St. Katharine Drexel

Parish History

St. Katharine Drexel Parish was formed in 2002 by the merger of St. Joan of Arc in Alton (a mission since 1888, a parish since 1961, destroyed by fire on May 11, 2000) and St. Cecilia in Wolfeboro (traced to the 1880s Church of the Sacred Heart, dedicated as St. Cecilia in 1908, and moved to South Main Street in 1941). Fr. George Ham became founding pastor; in July 2004 ground was broken for a new Romanesque-style church near the junction of Routes 28 and 28A, which was dedicated on July 30, 2005. The lower level was dedicated in 2006 to Msgr. Leo St. Pierre, longtime pastor of St. Cecilia, and the St. Paul's Mission in Barnstead was closed in 2006. After Fr. Ham's death in January 2008, Fr. Robert Cole became pastor in April 2008 and continues to serve.

• St. Joan of Arc mission began 1888; parish established 1961; church destroyed by fire May 11, 2000
• St. Cecilia (originally Sacred Heart) dedicated 1908; moved to South Main Street 1941
• Merged 2002; new church dedicated July 30, 2005
• Founding pastor Fr. George Ham served 2002–2008; Fr. Robert Cole since April 2008

Our Patron: Saint Katharine Drexel

The parish is named for Saint Katharine Drexel (1858–1955), the Philadelphia heiress who gave up a life of wealth to become a religious sister and founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, dedicating her life and fortune to the service of Native Americans and African Americans. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000 — a little more than two months before the fire that would lead to the founding of this parish. Her feast day is March 3.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Lifelong faith formation at St. Katharine Drexel is organized into four tracks: Pre-School, Children/Youth, Young Adult, and Families/Adults. Children's formation uses a Sunday model of 'Liturgical Catechesis': children attend the 8:30 AM Mass with their families, then move to age/grade level sessions in the parish hall from 9:30 to 10:20 AM, with coffee and refreshments served. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation (Lent of grade 2), First Eucharist (grade 3), and Confirmation (combined with First Eucharist in one celebration with the Bishop, spring of grade 3 or fall of grade 4) runs alongside the regular curriculum. Catechists volunteer to teach on Sundays between Masses, and a breakfast is served as part of the program.

• Pre-School programs
• Sunday Faith Formation for Children & Youth
• Liturgical Catechesis (begins with 8:30 AM Mass)
• First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation
• Young Adult ministry
• Families/Adults programs

OCIA — Becoming Catholic

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), with the help of parish volunteers, prepares men and women to be received into the Catholic Church. The parish also hosts 'Discovery' meetings for those inquiring about the faith.

• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
• Discovery meetings for inquirers

Adult & Family Education

Ongoing adult education is offered throughout the year, primarily on Friday mornings from 9:00 to 10:30 AM in the parish hall — with coffee, refreshments, and a social time following the 8:00 AM Mass. Some studies run concurrently on Monday evenings. Past studies have included 'Jesus: The Way, the Truth and the Life' (Spring 2025), 'What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith' (Fall 2024), 'No Greater Love' (Lent 2024), 'The Mystery of God' (Spring 2024), 'Parousia' (Lent 2023), 'Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist' (Fall 2023), 'Prayer' (Advent 2023), and 'Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother' (Advent 2022). The current Fall 2025 study is 'Luke: The Story of Salvation Fulfilled.' Monthly family/intergenerational sessions are offered September through May.

• Friday morning adult studies (9:00–10:30 AM) with some Monday evening options
• Current Fall 2025 study: 'Luke: The Story of Salvation Fulfilled'
• Monthly intergenerational family sessions Sept–May

Parish Ministries & Service

St. Katharine Drexel offers a wide range of liturgical and service ministries. Liturgical roles include Choir, Cantor, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (at Mass, in homes, and at the hospital), Greeters, Ushers, Altar Servers (children at weekend Masses; adults at weekdays and special services), Sacristans, and the Altar Society (which prepares the sanctuary and decorates for the seasons). Outreach and charity works include Friendly Visitors to the homebound, a Welcoming Committee for new parishioners, the Coat Rack clothing program, Sunday Breakfast, the Giving Tree, and Spirit Bundle holiday projects. Faith-formation catechists, the parish Bookstore and Library (originally run by the Daughters of St. Paul of Boston), Respect Life (Light House), and Advisory Committees (Pastoral Council and Finance Council) round out the parish's life.

• Music: Choir and Cantor
• Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Greeters, Ushers, Altar Servers, Sacristans, Altar Society
• Outreach: Friendly Visitors, Welcoming Committee
• Charity: Coat Rack, Sunday Breakfast, Giving Tree, Spirit Bundle
• Respect Life / Light House
• Bookstore and Library; Advisory Committees (Pastoral Council, Finance Council)

Parish Resources for Pregnant Moms & Outreach

In addition to regional resources, the parish recommends local partners: Giving Life Ministries Food Pantry in Wolfeboro, a Social Services Information Guide, the parish-run Coat Rack (clothing for children and families), and short-term/emergency-needs assistance coordinated by Deacon Rick. Inquiries are handled through the parish office.

• Giving Life Ministries Food Pantry (Wolfeboro)
• The Coat Rack — parish clothing program
• Emergency needs assistance via Deacon Rick and the parish office

Fr. George Ham Memorial Fund & Youth Scholarships

Established in memory of founding pastor Fr. George Ham, the Memorial Fund continues his legacy of supporting the parish's young people. Since 2014, the Fr. George Ham Memorial Fund Scholarship has been awarded to graduating high school seniors who serve their parish, school, and community as disciples of faith. The first James Foley Memorial Scholarship was presented in June 2016, and the Fr. Richard Wegman Memorial Scholarship — honoring the former pastor of St. Joan of Arc who died in December 2017 — was first awarded in 2018 to a parish senior intending to pursue business, music, or to discern a vocation. The Fund has also sent teens to NH Catholic Youthfest and the Steubenville East Conferences, financially assisted pilgrims to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, and supported youth on mission trips.

• Fr. George Ham Memorial Fund Scholarship (since 2014)
• James Foley Memorial Scholarship (since 2016)
• Fr. Richard Wegman Memorial Scholarship (since 2018)
• Supported youth at NH Catholic Youthfest, Steubenville East, and World Youth Day 2011 (Madrid)

Clergy & Staff

The parish is served by pastor Fr. Robert Cole and three deacons: Deacon Chris Conley, Deacon Charlie Ferraro, and Deacon Rick Hilton. Faith Formation is coordinated by Gertrude Hammond, who can be reached through the parish office. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to noon.

• Pastor: Fr. Robert Cole (ordained 1972)
• Deacon Chris Conley
• Deacon Charlie Ferraro
• Deacon Rick Hilton
• Faith Formation: Gertrude Hammond

Visit, Contact & Livestream

St. Katharine Drexel welcomes visitors and newcomers to any of its Masses or events, in person or online. The 10:30 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed from the church, and other Masses are also broadcast occasionally. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to noon, and can be reached by phone at (603) 875-2548 or by email at [email protected]. The street address is 40 Hidden Springs Road, Alton, NH 03809; the mailing address is PO Box 180, Wolfeboro, NH 03894.

• Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• Phone: (603) 875-2548
• Email: [email protected]
• Sunday 10:30 AM Mass livestreamed; other Masses occasionally as well