About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Crofton, Maryland
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Crofton, Maryland, belonging to the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The parish was established in 1976 when Archbishop William Borders elevated the Crofton Mission (begun by Fr. Michael Spillane in 1975) to parish status with close to 600 families. Today it serves over 1,500 registered families and is the spiritual home of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School (K–6). The parish is named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American to be canonized a saint, and is currently pastored by Rev. Msgr. Richard Woy.
- Established
- 1976
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821), the first native-born American to be canonized a saint, foundress of the Daughters of Charity in the United States.
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Richard Woy
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Christ-centered Catholic community of more than 1,500 families that welcomes newcomers with open arms. The parish grounds its life in a strong sacramental schedule (five Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday–Thursday, Saturday confessions, and weekly Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration), supports one of the area's Catholic schools (K–6), and offers formation for every age — Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for the youngest, family-centered K–12 faith formation, OCIA for adults, and a high-school 'Metanoia' youth ministry. Outreach, Vacation Bible School, SPRED ministry for individuals with special needs, and adult Bible study round out a parish that lives out its mission 'to be a warm and welcoming Catholic community of faith, proclaiming the message of Jesus through a strong and vital sacramental life, active ministry, and loving outreach.'
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM (or anytime by appointment)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM (following the 9:00 AM daily Mass)
Parish History
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish was born as a mission of Our Lady of the Fields in Millersville in 1975, was elevated to parish status in 1976, and built its first church on Seton Drive in time for the first Masses on July 18–19, 1981. The detailed story of those founding years, the acquisition of the 48-acre (later 19-acre retained) site on Route 424, and the people who shaped the parish is told on the parish's own Parish History page.
- 1975: Fr. Michael Spillane begins the Crofton Mission; first Mass in Crofton Woods Elementary School auditorium, ~1,000 attendees
- November 1975: Archbishop William Borders formally dedicates the mission to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- 1976: Mission elevated to parish status with Fr. Spillane as first pastor; ~600 families
- September 1977: 48 acres purchased from the Episcopal Cathedral Foundation of Washington on Route 424; 19 acres retained
- July 18–19, 1981: First Masses in the new church facility
Architecture & Sacred Art
Although built new in 1981, the church is enriched by liturgical furnishings rescued from older Maryland Catholic sites. The result is a parish church whose beauty comes from layers of 20th-century sacred art and craftsmanship — stained glass from Munich, bells from Baltimore, and Carrara marble stations from Italy.
- Stained glass windows: designed and executed by Franz Mayer of Munich, 1927; originally in the Jesuit seminary chapel at Woodstock, MD
- Four bronze bells: cast by McShane foundry of Baltimore, 1913; formerly in St. John the Evangelist and St. James Church (Valley & Eager Streets, Baltimore); tuned to the Westminster chimes; named Mary Ever Virgin, St. Bernard, St. George, and St. John the Evangelist
- Fourteen Stations of the Cross: designed by Ranieri Studios of Detroit; carved in Italy c. 1959 from solid blocks of Carrara marble; originally in the Generalate of the Sisters of Mercy, Potomac, MD (closed 1980)
- Booklet: 'Prayers in Glass: Seton's Windows' by James R. Schaefer, PhD — available in the church vestibule
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently led by Rev. Msgr. Richard Woy as pastor. Deacon Michael Fitzpatrick serves as Director of Evangelization & Adult Faith Formation and is the parish's primary contact for Becoming Catholic / OCIA. The parish has employed additional lay leadership including a Director of Music Ministry, Director of Operations, and Maintenance Technician.
- Rev. Msgr. Richard Woy — Pastor
- Deacon Michael Fitzpatrick — Director of Evangelization & Adult Faith Formation (ext. 222)
- Director of Music Ministry (listed in parish hiring history, 2023)
- Director of Operations (listed in parish hiring history, 2025)
- Maintenance Technician (listed in parish hiring history, 2025)
Pastor Succession
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton has been served by a succession of pastors since its founding in 1976, beginning with mission founder Fr. Michael Spillane. Fr. Ed Connolly's tenure of more than 25 years anchored the parish's middle decades, and Fr. Paul Sparklin was pastor at the time of the 40th anniversary in 2016. The current pastor is Rev. Msgr. Richard Woy.
- Rev. Michael Spillane — founding pastor (mission 1975; parish 1976–c.1981)
- Rev. Edward ('Ed') Connolly — pastor for 25+ years
- Rev. Paul Sparklin — pastor at 40th anniversary (2016); later St. Michael, Poplar Springs
- Rev. Msgr. Richard Woy — current pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Family-centered faith formation is a central priority. The parish serves every age from PreK through adult, intentionally involving parents as the primary catechists of their children. Programs include Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for the youngest, elementary sacramental preparation, middle- and high-school formation, and adult OCIA and Bible study. Confirmed Catholic adults (16+) are always invited to serve as catechists and small-group leaders.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (PreK–Grade 1, Montessori-based)
- Elementary Faith Formation (Grades 2–5)
- Middle School Faith Formation (Grades 6–8)
- High School Youth Ministry — 'Metanoia' (Grades 9–12) and Kairos retreat
- Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), formerly RCIA
- Adult Bible Study
- Vacation Bible School (K–6, summer)
- SPRED — Special Religious Development for individuals with special needs
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School is the largest ministry of the parish, offering an excellent Catholic education in a Christ-like environment for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Parishioners receive priority enrollment status, and the school regularly welcomes parish volunteers for events such as the annual Auction and classroom support.
- Grades served: K through 6
- Parishioner priority enrollment
- Annual Auction and parish volunteer opportunities
Becoming Catholic & OCIA
Adults interested in becoming Catholic, completing the Sacraments of Initiation, or learning more about the Catholic faith are invited through the parish's Becoming Catholic process. Young people ages 8–17 who are unbaptized or without prior religious education may also prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist).
- Primary contact: Deacon Michael Fitzpatrick, [email protected], 410-721-5770 ext. 222
- Adult OCIA (formerly RCIA)
- Youth OCIA for ages 8–17
Sacraments
Information about Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation is available through the parish office and the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Marriage Preparation and parish offices. Confession is offered weekly on Saturdays.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage (Marriage Preparation via the Archdiocese of Baltimore)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation (Confession): Saturdays 3:30 PM and by appointment
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are welcomed at 1800 Seton Drive, Crofton, MD 21114. The parish office can be reached at (410) 721-5770 (fax 410-721-5508), and the parish can also be reached by email at [email protected]. The parish maintains an active presence on Facebook.
- Address: 1800 Seton Drive, Crofton, MD 21114
- Phone: (410) 721-5770
- Fax: (410) 721-5508
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.seaseton.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seaseton/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Spillane1975–c.1981
Founded the Crofton Mission in 1975 from Our Lady of the Fields, Millersville; became first pastor when the mission was elevated to parish status in 1976; shepherded the building of the first church on Seton Drive, dedicated in 1981.
- Rev. Edward ('Ed') Connollyc.1981–c.2015
Served as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for more than 25 years; remembered at the 40th anniversary Mass in 2016.
- Rev. Paul Sparklinc.2015–c.2016+
Pastor at the time of the parish's 40th anniversary celebration in 2016; later assigned as pastor of St. Michael, Poplar Springs.
- Rev. Msgr. Richard Woypresent
Current pastor per the Archdiocese of Baltimore parish page and priest directory.