About Immaculate Heart of Mary · High Point, North Carolina
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (IHM) is a diverse Roman Catholic parish in High Point, North Carolina, within the Diocese of Charlotte. Home to over 1,700 families representing more than 40 nationalities, the parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish and operates an accompanying Catholic school (K-8). It is staffed by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and offers more than 70 ministries serving the parish, the wider community, and individuals in need. The parish worships in a sanctuary built in 2001 on the Johnson Street / Skeet Club Road campus and supports a wide formation program for children, youth, and adults.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Rector
- Reverend Patrick T. O'Connor, O.S.F.S.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
IHM is a service-oriented parish with ministries for every age and stage, from children's faith formation and middle- and high-school youth ministry through RCIA, Bible study, adult education, and a 2:00 PM Spanish Mass each Sunday. With more than 70 ministries spanning community outreach, liturgical service, Hispanic ministry, and parish family life, plus vibrant choirs, Knights of Columbus, and a weekly Stewardship Fair, there is a meaningful way for any newcomer to pray more, learn more, or serve more.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM (St. Francis DeSales Chapel)
- By appointment - 336-869-7739
Parish History
Catholic life in High Point began in 1903 with Masses said in the Ryan home on English Street. A parish church dedicated to St. Edward was blessed by Bishop Leo Haid, OSB, on September 29, 1907, on land donated by the McCarthy family at Green and Park Streets. Father John P. Manley became the first resident pastor in 1929. The parish was renamed Immaculate Heart of Mary and a new church was dedicated on October 26, 1947; IHM School opened the same year and was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, PA, until 1987. Since 1989 the parish has been led by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, with the present sanctuary opening at Christmas 2001 and the LEED-certified Parish Life and Education Center dedicated in 2013.
- 1903 – first Masses in the Ryan home on English Street
- 1907 – St. Edward church blessed by Bishop Leo Haid, OSB
- 1928 – property purchased for chapel/school/rectory
- 1929 – Fr. John P. Manley named first resident pastor
- 1947 – parish renamed Immaculate Heart of Mary and dedicated Oct. 26
- 1947 – IHM School opens
- 1972 – Diocese of Charlotte established
- 1989 – Oblates of St. Francis de Sales invited by Bishop Donoghue to lead IHM
- 1996 – 32 acres purchased at Johnson St. and Skeet Club Rd.
- 2001 – new sanctuary opens at Christmas
- 2012 – groundbreaking for the Parish Life and Education Center
- 2013 – PLEC dedicated on August 11; ministries move to the campus
- Today – 1,700+ families, 40+ nationalities, 70+ ministries
Clergy & Staff
Immaculate Heart of Mary is led by a pastor and parochial vicar from the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, supported by two permanent deacons. The parish office is open Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (closed 12:30-1:00 PM daily).
- Reverend Patrick T. O'Connor, O.S.F.S. – Pastor (ext. 8102)
- Reverend Baiju Paul Puthussery, O.S.F.S. – Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Wally Haarsgaard
- Deacon John Clarke
Faith Formation for Children
The Faith Formation Program touches parishioners of all ages, with the children's track addressing students from Pre-K (four-year-olds) through fifth grade. Classes begin after Labor Day and end in mid-May, with parents choosing either a Wednesday afternoon (4:30-6:00 PM) or Sunday afternoon (4:15-5:45 PM) program held in the IHM Parish Life and Education Center.
- Pre-K through 5th grade
- Wednesday 4:30-6:00 PM or Sunday 4:15-5:45 PM
- Location: IHM Parish Life and Education Center
- Faith Formation Office: 336-884-5352
Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12)
Youth Ministry for Grades 6-12 uses the EDGE and LifeTeen programs to help young people 'make a difference' in themselves and others through spiritual and personal growth, leadership development, appreciation of diversity, community building, and servant leadership. Components include Confirmation preparation, a Sunday evening Youth Mass (6:00 PM, September through May), social events, and retreats.
- EDGE (middle school) and LifeTeen (high school)
- Confirmation preparation
- Youth Mass: Sundays 6:00 PM, September - May
- Contact: 336-884-5352
Adult Faith Formation, RCIA & Sacramental Prep
Adults find formation through Scripture study, the Parish Lenten Renewal, Wednesday Morning Bible Study (9:30-11:30 AM in Meeting Room 1), Wednesday evening adult-education programs (7:15-8:30 PM), and RCIA. RCIA sessions are held Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room 1 for those preparing for full membership in the Roman Catholic Church. Sacramental preparation for Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation, as well as a Baptismal Preparation Workshop (usually the first Saturday of the month, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM) and Pre-Cana for engaged couples, round out adult offerings.
- RCIA – Tuesdays 7:00 PM in Meeting Room 1
- Adult Bible Study – Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 AM
- Adult Education – Wednesdays 7:15-8:30 PM
- Baptismal Preparation – 1st Saturday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation
- Lenten Parish Renewal
Get Involved & Stewardship
IHM calls itself a service-oriented parish with ministries and groups for all ages. The parish organizes four commissions - Community Outreach, Faith Formation, Liturgical, Ministerio Hispano, and Parish Family Life - along with an annual Stewardship Fair Weekend each fall, when parishioners can meet ministry volunteers and sign up to serve.
- Community Outreach
- Faith Formation
- Liturgical
- Ministerio Hispano
- Parish Family Life
- Stewardship Fair (annual, fall)
- Stewardship Coordinator: Kathleen Coxwell, 336-869-7739 ext. 8104
Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano)
IHM serves its growing Hispanic community with a Spanish-language Mass each Sunday at 2:00 PM and a Tuesday evening Spanish Mass at 7:00 PM. Ministerio Hispano welcomes Spanish-speaking parishioners into parish life through formation, fellowship, and outreach.
- Sunday Mass in Spanish: 2:00 PM
- Tuesday Mass in Spanish: 7:00 PM
- Live-stream: Sunday 2:00 PM Spanish Mass
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School
The parish school opened in September 1947 and continues to operate on the Johnson Street campus adjacent to the church. The original school building was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, PA, until 1987; today the school is part of the Diocese of Charlotte system and shares the LEED-certified Parish Life and Education Center with the parish.
- Opened September 1947
- Part of the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools
- Located on the Johnson Street campus
Parish Life and Education Center
The IHM Parish Life and Education Center was dedicated on August 11, 2013, after a formal groundbreaking on January 15, 2012 and construction starting in May 2012. It is one of the first 'LEED for Schools' certified projects in North Carolina, a certification recognizing buildings that perform better and more efficiently, protect the health of students and teachers, and are financially and economically viable. All parish ministries moved to the Johnson Street campus in June 2013.
- Groundbreaking: January 15, 2012
- Construction began: May 2012
- All ministries relocated: June 2013
- Dedicated: August 11, 2013
- LEED for Schools certified
- Faith Formation and meeting-room hub
Parish Office & Contact
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM; offices are closed daily from 12:30 to 1:00 PM. The parish mailing address and main campus is at 4145 Johnson Street, High Point, NC 27265.
- Address: 4145 Johnson Street, High Point, NC 27265
- Phone: 336-869-7739
- Email: [email protected]
- Faith Formation Office: 336-884-5352
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John P. Manley1929 -
First resident pastor of the parish (then St. Edward's / precursor to IHM).