About St. Frances of Rome · Sparta, North Carolina
St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church is a bilingual (English and Spanish) mission church of the Diocese of Charlotte located at 29 Highland Drive in Sparta, North Carolina, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the Virginia border. The mission is served by Father Jacob A. Mlakar and is a mission of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson, NC. The parish has grown from 17 original members in the early 1960s to roughly 160 registered families today, including a vibrant Hispanic Catholic community that worships in both English and Spanish.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Frances of Rome
- Rector
- Reverend Jacob A. Mlakar
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
St. Frances of Rome is a small but lively bilingual mountain mission where English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics worship side by side. With daily and weekend Mass in both languages, Eucharistic Adoration, weekly Confession, an active Hispanic ministry, OCIA and Confirmation classes, youth and adult faith formation, a Knights of Columbus council, a Legion of Mary praesidium, a parish cemetery, and a strong network of outreach (Meal Ministry, Homebound Ministry, Solid Rock Food Closet, Prayer Shawl Ministry), newcomers quickly find a place to belong and serve.
Mass times at St. Frances of Rome
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
- Wednesday 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Welcome & About St. Frances of Rome
St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church sits at 29 Highland Drive in Sparta, North Carolina, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the Virginia line. The parish describes itself as a community of 'warmth and witness to God's love for one another,' welcoming newcomers into its bilingual (English/Spanish) fellowship. It is a mission of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson, NC, within the Diocese of Charlotte, and is currently pastored by Reverend Jacob A. Mlakar.
- Address: 29 Highland Drive, PO Box 367, Sparta, NC 28675
- Phone: (336) 372-8846
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor: Rev. Jacob A. Mlakar
- Mission of St. Francis of Assisi, Jefferson, NC
- Diocese of Charlotte
History of the Mission
Before the early 1960s, Alleghany County Catholics drove to Elkin or North Wilkesboro for Mass. In 1961 Father (later Monsignor) Lewis began traveling to Sparta and celebrated the first local Mass on Aug. 15, 1961 (Feast of the Assumption) at the home of Mrs. J. Lee Johnson, with Christmas morning Mass at the home of Joe and Mildred Savick. After Bishop Vincent Waters directed Father Joseph Bumann to find property in 1965, the parish built its church with a $10,000 Catholic Church Extension Society grant and $3,000 from Geraldine Payne Gilbert and her husband. The church was dedicated on Sept. 25, 1966, designed by Julian Altobellis with interiors by Ade Bethune, and built in memory of Frances Payne Darr. In 1972 it became part of the new Diocese of Charlotte; from 1976 it was served by Glenmary Home Missioners until diocesan priests took over in 1998. A parish hall was blessed in October 1986 and the parish cemetery was dedicated by Bishop Peter Jugis on March 11, 2015. The mission marked its 50th anniversary with a bilingual Mass celebrated by Bishop Jugis on Sept. 25, 2016.
- First Mass in Alleghany County: Aug. 15, 1961
- Church dedicated: Sept. 25, 1966 by Bishop Vincent Waters
- Relic of St. Frances of Rome received from Cardinal Spellman, Nov. 1966
- Joined new Diocese of Charlotte: 1972
- Parish hall dedicated: October 1986 by Bishop John F. Donoghue
- Cemetery dedicated: March 11, 2015 by Bishop Peter Jugis
- 50th anniversary: Sept. 25, 2016
Patron: St. Frances of Rome
The mission is named for St. Frances of Rome (1384–1440), a 15th-century mystic, wife, and mother who was remarkable for her charity to the poor and her zeal for souls. Her feast day is March 9. A relic of the saint, gifted by Cardinal Francis Spellman, Archbishop of New York, was placed in the altar of the church in November 1966.
- St. Frances of Rome (1384–1440)
- Feast day: March 9
- Relic placed in altar: November 1966
Clergy & Parish Staff
The mission is led by Pastor Reverend Jacob A. Mlakar, who holds office hours in Sparta on Thursdays from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. A small team of lay staff and ministry coordinators supports the parish's daily operations, finances, faith formation, Hispanic ministry, and parish council.
- Pastor: Rev. Jacob A. Mlakar (office hours Thursdays 1:00–3:00 PM in Sparta)
- Administrative Assistant: Carla Gauldin – 336-372-8846 / 336-300-2177
- Finance Assistant: Marie-Claire Songhurst – 860-428-4461
- Parish Operations Manager: Greg Songhurst – 860-428-1145
- Parish Council Chair: John Pokorney – 336-757-1081
- Finance Council Chair: Herb Maddock
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered across the lifespan, in both English and Spanish. Adult Faith Formation with John Ellison meets Sundays at 9:45 AM; Youth Faith Formation follows the English Sunday Mass at 12:30 PM; Confirmation II and OCIA (in Spanish) meet Sunday afternoons after the Spanish Mass.
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Guillermina Limon – 336-596-6591
- Adult Faith Formation with John Ellison – Sundays 9:45 AM
- Youth Faith Formation – Sundays 12:30 PM
- Confirmation II Class – Sundays 3:30 PM
- OCIA (Spanish) – Sundays 3:15 PM
Hispanic Ministry & Quinceañera
A vibrant Hispanic Catholic community worships in Spanish at the 2:00 PM Sunday Mass and 7:00 PM Thursday Mass, with Spanish choir practice, children's music practice, and Spanish-language OCIA. The Hispanic Ministry Vicariate coordinates a Quinceañera class for young women (and a parent) preparing to celebrate this milestone at the church.
- Hispanic Ministry Coordinator: Maria Luisa Olivares – 336-359-2139
- Vicariate Hispanic Ministry: Aleksandra Banasik – 336-428-6909
- Spanish choir practice – Thursdays 7:30 PM
- Children's music practice (Spanish) – Fridays 7:00 PM
- Quinceañera class offered periodically (next session May 30, 2026)
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Parishioners are active in several lay organizations and outreach efforts, including the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Apostles of the Word, Stewardship Committee, Meal Ministry, Homebound Ministry, and the Solid Rock Food Closet in Sparta. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets Thursdays at 10:00 AM at the Sparta Presbyterian Church (160 S. Main St.) and welcomes knitters and crocheters as well as donations of yarn and needles.
- Knights of Columbus – Mondays 5:30 PM Rosary, 6:00 PM meeting
- Legion of Mary – Mondays 6:00 PM
- Apostles of the Word – Tuesdays 7:00 PM
- Stewardship Committee
- Meal Ministry: Marie-Claire Songhurst
- Solid Rock Food Closet – 336-372-6560 (contact Janet Pokorney 336-757-1074)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry – Thursdays 10:00 AM at Sparta Presbyterian Church
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (Mass), Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders (through referral to the diocese). Baptisms require parents to attend a Baptismal Preparation class first; godparents are not required to attend. The Anointing of the Sick can be requested by calling Fr. Jacob; in an emergency call 336-372-8846, option 3.
- Baptism: prep class required; contact Maria Luisa Olivares 704-351-1400
- Reconciliation: Sunday 1:00 PM, Wednesday 4:45 PM, Thursday 5:30 PM
- Anointing of the Sick: call Fr. Jacob; emergency line 336-372-8846 option 3
- Quinceañera: required class through Hispanic Ministry Vicariate
- Marriage / Funerals: contact the parish office
St. Frances of Rome Cemetery
St. Frances of Rome Cemetery was dedicated by Bishop Peter Jugis on March 11, 2015. The parish continues a cemetery expansion; plots are available for $500 each. An Eagle Scout project by Vincent Benish added a fence, walkway, and center crucifix pillar at the cemetery. To join the Cemetery Committee, contact the office or Chairman Greg Songhurst.
- Cemetery dedicated: March 11, 2015 by Bishop Peter Jugis
- Cemetery expansion plots available for $500
- Eagle Scout project by Vincent Benish: fence, walkway, crucifix pillar
- Cemetery Committee Chairman: Greg Songhurst – 860-428-1145
Giving & Communications
Parishioners can give online through Vanco Payment Solutions (one-time or recurring), with options for Sunday Offering, Priests' Retirement Benefits, Seminarian Education, the Cemetery Fund, the Altar Flower Fund, and Our Families in Need. DSA contributions are directed to the Diocese of Charlotte. The parish also uses Flocknote for weekly emails and schedule change alerts.
- Online Giving via Vanco Payment Solutions (Sunday Offering, Cemetery Fund, etc.)
- DSA contributions via charlottediocese.org/giving
- Flocknote weekly emails and alerts – signup forms in the narthex or by emailing the office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father (later Monsignor) Lewis1961–
First priest to celebrate Mass in Alleghany County in 1961; pastor at the time of the church's 1966 dedication.
- Father Joseph Bumann
Directed by Bishop Waters in 1965 to find property in Sparta for the new church.
- Father Justin Pechulis
Served the mission from North Wilkesboro after the 1972 creation of the Diocese of Charlotte.
- Father Francis Donahue
Served from North Wilkesboro after the 1972 creation of the Diocese of Charlotte.
- Father Bede Wattigny
Served from North Wilkesboro after the 1972 creation of the Diocese of Charlotte.
- Father Fid Levi
Glenmary Home Missioner who served the mission beginning in 1976.
- Father Tony Jablonowski
Glenmary Home Missioner.
- Father Richard Kreimer
Glenmary Home Missioner.
- Father Jon Otterbacher
Glenmary Home Missioner.
- Father Hautz
Glenmary Home Missioner.
- Father Patrick O'Donnell
Glenmary Home Missioner.
- Father Ronald Marecki1998–
First diocesan priest to assume pastoral care after the Glenmary missioners.
- Father Wilbur Thomas
Diocesan pastor/administrator after 1998.
- Father Mark Lawlor
Diocesan pastor/administrator after 1998.
- Father C. Morris Boyd
Diocesan pastor/administrator after 1998.
- Father Patrick Winslow
Diocesan pastor/administrator after 1998.
- Father Joseph Dinh
Diocesan pastor/administrator after 1998.
- Father James Stuhrenberg2010–
Pastor from July 2010.
- Father Cory Catron
Served the Sparta mission; emphasized the 'ministry of presence.'
- Reverend Jacob A. Mlakar
Current pastor; serves both St. Frances of Rome and St. Francis of Assisi, Jefferson.