About St. Benedict · Ridgely, Maryland
St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, located at 408 Central Avenue in the small Eastern Shore town of Ridgely, Maryland, is one half of the St. Benedict / St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Community. The brick church was constructed and dedicated on July 15, 1896, and now shares a single pastoral team with its mission parish, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in nearby Denton. The community is pastored from Ridgely and serves Caroline County in the Diocese of Wilmington, where Mass is celebrated in English throughout the week, with weekend liturgies split between the two historic church buildings.
- Established
- 1896
- Patron
- St. Benedict of Nursia
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher M. Markellos (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wilmington
Why belong here
St. Benedict / St. Elizabeth of Hungary offers the rhythms of a small-town Eastern Shore Catholic community: daily Mass multiple days a week, weekly Eucharistic adoration on Tuesdays, a religious education program for children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, a Confirmation preparation program for high-school-age youth, and three permanent deacons actively serving the parish. Visitors and newcomers consistently describe the community as exceptionally welcoming, and parishioners gather each year for the Corpus Christi procession around the block and into the church — traditions that tie today's families to the same immigrant farming families who founded the parish in the 1890s.
Mass times at St. Benedict
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 8:15 AM – 8:45 AM (before 9:00 AM Mass, St. Benedict)
- Thursday: 8:15 AM – 8:45 AM (before 9:00 AM Mass, St. Benedict)
- Wednesday evening: 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM (St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Denton)
- Saturday evening: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (before vigil Mass)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, St. Benedict Church, Ridgely
- Wednesday: 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, Denton
Our Parish Community
St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church stands at 408 Central Avenue in Ridgely, a small Eastern Shore town in Caroline County, Maryland. Since the parish building was dedicated on July 15, 1896, generations of Catholic families — many descended from immigrant farming families who traveled here by horse-drawn wagon — have worshipped, formed their children in the faith, and served one another as a parish family. Today the Ridgely church shares a single pastor, deacons, and staff with its sister church, St. Elizabeth of Hungary in nearby Denton, and the two together operate as the St. Benedict / St. Elizabeth Catholic Community of the Diocese of Wilmington.
- Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington (covers all of Delaware and the Maryland Eastern Shore)
- Combined parish: St. Benedict / St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Community
- Rite: Roman-Latin
- Office hours: Tuesday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
History of St. Benedict
The Catholic families of the Ridgely area built and dedicated their brick church on July 15, 1896, naming it for St. Benedict of Nursia, whose motto of 'pray and work' — ora et labora — has become a touchstone for parish identity. A century later, the parish marked its 100th anniversary with a commemorative video, and in July 2021 it gathered for the 125th anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Francis Malooly of Wilmington, with Vicar General Msgr. Steven P. Hurley and several former pastors and Benedictine Sisters of St. Gertrude Monastery present. Former pastor Father Christopher R. Coffiey summarized what 'sets us apart' as a parish: 'the truth we proclaim, the beauty and reverence of our liturgies and our sacraments, and most especially, our community.'
- Church dedicated July 15, 1896
- 100th anniversary celebrated with commemorative video
- 125th anniversary Mass held July 11, 2021, with Bishop Malooly (his last formal event before retirement)
- Benedictine Sisters of St. Gertrude Monastery taught Sunday school here before the Family Life Center was built
Clergy & Staff
The parish community is shepherded by a small but deeply rooted team. The current Parish Administrator is Rev. Christopher M. Markellos. He is assisted by three permanent deacons — Deacon Harold D. Jopp, Jr. (ordained in this parish in 1980), Deacon William G. Nickum, and Deacon Adam M. Perza — along with Coordinator of Religious Education Mrs. Kasey Perza, Pastoral Assistant Mrs. Lori Parks, Bookkeeper Mrs. Kimberly Ernest, and Custodial Manager Mrs. Olga Hernandez-Baron.
- Rev. Christopher M. Markellos — Parish Administrator
- Deacon Harold D. Jopp, Jr.
- Deacon William G. Nickum
- Deacon Adam M. Perza
- Mrs. Kasey Perza — Coordinator of Religious Education (Ext. 4)
- Mrs. Lori Parks — Pastoral Assistant (Ext. 2)
- Mrs. Kimberly Ernest — Bookkeeper/Finance
- Mrs. Olga Hernandez-Baron — Custodial Manager
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation for children preparing for the sacraments is coordinated through Mrs. Kasey Perza in the Office of Religious Education. Children must be at least seven years old (the age of reason) and have completed at least two years of prior religious formation before enrolling in First Reconciliation and First Eucharist classes. Religious Education sessions for parish-school-age children are held on Sundays from 9:40 AM to 10:45 AM.
- First Reconciliation: preparation sessions in fall; sacrament celebrated during Advent
- First Eucharist: preparation sessions in spring; sacrament celebrated in May
- Confirmation: open to students 10th grade and beyond with at least two prior years of formation
- Contact: Mrs. Kasey Perza, 410-634-2253, Ext. 4 — [email protected]
- Families with children in Catholic schools or homeschooled are also required to register with the parish for sacramental preparation
Parish Life & Devotions
Outside the regular Mass schedule, the parish community keeps several beloved traditions alive. About 75 parishioners join each year for the Feast of Corpus Christi Eucharistic procession on the Sunday after the feast, walking around the block and stopping at three altars before entering St. Benedict Church to affirm belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The Knights of Columbus and parish volunteers support the parish's mission, and the parish Family Life Center hosts parish gatherings and receptions.
- Annual Corpus Christi procession (around the block and into St. Benedict Church)
- Knights of Columbus
- Family Life Center (parish fellowship and reception space)
- Liturgical ministries served by three permanent deacons
Visiting & Contact
St. Benedict sits on the corner of Central Avenue (Route 312) and 4th Street in the town of Ridgely. From Route 404, take Route 480 to Central Avenue; the church is on the corner. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM and can be reached by phone at (410) 634-2253 or by email at [email protected]. The mailing address is P.O. Box 459, Ridgely, MD 21660.
- Address: 408 Central Ave., Ridgely, MD 21660
- Mailing: P.O. Box 459, Ridgely, MD 21660
- Phone: (410) 634-2253 • Fax: (410) 634-1997
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tuesday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Norman Carroll
Former pastor; concelebrated the 125th anniversary Mass in 2021
- Father Brian Lewis
Former pastor; concelebrated the 125th anniversary Mass in 2021
- Father Christopher R. Coffieythrough 2021
Parish Administrator at the time of the 125th anniversary celebration
- Rev. Christopher M. Markelloscurrent
Current Parish Administrator per the diocesan parish directory