About St. Andrew the Apostle · Apex, North Carolina
St. Andrew the Apostle is a Catholic parish in Apex, North Carolina, serving the western Wake County community as part of the Diocese of Raleigh. Founded on September 1, 1983, it remains the only parish in the diocese still staffed by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement (the Society of the Atonement, founded by Fr. Paul Watson in 1898). The parish is guided by its mission 'to love God and neighbor through sacrifice, serving, and stewardship,' and offers more than 50 active ministries spanning liturgy, faith formation, youth ministry, music, and outreach to the poor through Catholic Parish Outreach (CPO).
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- St. Andrew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. John G. Durbin (Father John Durbin)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. Andrew the Apostle is a welcoming, mission-driven parish where parishioners can grow as disciples through more than 50 active ministries — from liturgical service and choirs to faith formation for every age, youth ministry, and Families Encountering Christ. Worship is complemented by Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction on First Fridays/Saturdays and Saturday Confession in the Chapel, while outreach runs deep through the parish's longstanding support of Catholic Parish Outreach (CPO), one of the Triangle's largest food pantries. As the only parish in the Diocese of Raleigh still staffed by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, it carries a distinctive ecumenical and pro-poor spirit — a great fit for newcomers wanting both reverent liturgy and a tangible call to serve neighbors.
Mass times at St. Andrew the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (in the Chapel)
Adoration times
- First Friday: begins after the 9:00 AM Mass and continues overnight until Saturday morning, closing with Benediction at 9:00 AM on First Saturday (held in the Chapel)
Parish History
St. Andrew the Apostle traces its roots to a small Catholic chapel on Hunter Street in Apex in the early 1920s, which was later destroyed by fire. For decades Catholics in Apex were served from St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Cary. In December 1979 a group of lay leaders met with Father Tait to launch a mission in Apex; by October 1980 Mass was being said in the basement of Spain's Restaurant before quickly moving to the C.C. Jones Community Center on Holleman Street. Bishop Joseph Gossman of Raleigh invited the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at Graymoor to staff the new parish, and on September 1, 1983, Father Bill Schmidt, SA, arrived as the founding pastor with Father Joe Cavoto, SA, as associate. The first Mass as St. Andrew the Apostle was celebrated at Apex High School on September 4, 1983 — the same day the parish's first baptism took place. The parish celebrated its 25th anniversary in September 2008 with a gala, family festival, and anniversary Mass.
- December 1979 — Founding lay group meets with Father Tait to plan a mission church in Apex.
- October 1980 — First Mass celebrated in the basement of Spain's Restaurant; quickly moves to C.C. Jones Community Center.
- November 1980 — About 15 parishioners begin fundraising for a permanent parish presence.
- 1982 — Bishop Gossman commits to considering a permanent parish; the mission is renamed St. Andrew the Apostle.
- September 1, 1983 — Fr. William F. Schmidt, SA (pastor) and Fr. Joseph F. Cavoto, SA (associate) arrive from Graymoor.
- September 4, 1983 — First parish Mass celebrated at Apex High School; John Edgar Calcagni is the first baptism.
- September 2008 — 25th anniversary celebrated with gala, family festival, and anniversary Mass.
Franciscan Friars of the Atonement Heritage
St. Andrew is the only parish in the Diocese of Raleigh still staffed by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement (the Society of the Atonement), a religious community founded in 1898 by Fr. Paul Watson with a mission of reconciliation and healing. The Friars first came to North Carolina in 1941 under Bishop Eugene McGuinness to lead small parishes in Lumberton, Kinston, and High Point. Their charism of outreach to the poor (echoed in their founding of St. Christopher's Inn for homeless men at Graymoor) and of hospitality and Christian unity — 'That All May Be One So That The World Might Believe' — shapes the parish's mission statement and its ecumenical partnerships with neighboring churches.
- Founded 1898 by Fr. Paul Watson at Graymoor, Garrison, New York.
- Came to North Carolina in 1941 under Bishop Eugene McGuinness.
- St. Andrew is the only Atonement-Friars parish remaining in the Diocese of Raleigh.
- Charism of outreach to the poor continues through CPO and St. Vincent de Paul.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Father John Durbin as pastor and Deacon Tom O'Brien, who also coordinates OCIA (the process for adults becoming Catholic). The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; staff emails are listed on the parish Staff page.
- Rev. John G. Durbin — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Thomas Joseph O'Brien — Deacon; OCIA Coordinator
- Director of Adult Faith Formation / OCIA Coordinator (Deacon O'Brien)
- Christine Wagner — Faith Formation Secretary ([email protected])
- Greg Santa Croce — Music Ministry Director
- Hajnalka Klieman — Music Ministry staff ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full Faith Formation program for children, youth, and adults, coordinated by the Faith Formation office (919-362-0685). Programs include elementary faith formation (CCD), Confirmation preparation, Youth Ministry, Adult Faith Formation, OCIA for adults becoming Catholic, and the Families Encountering Christ retreat weekend. The parish also maintains an Early Childhood Center and supports enrollment at local Catholic schools.
- Elementary Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry
- Confirmation preparation
- Families Encountering Christ
- Adult Faith Formation
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Deacon Tom O'Brien, coordinator)
- Early Childhood Center
- Local Catholic Schools liaison
- Safe Environment program
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry supports the prayer and worship of the community at Masses and other liturgical events, drawing on choirs, a handbell choir, and instrumentalists of all ages. As Pope Francis is quoted on the parish's Music Ministry page, 'Singing is a language that leads to the communion of hearts.' The Handbell Choir rehearses Tuesdays from 7:30–8:30 PM and plays at select Masses throughout the year; parishioners who play instruments are invited to share their talent at weekend Masses.
- Greg Santa Croce — Music Ministry Director
- Hajnalka Klieman — Music Ministry staff
- Handbell Choir (Tuesdays 7:30–8:30 PM, plays select Masses)
- Instrumentalists welcomed at weekend Masses
Outreach: Catholic Parish Outreach (CPO)
Caring for the poor is central to the parish's Franciscan identity. St. Andrew's longstanding partnership with Catholic Parish Outreach (CPO) — one of the largest food pantries in the Triangle — channels parishioner support into supplemental food and young children's clothing for needy families and individuals. CPO distributed 2.5 million pounds of food in FY 2024, served clients with 4 staff members and many volunteers, and notes that about 80% of its food is donated; a $55 donation feeds a family for one week. The parish hosts twice-yearly food drives and coordinates ongoing delivery volunteers between drives.
- CPO Mission: supplemental food and young children's clothing for those in need.
- Volunteers welcome Monday–Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
- Twice-yearly food drives at the parish.
- Ongoing food-delivery volunteers to CPO between drives.
- $55 donation feeds a family for a week (tax-deductible).
- CPO contacts: Ginny Lennon and Tom Maher, CPO Ministry Leaders.
Other Ministries & Parish Life
Beyond liturgy, formation, and outreach, the parish runs more than 50 active ministries. These include the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a Parish Library, a Funeral Planning ministry, and the parish's Safe Environment program for the protection of children and youth, which follows the diocesan Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. A columbarium is also part of the parish's facilities, and the parish maintains an Inclement Weather Policy published online.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Parish Library
- Funeral Planning
- Safe Environment (Diocesan Charter compliance)
- Columbarium
- Inclement Weather Policy
Becoming a Parishioner
Newcomers are warmly welcomed and can register by completing the New Parishioner Form online or by printing and returning it to the parish office or dropping it in the collection basket at any Mass. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and a Weekend Emergencies line is available for pastoral needs outside office hours.
- New Parishioner Form (online)
- New Parishioner Form (printable)
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Weekend Emergencies: 919-621-6945
Mission Statement
St. Andrew The Apostle Catholic Church's mission is 'to love God and neighbor through sacrifice, serving, and stewardship; to build…' — a statement that reflects both the parish's Franciscan Atonement heritage of hospitality and reconciliation, and its lived commitment to worship, formation, and outreach through ministries like CPO and St. Vincent de Paul.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William F. (Bill) Schmidt, SA1983–
First pastor; arrived September 1, 1983 from the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement alongside associate pastor Fr. Joseph Cavoto, SA.
- Rev. David Fitzgerald, SA
Pastor; one of the Friars of the Atonement who served the parish during its first 25 years.
- Rev. John G. Durbinpresent
Current pastor.