About St. Elizabeth · Boone, North Carolina
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, formally known as St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, is a Roman Catholic parish serving Boone, North Carolina and the surrounding High Country. It belongs to the Diocese of Charlotte and its canonical territory covers all of Watauga County. The parish is known for its warm, multi-generational community that welcomes local families, retirees, and the many students from neighboring Appalachian State University through the AppState Catholic Campus Ministry. Weekend liturgies are offered in English, Spanish, and the Traditional Latin (Novus Ordo) form, alongside daily Mass, regular Eucharistic Adoration, and a full sacramental schedule.
- Established
- 1958 (first church building); parish community began in the 1940s
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country (the biblical Elizabeth, mother of St. John the Baptist)
- Rector
- Reverend Brendan Joseph Buckler
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte (Province of the Archdiocese of Atlanta)
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth is a growing, multi-generational Catholic community that uniquely bridges parish life and university life on the Appalachian State campus. Mass is offered in English, Spanish, and the Traditional Latin form, with daily and weekend schedules, regular Eucharistic Adoration (including a full-day Thursday Holy Hour), and a full slate of sacraments including Confession six days a week. Active parish life spans Little Saints and Youth Group for children and teens, OCIA (RCIA) for adults, the Legion of Mary and League of St. Martin (Holy Face Devotion) for deepening prayer, plus a robust lay apostolate of ushers, lectors, choir, altar servers, bereavement meals, and rides to Mass — making it easy to plug in, serve, and find a spiritual home in the High Country.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM
- Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 – 9:25 AM
- Friday 9:00 – 9:25 AM (at Church of the Epiphany, Blowing Rock)
- Saturday 3:00 – 4:00 PM
- By appointment through the parish office
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00 PM (combined with Confession)
- Thursday after the 9:30 AM Mass until 7:00 PM
Welcome to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country is the Roman Catholic parish for Boone and Watauga County, North Carolina, situated in the Diocese of Charlotte. The parish serves a growing, multi-generational community that includes local families, retirees, and the many students of nearby Appalachian State University. Visitors can join the parish family for weekend Mass in English, Spanish, or the Traditional Latin form, or drop in for a quiet hour of Eucharistic Adoration.
- Parish motto: a Catholic community helping parishioners follow Jesus with 'a steady heart and a clear path.'
- Parish offices are on the lower level of the church building.
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (closed during Masses).
Parish History
The parish traces its origins to the 1940s, when the small Catholic population of Boone — a handful of families and Appalachian State students — gathered in private homes for Mass. The first purpose-built church was completed in 1958, served initially by priests from St. John Baptiste de La Salle in North Wilkesboro. In 1964, the Glenmary Home Missioners took responsibility for the mission, with Fr. Ed Smith as their first pastor; they remained until 1973, when the parish was returned to the Diocese of Charlotte under Fr. George Kloster.
- 1940s: Catholic families and Appalachian State students gather for Mass in private homes.
- 1958: First church building constructed.
- 1964: Glenmary Home Missioners assume pastoral care; Fr. Ed Smith becomes first Glenmary pastor.
- 1973: Parish returned to the Diocese of Charlotte; Fr. George Kloster named first diocesan pastor.
- June 9, 1984: Original church destroyed by fire.
- 1988: Present-day church completed under Fr. Frank Connolly on new property at 259 Pilgrims Way.
- 1993: Education wing added under Fr. H. Cornell Bradley, S.J.
Church Building and Architecture
The present church was completed in 1988 after the 1984 fire destroyed the original structure. Designed by architect David Moses and built by general contractor Albert Olszewski, the building is a wood, stone, and brick structure with a seating capacity of 420, blending rustic Appalachian materials with a clearly liturgical form. A 1993 addition under Fr. H. Cornell Bradley, S.J., provided dedicated classroom space for the parish's expanding Faith Formation program.
- Architect: David Moses
- General contractor: Albert Olszewski
- Completed: 1988
- Capacity: 420
- Materials: wood, stone, brick
- Education wing added: 1993
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Brendan Joseph Buckler, supported by a small lay staff. The Director of Religious Education, Vanessa Carson, oversees Faith Formation, OCIA, and youth ministry; the Administrative Assistant, Kathy Camilleri, manages parish operations from the lower-level office.
- Pastor — Fr. Brendan Buckler (ext. 14)
- Administrative Assistant — Kathy Camilleri (ext. 11)
- Director of Religious Education — Vanessa Carson (ext. 22; [email protected])
- Sacramental Emergency Line — 828-865-0311 (urgent use only)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish's religious education ministry serves students from rising 1st grade through high school, plus adults preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church. The Director of Religious Education, Vanessa Carson, coordinates all programming, including sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion (typically 2nd grade) and Confirmation (a two-year process typically beginning in 7th grade). The Diocese of Charlotte requires a current health form for each enrolled child.
- Little Saints Group — rising 1st through 6th grade
- Youth Group — rising 7th through 12th grade
- First Holy Communion preparation — typically 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation — two-year process, typically beginning 7th grade
- Registration fees: $50 / $80 / $100 for one / two / three or more children
- Contact: Vanessa Carson, [email protected]
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA)
The parish's OCIA (formerly RCIA) program is a period of discernment, instruction, prayer, and fellowship for adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church, as well as for adult Catholics who have not yet received all the Sacraments of Initiation. Interested inquirers are invited to speak with Fr. Buckler or to contact the Director of Religious Education, Vanessa Carson, at 828-264-8338 or [email protected].
- Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and Catholic adults completing initiation.
- Includes discussion, prayer, friendship, and mutual support.
- Contact: Fr. Buckler or Vanessa Carson, 828-264-8338.
Apostolates and Ministries
The parish website groups its lay apostolates into four families: Family Life, Children/Youth, Liturgical, and Devotions. With the parish 'growing' (as the homepage notes), parishioners are encouraged to fill out a Ministry Form to share their time and talent. There is a place for nearly everyone — from those who want to serve once a month at a bereavement luncheon to weekly lectors, choir members, or an hour of Adoration on Thursdays.
- Family Life: Bereavement Luncheons, Rides to Mass, Parish Events
- Children/Youth: Little Saints, Youth Group Meals, Summer Camp Assistance
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Altar Linens, Flowers, Ushers, Choir
- Devotions: Legion of Mary, League of St. Martin (Holy Face Devotion), Adoration (Thursdays)
- Maintenance: parish upkeep and miscellaneous projects
Sacraments
St. Elizabeth prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Baptism must be received before any other sacrament; parents should submit the child's baptismal certificate to the parish office. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation, and the sick or homebound can call the sacramental emergency line for anointing and viaticum.
- Baptism — required before any other sacrament; certificate on file with the parish office
- First Holy Communion — typically prepared in 2nd grade
- Confirmation — two-year preparation, typically beginning in 7th grade
- OCIA / RCIA — adult initiation and completion of initiation
- Confession — see regular schedule above
- Matrimony — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / sacramental emergencies — 828-865-0311
AppState Catholic Campus Ministry
Because the parish serves the entire Watauga County region — including the Appalachian State University community — the parish clergy minister to Appalachian State students through AppState Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM). CCM is a vicarial organization for college students housed within the parish structure, but it is financially independent of the parish and funded directly by the Diocese of Charlotte. Parishioners are encouraged to be active in CCM, and students are welcomed as a fully functioning part of parish life.
- Office: 232 Faculty Street, Boone, NC 28607
- Phone: 828-264-8338 (parish office)
- Parishioners active in CCM; students invited into full parish life.
- Financially separate from the parish; funded by the Diocese of Charlotte.
Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock Mission)
In addition to the main church in Boone, the parish operates a seasonal mission church, Church of the Epiphany, in nearby Blowing Rock. Mass is offered there from mid-May through mid-October, including a Saturday evening English Mass and a Sunday afternoon Latin Novus Ordo Mass. Confessions are heard on Friday and Saturday at Epiphany as well.
- Address: 163 Galax Lane, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
- Saturday (seasonal): 6:00 PM English
- Sunday (seasonal): 1:00 PM Latin Novus Ordo
- Friday (seasonal): 9:30 AM Latin Novus Ordo
- Confession: Friday 9:00 – 9:25 AM; Saturday 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone at (828) 264-8338, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed during Masses). The latest bulletin, which carries up-to-date event and schedule information, is published on the parish website. The parish also maintains a 24/7 sacramental emergency line for urgent pastoral needs such as anointing of the sick or last rites.
- Parish address: 259 Pilgrims Way, Boone, NC 28607
- Parish phone: (828) 264-8338
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Bulletin: published on saintecc.org
- Sacramental emergency: 828-865-0311 (urgent use only)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ed Smith1964 (first Glenmary pastor)
First pastor of the parish under the Glenmary Home Missioners, who assumed responsibility in 1964.
- Fr. George Kloster1973
First diocesan pastor after the parish was returned to the Diocese of Charlotte in 1973.
- Fr. Frank Connolly1984–1988
Led the parish through the loss of the original church in the 1984 fire and the construction of the present-day church completed in 1988.
- Fr. H. Cornell Bradley, S.J.1993
Oversaw the addition of educational space in 1993 to support the growing Faith Formation program.
- Fr. Brendan Buckler
Current pastor of St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country.