actively maintained; the most reliable way to reach the office is by phone at (251) 575-2644 (with a secondary line at 251-387-6279 / 387-MARY).
- Address: 565 Whetstone Street, Monroeville, AL 36460
- Phone: (251) 575-2644
- Secondary line: (251) 387-6279 (387-MARY)
- Directions: From AL-21, turn onto Whetstone Street; church is 0.6 mile on the left
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Albert Kelly
Pastor who led the parish when the present Whetstone Street church was built in 1982.
- Rev. Stephen Hellman
Current pastor, leading the parish of roughly 75 families.