About Holy Redeemer by the Sea · Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
Holy Redeemer by the Sea is a Roman Catholic parish in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, serving the Outer Banks as part of the Diocese of Raleigh. Founded in 1929, the parish grew from a single Mass celebrated in the home of Helen Norbeck Lawrence on Bodie Island into the largest-summer parish in the diocese, now drawing thousands of worshippers seasonally. The current church in Kitty Hawk was dedicated in April 2001. The community is animated by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (O.S.F.S.) and is recognized for its diversity, welcome to visitors, and outreach to the wider Outer Banks.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- The Most Holy Redeemer (Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. John A. Hanley, O.S.F.S.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
Holy Redeemer by the Sea is a visible sign of the Roman Catholic Church in an area where Catholics are still a distinct minority, and it welcomes thousands of seasonal visitors alongside its resident flock each summer. Rooted in the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and staffed by Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (O.S.F.S.), the parish pairs reverent liturgy with an active social-outreach network — from the Beach Food Pantry and Ruthie's Community Kitchen to Room In The Inn and WaterLife Pregnancy Care Center. With a year-round faith-formation program, OCIA/RICA, weekly Bible studies, and dozens of ministries, it offers a meaningful Catholic home for residents, transplants, and beachgoers alike.
Mass times at Holy Redeemer by the Sea
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Holy Redeemer by the Sea, Kitty Hawk)
- Monday and Tuesday (times listed on Diocesan schedule — see Diocese of Raleigh parish page for specifics)
Adoration times
- Friday Adoration (time to be confirmed via Diocese of Raleigh parish page; the parish schedule notes 'Friday' under Adoration)
Parish History
Catholic worship on the Outer Banks began around 1929, when Helen Norbeck Lawrence welcomed Father Howard Lane from Elizabeth City into her Bodie Island home for the area's first Mass. From those humble beginnings the parish grew across more than 4,000 square miles, weathered the 1998 arson loss of its Kill Devil Hills church, and dedicated a new Kitty Hawk church in April 2001. The parish now numbers ~1,000 households year-round, swelling to thousands of weekend worshippers each summer.
- 1929 — first Mass in the Lawrence home on Bodie Island
- 1937 — Kill Devil Hills area church in use
- 1988–1999 — Pastor Father Terry Collins expands ministries
- June 1998 — arson destroys Kill Devil Hills church
- August 1998 — final liturgy at Kill Devil Hills site
- 1999–2003 — Pastor Father Michael Butler leads transition
- April 2001 — new Kitty Hawk church dedicated
Pastor's Welcome
Father John A. Hanley, O.S.F.S., and the parish community frame Holy Redeemer by the Sea as 'a visible sign of the Roman Catholic Church in an area where the Catholics are still a distinct minority.' The pastor's welcome emphasizes hospitality to resident Catholics and seasonal visitors alike and points newcomers to both the main Kitty Hawk church and the Holy Trinity by the Sea Mission in Nags Head.
Holy Trinity by the Sea Mission (Nags Head)
Holy Trinity by the Sea is the parish's mission church in Nags Head, NC, sharing clergy and faith-formation staff with Holy Redeemer by the Sea and hosting the bilingual vigil Mass on Holy Days of Obligation at 7:30 PM. The parish address for both sites is administered through the Kitty Hawk parish office.
Parish Staff & Administration
The parish is led by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Day-to-day operations are supported by an Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Business Manager, Financial Assistant, Bulletin Editor, Director of Faith Formation, and Custodian. Four deacons assist the priests in ministry.
- Pastor — Rev. John A. Hanley, O.S.F.S.
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Giovanny Hernan Muñoz Muñeton, O.S.F.S.
- Executive Assistant — Christine Flink
- Administrative Assistant — Wendy Flores Barrera ([email protected])
- Business Manager — Tim Gregory ([email protected])
- Financial Assistant — Jane Parker ([email protected])
- Bulletin Editor — Marian Sciacchitano ([email protected])
- Director of Faith Formation — Kerri Engley ([email protected])
- Custodian — Lizette Perez Sanchez
- Deacons — Hollowell, Hallatt, Mueller, Cooper
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is offered for children and adults. Sacramental preparation follows the Diocese of Raleigh's two-year requirement for Penance/First Communion and Confirmation; classes meet Sunday mornings after the 9:00 AM Mass. A Quinceañera Preparation Program is offered, and an Adult Faith Formation ministry coordinates ongoing study.
- Sacramental Preparation — two-year (Penance & First Communion; Confirmation)
- Quinceañera Preparation Program (recommended start at age 14)
- Adult Faith Formation Book Study — 'Forming Intentional Disciples'
- Little Rock Scripture Group — Wed 9:45–11:30 AM, Parish Hall
- Walking with Purpose — women's Bible study
OCIA / RCIA (Becoming Catholic)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) and RICA (Spanish) walk inquirers through Catholic teaching, prayer, and the Sacraments of Initiation. Contact Deacon Mark Mueller for OCIA ([email protected] / 757-746-4782) or Fr. Giovanny Muñoz for RICA ([email protected] / 252-261-4700).
Social Outreach & Charity
The parish puts the Corporal Works of Mercy into practice through an extensive outreach network serving the Outer Banks. Volunteers can give one hour or several days on a periodic basis; parishioners are scheduled at the Beach Food Pantry every six weeks, and the Crafty Ladies/Prayer Shawl Ministry meets weekly on Tuesdays.
- Beach Food Pantry
- Interfaith Community Outreach (ICO)
- Crafty Ladies / Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Ruthie's Community Kitchen (Tuesdays ~40–50 guests)
- Room In The Inn (winter shelter for the homeless)
- WaterLife Pregnancy Care Center
- Thanksgiving Outreach Ministry
- Outer Banks Dementia Friendly Coalition
- Red Cross Blood Drive
- Respect Life
- Widows and Widowers Luncheon (third Thursday)
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish gathers for the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 PM on Sundays and participates in the Coast to Coast Rosary. The Peace Garden on the church grounds is anchored by a Peace Pole inscribed 'May peace prevail on earth,' offering a quiet space for meditation on peace and nonviolence.
- Divine Mercy Chaplet — Sundays 3:00 PM
- Coast to Coast Rosary
- Peace Garden & Peace Pole
- Communion Service — Thursdays/Fridays 9:00 AM
Contact & Visit Us
Parish offices are at 301 W. Kitty Hawk Road (Mailing: PO Box 510, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949), phone (252) 261-4700, fax (252) 261-1405, email [email protected]. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed most Wednesdays from 12:30 PM for staff meeting) and Friday until noon. Kitty Hawk Road intersects US 158 by-pass at MP 4.2 across from the Post Office; the 7-Eleven at US 158 and Kitty Hawk Road is a useful landmark.
- Physical: 301 W. Kitty Hawk Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
- Mailing: PO Box 510, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
- Phone: (252) 261-4700 | Fax: (252) 261-1405
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Howard Lanefrom 1929
Traveled from Elizabeth City to Bodie Island monthly to say Mass in the Lawrence home
- Father Terry Collins1988–1999
Encouraged bilingual Masses and ministries for the growing Hispanic community
- Father Michael Butler1999–2003
Oversaw the April 2001 dedication of the new Kitty Hawk church