About St. John the Baptist · Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, part of the Diocese of Raleigh. The parish was dedicated on July 3, 1931 and has served as the Catholic presence in Halifax County and the surrounding Roanoke Valley/Lake Gaston area for nearly a century. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, and the parish also cares for a historic mission church — the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Historic Halifax — which dates back to 1889 and was built by Servant of God Father Thomas Frederick Price. Today the parish is led by Administrator Rev. John M.P. De Guzman with Deacon Bernie Zdancewicz, and it offers a range of ministries for all ages, including youth ministry, faith formation, music, and outreach.
- Established
- 1931
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Rev. John M.P. De Guzman (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist is the Catholic home for Halifax County and the Roanoke Valley/Lake Gaston area, offering weekend Mass in both English and Spanish along with faith formation for children, youth and adults. The parish reaches out to those most in need through service ministries and nurtures young people through a dynamic High School Youth Ministry, while also maintaining a beautiful columbarium in its memorial garden so the church can be part of parishioners' lives from birth to death. Bilingual liturgical life, a caring deacon-led faith formation program, and stewardship of the historic 1889 Immaculate Conception mission in Halifax make it a distinctive and welcoming community for newcomers, lifelong residents, and visitors alike.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (before Vigil Mass)
- Tuesday 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
- By appointment
Parish Identity and Mission
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church describes itself as 'a vibrant Catholic parish encountering Jesus Christ through Liturgy, Sacraments, Fellowship, and Service.' As the Catholic presence in Halifax County and parts of the surrounding area, the parish welcomes newcomers to the Roanoke Valley/Lake Gaston region, lifelong residents, and visitors alike.
- Mission: 'A vibrant Catholic parish encountering Jesus Christ through Liturgy, Sacraments, Fellowship, and Service.'
- Role: Catholic presence for Halifax County and the surrounding area
- Welcomes new arrivals, lifelong residents, and visitors
History of the Parish
The parish of St. John the Baptist was organized in Roanoke Rapids and dedicated on July 3, 1931, growing into the principal Catholic community of the Roanoke Valley. From the beginning it has also cared for an older mission: the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Historic Halifax, which dates to 1889. According to Monsignor Gerald Lewis, then director of the archives for the Diocese of Raleigh, 'when a church moves, as from Immaculate Conception in Halifax to St. John the Baptist in Roanoke Rapids, it doesn't mean the building moves, it means the people of the parish move.'
- Parish dedicated July 3, 1931 in Roanoke Rapids
- Mission church in Halifax dates to 1889
- Diocese of Raleigh parish
- Centennial-era parish serving the Roanoke Valley / Lake Gaston area
The Immaculate Conception Mission Church in Historic Halifax
The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Halifax is the parish's historic mission, dedicated May 5, 1889 with Father Thomas Frederick Price celebrating the High Mass. The parish continues to oversee its care today; the church is open several times a year in conjunction with events at the historical site, and Mass is celebrated there for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Visitors are invited to contact the parish to arrange a tour.
- Dedicated May 5, 1889 by Father Thomas F. Price
- Only 19th-century Gothic Revival-style frame Catholic church in North Carolina still standing in virtually its original state
- Third oldest Catholic church still in use in North Carolina
- Mass celebrated annually on December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1997)
Architecture of the Halifax Mission
Designed by Philadelphia architect Edwin Forrest Durang, the Immaculate Conception Church is a Late Gothic Revival frame building approximately 20 feet wide and 37 feet deep. It features a pair of asymmetrical projecting corner towers and lancet-arch window openings, and survives today with remarkable preservation. The adjacent Michael Ferrall Family Cemetery contains the family vault built in 1859.
- Architect: Edwin Forrest Durang (Philadelphia)
- Style: Late Gothic Revival
- Dimensions: ~20 ft wide × 37 ft deep
- Features: asymmetrical projecting corner towers, lancet-arch windows
- Adjacent: Michael Ferrall Family Cemetery with 1859 vault
Father Thomas F. Price and the Catholic History of Halifax
Father Thomas Frederick Price, the first native North Carolinian to be ordained a Catholic priest, celebrated the High Mass at the 1889 dedication of Immaculate Conception and is credited with gathering the community to build it. He later co-founded the Maryknoll Fathers and his cause for canonization is being processed at the Vatican. The Ferrall family had hosted Catholic worship on the property since the 1820s — Michael Ferrall settled in Halifax in 1825 and was visited by priests sent from Bishop John England as early as 1829 — before the present church was built on land conveyed to the Catholic Church by Ferrall's estate in 1889 for $100.
- Servant of God Father Thomas Frederick Price, first native North Carolinian ordained a Catholic priest
- Co-founder of the Maryknoll Fathers
- Cause for canonization open at the Vatican
- Michael Ferrall family hosted Catholic worship in Halifax from the 1820s
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is currently served by Parochial Administrator Rev. John M.P. De Guzman and Deacon Bernie (Bernard) Zdancewicz, who also serves as Director of Faith Formation. Katie Ammann serves as Director of Music and Parish Secretary. Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to reach out to the pastor or any staff member with questions or requests for support.
- Rev. John M.P. De Guzman — Parochial Administrator ([email protected])
- Deacon Bernie Zdancewicz — Deacon & Director of Faith Formation
- Ms. Katie Ammann — Director of Music & Secretary
Sacraments
St. John the Baptist prepares parishioners for the full sacramental life of the Church, from Baptism through Holy Orders. Parents and adults are asked to contact the parish office for the appropriate preparation classes and timelines.
- Baptism — pre-baptismal class required
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — 2nd grade or older, one year of prior Religion classes
- Confirmation — 2-year program beginning in 8th/9th grade
- Anointing of the Sick — contact pastor before surgery or when seriously ill/hospitalized/homebound
- Matrimony — contact the pastor at least six months in advance
- Holy Orders — single Catholic men ages 16–49 invited to inquire
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith Formation is led by Deacon Bernie Zdancewicz. The parish places particular emphasis on its dynamic High School Youth Ministry, alongside programs for young adults, sacramental preparation, and ongoing formation for parishioners of all ages.
- Director of Faith Formation: Deacon Bernie Zdancewicz
- High School Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
- Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist, Confirmation, etc.
Parish Ministries and Outreach
The parish community lives its mission through Liturgy, Sacraments, Fellowship, and Service, with active outreach to those most in need in the Roanoke Valley. Music ministry, led by Director of Music Katie Ammann, supports the parish's liturgical life, and the Knights of Columbus council associated with the parish (council #89) supports its apostolic work.
- Outreach to those most in need
- Music Ministry (Director: Katie Ammann)
- Knights of Columbus — parish council #89
- Fellowship and parish activities
Columbarium and Memorial Garden
Between the church, parish hall, and parish office sits the parish's columbarium, a memorial garden that allows parishioners to remain part of the parish community from birth through death. Recent additions to the campus include new restrooms in the church building.
- Columbarium between church, parish hall and parish office
- Memorial garden setting
- Inquiries: contact the parish office to learn about purchasing a niche
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
The parish welcomes all who wish to attend Mass, learn about the Catholic faith, or join the community. Inquiries, sacramental requests, and tours of the historic Immaculate Conception church in Halifax can be arranged through the parish office.
- Address: 900 Hamilton Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 (Mailing: P.O. Box 116, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870-0116)
- Phone: (252) 537-4667
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://sjbrr.com
- Facebook: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (Roanoke Rapids)
- Just five minutes from I-95
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Marlon A. Mendieta-Rodas
Listed as Pastor in Knights of Columbus directory
- Very Rev. Pius Wekesa
Listed as Parochial Administrator on joinmychurch.com archive; bilingual (English/Spanish) pastorate period
- Rev. John M.P. De Guzman
Current Parochial Administrator as published on sjbrr.com and the Diocese of Raleigh