About St. Bernadette · Butner, North Carolina
St. Bernadette Catholic Church is an ethnically diverse, welcoming Catholic community in Butner, North Carolina, part of the Diocese of Raleigh. The parish has its roots in a chapel originally built for soldiers at Camp Butner during World War II, and after decades as a mission church was officially elevated to parish status on August 25, 2019, by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, with Padre Marcos Léon installed as its first pastor. The parish serves a bilingual (English and Spanish) congregation and offers daily and weekend Masses, faith formation for children, sacramental preparation, Eucharistic Adoration, and outreach through ministries such as the Knights of Columbus, a Food Pantry, and a Prison Ministry. Under Padre Marcos's leadership, the church has undertaken much-needed repairs and upgrades and continues to grow as a multicultural, Christ-centered community.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Bernadette Soubirous
- Rector
- Rev. Marcos A. Leon-Angulo (Padre Marcos Léon)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. Bernadette is a small but lively bilingual parish where newcomers are quickly made to feel at home. Daily and weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, faith formation for children on Sundays, Eucharistic Adoration on the first Sunday of every month, and ministries ranging from the Knights of Columbus to a Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, Prison Ministry and Prayer for Vocations give every family a place to belong and serve. If you are searching for a welcoming Catholic community in the greater Durham–Granville County area, St. Bernadette's mission and vision — to share the good news of Jesus Christ and grow as a multicultural Body of Christ — make it a rewarding place to worship and serve.
Mass times at St. Bernadette
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (in English and Spanish) or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Sunday of every month: Adoration is held after Communion at all Sunday Masses
History of St. Bernadette Catholic Church
St. Bernadette's story is rooted in World War II. The U.S. Army purchased 40,000 acres in Durham, Granville and Person Counties to build Camp Butner, which included three chapels for the spiritual needs of soldiers. After the war the Catholic chapel was abandoned but was rescued by committed local Catholics who, in 1952, brought it to the attention of Bishop Vincent S. Waters. On February 19, 1958, the property at 804 West D Street was officially purchased for $9,000, and Bishop Waters dedicated St. Bernadette as a mission church of St. Catherine of Siena in Wake Forest. For many decades a succession of mission priests served the small community.
- 1940s — Camp Butner established with three chapels for soldiers.
- 1952 — Local Catholics bring the abandoned Catholic chapel to Bishop Waters's attention.
- February 19, 1958 — 804 West D Street purchased for $9,000.
- 1958 — Bishop Vincent S. Waters dedicates St. Bernadette as a mission church of St. Catherine of Siena, Wake Forest.
The Middle Years — Growth and Sister Carol Loughney
On July 6, 1999, Sister Carol Loughney, O.P., became the first full-time Pastoral Administrator. She quickly established Parish and Finance Councils, began regular catechism classes and helped form a Knights of Columbus Council. The pews filled with Catholics moving to North Carolina from northern states and from Spanish-speaking countries. In fall 2008 Bishop Michael Burbidge celebrated the community's 50th anniversary, and the following spring Sister Carol marked her own 50th Jubilee. After her retirement the parish welcomed its first resident priest, Father Dominic Thomas, in June 2014.
- 1999 — Sister Carol Loughney becomes first full-time Pastoral Administrator.
- Parish Council, Finance Council, regular catechism classes and Knights of Columbus Council #14276 established.
- Fall 2008 — Bishop Burbidge celebrates the parish's 50th anniversary.
- Spring 2009 — Sister Carol celebrates her 50th Jubilee.
- June 2014 — Father Dominic Thomas arrives as first resident priest.
Our Parish Today — Padre Marcos Léon and Elevation to Parish
Padre Marcos Léon arrived in June 2015. A native of Peru with 23 years in the United States and 16 years in the priesthood, he directed much-needed repairs and upgrades to the church building and nurtured the multicultural community. On August 25, 2019, Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama officially elevated the mission of St. Bernadette to parish status and installed Padre Marcos as the first pastor — a moment the community celebrated at the Butner Sport Arena with Mariachi music and food shared by parishioners.
- June 2015 — Padre Marcos Léon arrives in Butner.
- August 25, 2019 — Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama elevates St. Bernadette to a parish.
- Father Marcos Leon-Angulo installed as first pastor.
- Renovation projects to the church building continue under parish leadership.
Parish Ministries and Groups
St. Bernadette's ministries are organized into Liturgical Ministries (serving at Mass) and other parish-wide ministries of service and outreach. Many have specific lay leaders; new volunteers are always welcome.
- Liturgical Ministries: Altar Servers (Tim Romocki), Eucharistic Ministers (Paula Green), Lectors (JoAnn Carr), Ushers (Bill Paro), English Music (Brandon Roeder), Spanish Music (Wuilder Roblero)
- Knights of Columbus Council #14276 — meets 1st and 3rd Monday; contact Ed Schofield
- Food Pantry — stored at the Methodist Church on E Street
- Clothes Closet — United Methodist Church on E Street (Education Building upstairs)
- Prison Ministry — contact Paula Bost or the parish office
- Prayer for Vocations (Chalice Program)
- Building Committee — long-range planning for repairs, safety and accessibility
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
Faith Formation classes are offered for parish children on Sundays from 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM, scheduled between Masses so that families can worship together. The program depends on volunteer catechists, aides, chaperones and committee members; all volunteers working with children must complete Diocese of Raleigh child-protection training and background checks.
- Classes: Sundays 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM (between Masses)
- Volunteers needed: catechists, aides, chaperones, committee members
- Diocesan child-protection training and background checks required for all volunteers
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
The parish office arranges Baptisms, Weddings, and visitations to the sick. First Communion and Confirmation preparation are provided through the Faith Formation program. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturdays and at seasonal services.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Visitation of the Sick — contact the parish office
- First Communion & Confirmation — through Faith Formation
Outreach and Community Partnerships
St. Bernadette partners with neighboring congregations and civic groups to serve the broader Butner community. The parish Food Pantry is housed at the Methodist Church on E Street, and the Clothes Closet is located upstairs in the Education Building at the United Methodist Church on E Street, open Monday and Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. The parish also maintains an active Prison Ministry and supports vocations through the Chalice Prayer Program.
- Food Pantry — hosted at the Methodist Church on E Street
- Clothes Closet — United Methodist Church on E Street, Education Building upstairs; Monday & Tuesday 1:30–3:30 PM, Wednesday 5:30–6:30 PM
- Prison Ministry — ongoing; volunteers welcome
- Prayer for Vocations — Chalice taken home to pray for vocations
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person. The church building is at 804 West D Street, while the Parish House/Office uses the mailing address 311 11th Street, Butner, NC 27509.
- Church: 804 West D Street, Butner, NC 27509
- Parish Office / Mailing: 311 11th Street, Butner, NC 27509
- Phone: (919) 575-4537
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: https://www.stbernadettecatholicchurchbutner.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Sister Carol Loughney, O.P.1999 – June 2014
First full-time Pastoral Administrator; established Parish and Finance Councils, began regular catechism classes and a Knights of Columbus Council; celebrated her 50th Jubilee in 2009.
- Father Dominic ThomasJune 2014 – June 2015
First resident priest of the community; served one year before Padre Marcos's arrival.
- Padre Marcos Léon (Rev. Marcos A. Leon-Angulo)June 2015 – present
Native of Peru; installed as first Pastor when the mission was elevated to parish status on August 25, 2019 by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama.