About Immaculate Conception · Raymond, Mississippi
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Raymond, Mississippi is a historic mission church of the Diocese of Jackson, originally built in 1885 by the Catholic community of the small Hinds County town. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the modest frame church (25 × 40 feet) was erected by contractor Russell Patrick of Vicksburg under the direction of Reverend Paul Korstenbroek, pastor of Greenville, and dedicated on September 6, 1885 by Bishop Francis Janssens of Natchez as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (renamed Immaculate Conception in 1923). Since 1966 it has served as a mission of Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton, where Sunday Mass is currently celebrated at 8:30 a.m.
- Established
- 1885
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception (originally dedicated as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1885–1923)
- Rector
- Reverend Lincoln Dall (Pastor of sponsoring parish Holy Savior Catholic Church, Clinton, MS)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jackson
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers a small, intimate setting for Sunday worship in a 1885 historic church on Raymond's National Register–listed Main Street, ideal for Catholics who prefer a tight-knit mission community over a large parish. As a mission of Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton, it benefits from the pastoral care of Reverend Lincoln Dall and the broader diocesan community, while preserving the quiet, historic character of nineteenth-century Mississippi Catholic life. It is a living piece of local history—anyone who attends also helps sustain one of Raymond's most architecturally distinctive buildings.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Confession is handled by Holy Savior Catholic Church, Clinton (call (601) 924-6344 for the current schedule)
Adoration times
- Adoration and Benediction at Holy Savior, Clinton: 1st Wednesday of the Month, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
History of Immaculate Conception Mission
Immaculate Conception traces its origins to the early 1870s, when the small Catholic population of Raymond worshipped in private homes, served irregularly by priests from Natchez, Woodville, Port Gibson, and Vicksburg. Bishop Francis Janssens purchased the East Main Street property from C. R. Robinson on December 1, 1883, launching a fourteen-year effort that culminated in the 1885 construction of a modest 25 × 40-foot frame church. Reverend Paul Korstenbroek, pastor of Greenville, oversaw the building, which was dedicated by Bishop Janssens on September 6, 1885 under the name Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The church was renamed Immaculate Conception in 1923. From 1928 to 1996 it served as a mission of St. Mary's in Jackson; in 1966 Bishop Brunini formed Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton, and Immaculate Conception became its mission church, a relationship that continues today.
- Pre-1870: irregular Masses by visiting priests
- 1874–1883: Mass in private homes
- Dec 1, 1883: Bishop Janssens buys property from C. R. Robinson
- 1885: church built by contractor Russell Patrick of Vicksburg; 54 members at dedication
- Sept 6, 1885: dedicated by Bishop Janssens as Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- 1923: renamed Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
- 1928–1996: mission of St. Mary's, Jackson
- 1966: reassigned as mission of newly formed Holy Savior, Clinton
Architecture & Historic Significance
The church is a small vernacular frame structure that the National Register nomination describes as blending Greek Revival and Gothic Revival motifs—an unusually late example of the late Federal period in Mississippi. The arched roof rises above walls about 18 feet from floor to plates, and the interior retains original plasterwork with intricate sugar-based plaster molding around the tops of the walls, painted by a Professor Grace at the time of construction. The church sits on a corner lot (Main and Elm Streets) chosen in 1883 for its seclusion, accessibility, and proximity to the railroad depot. It is a contributing property to the Raymond and Vicinity Multiple Resource Area on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 25 × 40-foot frame building
- Arched roof, 18-foot walls
- Original plaster interior with sugar-based plaster molding
- Painted by Professor Grace
- Contributing property, National Register of Historic Places (Raymond and Vicinity MRA)
Sponsoring Parish: Holy Savior Catholic Church, Clinton
Holy Savior Catholic Church was established on August 12, 1966 by Bishop Gerow with Father George Uricheck as founding pastor. The first Mass was held in the Student Union Building at Mississippi College. After Father Uricheck was reassigned in 1968, Father Marion Spadini became pastor and oversaw the construction of the first permanent church in Clinton (dedicated by Bishop Brunini in November 1976 on the parish's tenth anniversary), now used as the parish activities center. Father Martin Ruane (1980–1991) led the construction of the present 750-seat worship space, dedicated by Bishop William Houck in 1987. Father Noel Prendergast (1991–January 2003) oversaw the combined religious-education/parish-office building dedicated in late 2002. In July 2004, termites damaged roof beams; Bishop Joseph Latino rededicated the church on October 17, 2004 after a fifteen-month restoration. Father Thomas McGing succeeded Prendergast, and Reverend Lincoln Dall has served as pastor since July 2022 while also serving as Vicar General of the Diocese of Jackson.
- Father George Uricheck (1966–1968)
- Father Marion Spadini (late 1960s–1980)
- Father Martin Ruane (1980–1991)
- Father Noel Prendergast (1991–January 2003)
- Father Thomas McGing (January 2003–?)
- Reverend Lincoln Dall (since July 2022; also Vicar General of the Diocese of Jackson)
Ministries & Faith Formation
As a mission of Holy Savior, Immaculate Conception parishioners participate in the broader ministries of the sponsoring parish, including Catechism, Youth Ministry, Religious Education, RCIA, and the Young at Heart senior group, which meets for Mass and lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. The parish council and various liturgical and outreach committees are organized through Holy Savior.
- Catechism
- Religious Education / Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry
- RCIA
- Young at Heart (3rd Wednesday)
- Parish Council
Sacraments
All sacraments—Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders discernment—are coordinated through Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton. Couples should contact the parish office well in advance of marriage preparation. The Anointing of the Sick is celebrated at the monthly Mass of Healing and Anointing on the second Friday of each month.
- Baptism
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick (2nd Friday, 8:30 a.m. at Holy Savior)
- RCIA
Visiting & Contact Information
Immaculate Conception is located at 232 E. Main Street, Raymond, MS 39154, at the corner of Main and Elm Streets, southeast of the Raymond town square. The mission shares its mailing address with Holy Savior (P.O. Box 85, Clinton, MS 39060-0085) and uses the parish phone (601) 924-6344. Visitors are warmly welcomed at the Sunday 8:30 a.m. Mass; for weekday visits or sacramental needs, contact the Holy Savior parish office.
- Address: 232 E. Main Street, Raymond, MS 39154
- Mailing: c/o Holy Savior, P.O. Box 85, Clinton, MS 39060-0085
- Phone: (601) 924-6344
- Website: holy-savior-ms.org/immaculate-conception/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Priests from Natchez, Woodville, Port Gibson, and Vicksburg (itinerant)pre-1870–1883
Before a permanent church existed, Mass was celebrated irregularly by visiting priests from surrounding parishes in private homes of local Catholics.
- Reverend (Bishop) Francis Janssens, Bishop of Natchez1883
Purchased the East Main Street property from C. R. Robinson on December 1, 1883, beginning the effort to build a permanent Catholic church in Raymond.
- Reverend Paul Korstenbroek, pastor of Greenville, MS1885
Built (oversaw construction of) Immaculate Conception Church; Russell Patrick of Vicksburg was the contractor. Janssens dedicated the church Sept. 6, 1885.
- Priests of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Jackson, MS (as mission)1928–1996
Immaculate Conception functioned as a mission of St. Mary's in Jackson during this period.
- Priests of Holy Savior Catholic Church, Clinton, MS (as mission)1966–present
Bishop Brunini formed Holy Savior in Clinton on August 12, 1966, and Immaculate Conception became its mission. Pastors of Holy Savior since then have included Father George Uricheck (founding pastor, 1966–1968), Father Marion Spadini (late 1960s–1980), Father Martin Ruane (1980–1991), Father Noel Prendergast (1991–January 2003), Father Thomas McGing (January 2003–?), and the current pastor Reverend Lincoln Dall (since July 2022).
