About St. Leo the Great · Winston-Salem, North Carolina
St. Leo the Great Catholic Church is a thriving Catholic parish located at 335 Springdale Avenue in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, part of the Diocese of Charlotte. The parish serves the Piedmont Triad Catholic community with a full schedule of weekend and weekday Masses, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school (PreK–8), extensive faith-formation and youth-ministry programs, and active outreach including Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council #2829. It is currently led by Pastor Very Reverend Christopher M. Gober, V.F., together with two Parochial Vicars and two Deacons, supported by a large lay staff.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- Pope St. Leo I (the Great), Doctor of the Church
- Rector
- Very Reverend Christopher M. Gober, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
St. Leo the Great offers a full Catholic life in the heart of Winston-Salem: multiple daily and weekend Masses, near-perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (including weekday mornings and Wednesdays), a thriving parish school that was the first in the Diocese of Charlotte to win a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon, faith formation for PreK through eighth grade, a Life Teen / YDisciple / CREDO youth program, adult Bible study and formation, the very active Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council #2829 and Columbiettes, and concrete outreach through Catholic Charities, the Parish Holiday Outreach, the Samaritan Ministries men's shelter and a prison ministry at the Forsyth County Jail. Registered parishioners also benefit from a subsidized tuition rate at St. Leo Catholic School and the full sacramental life of the parish — Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, marriage, Anointing of the Sick and funeral rites.
Mass times at St. Leo the Great
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
- Saturday following the 8:00 AM Mass (≈ 8:30 AM)
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Daily (Monday – Saturday) 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
- First Friday of the Month 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
History of the Parish
The Catholic Church in Winston-Salem began in 1885 with only three Catholic families in the city. Benedictine Fathers from Belmont Abbey, near Charlotte, began missionary work in Forsyth County in 1886, with the first Mass celebrated in private homes by Fr. Gross. Property at Fourth Street and Brookstown Avenue was purchased in 1891, a small church was built there, and by 1903 a rectory had been added. The first resident pastor was Fr. Thomas Stapleton, O.S.B. (1905–1907), followed by Fr. George Lester (1907–1913) and Fr. Willibald Baumgartner, O.S.B., who in 1916 started the building fund for the present English Gothic church on a Springdale Avenue site donated by Mr. Zaffaroni Angelo. Under Fr. Jerome Finn, O.S.B., the cornerstone was laid January 15, 1928, the first Mass was offered in the unfinished building, and the church was completed in 1929. A 1,000-pound bronze bell, purchased from St. Paul's Episcopal Church, was hung in the tower in 1930.
Benedictine Era to Diocesan Transition
In 1942, St. Leo was transferred from the Benedictine Order to the Diocese of Raleigh, and Fr. Michael J. Begley was named its first diocesan pastor. He welcomed the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania in 1943, who opened the Villa Maria Anna Academy in 1949 (the first Catholic grammar school in Winston-Salem) and, in 1953, founded St. Leo Catholic School next door — dedicated May 16, 1954 — and Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in 1959. Fr. Begley later became the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Charlotte. Monsignor Showfety led a major restoration of the church (notably the bell tower and sanctuary, using marble salvaged by Francis Gibbons) and oversaw the construction and September 15, 1991 dedication of the Bishop Begley Activity Center, named for his predecessor. The Sisters of St. Joseph served the parish's schools faithfully until 2021.
St. Leo Catholic School
Founded in 1953 and dedicated in 1954, St. Leo Catholic School (333 Springdale Avenue) is the oldest operating Catholic school in Winston-Salem. It serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade and offers a strong Catholic foundation paired with academic excellence. In 2005 it became the first Catholic school in the Diocese of Charlotte to receive the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School designation, and in 2013 it was named a 'School of Innovation' by Today's Catholic Teacher magazine. St. Leo Catholic School is fully accredited through Lumen Accreditation in good standing with The Catholic University of America, effective July 1, 2024. Registered parishioners of St. Leo the Great receive a subsidized tuition rate.
- Pre-K through 8th grade
- First Catholic Blue Ribbon School in the Diocese of Charlotte (2005)
- School of Innovation — Today's Catholic Teacher (2013)
- Lumen Accredited, in good standing with The Catholic University of America (2024)
- Principal: Katie Nance ([email protected])
Worship & Sacraments
The parish offers a full schedule of Masses, daily Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, weddings, funerals, and Communion visits to the sick and homebound. The current schedule (see Mass Times / Confession / Adoration fields above) is published on the parish website at stleocatholic.org/worship.
Funerals and Weddings
Funerals at St. Leo follow a published Saint Leo Funeral Planner, with reading and hymn selections and a planning sheet; a place of burial must be confirmed before a Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled. Couples wishing to marry at St. Leo must contact Mary Beth Young ([email protected]) and review the parish Wedding Guidelines before booking a venue — at least six full months of marriage preparation must elapse before the earliest possible wedding date.
Faith Formation for Children
St. Leo the Great offers Faith Formation classes for children from Pre-K through 8th Grade, beginning the Sunday after Labor Day each September. The program supports families in growing together in faith through prayer, Scripture, engaging lessons, sacramental preparation, and community experiences. It is made possible by parish volunteers; adults interested in teaching, assisting, or supporting behind the scenes are welcomed. Contact: Director of Faith Formation Lauren Garner ([email protected]).
Sacramental Preparation
Baptism is celebrated twice a month on Saturdays at 10:00 AM by appointment; parents must be registered/active parishioners for at least three months and attend a monthly Baptism Preparation Class. First Reconciliation is prepared September–mid-January and celebrated mid-January; First Holy Communion is prepared February–May and celebrated in early May (both traditionally in 2nd grade). Confirmation is normally celebrated in the spring of 8th grade, with at least one prior year of religious education required. Classes for First Reconciliation meet at 9:00 AM in the Monsignor Showfety Room.
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. Leo runs YDisciple for high school students and CREDO for junior high, along with a Life Teen Sunday-night Mass during the school year (Sept.–May at 5:00 PM). Youth Coordinator Amber Brown oversees the high school program; Colton Brown coordinates the junior high program. Camp Bosco is a multi-parish overnight summer camp held at Belmont Abbey College, organized by St. Leo as an extension of the youth group.
- Life Teen Mass — Sundays 5:00 PM, September–May
- YDisciple (HS) — Coordinator: Amber Brown ([email protected], 336.724.9596)
- CREDO (JH) — Coordinator: Colton Brown ([email protected])
- Camp Bosco — overnight summer camp at Belmont Abbey College
Adult Formation & Bible Study
Adult Formation opportunities include a Wednesday Morning Bible Study (9:30–11:15 AM) and additional seasonal courses offered to the parish community. Contact the parish office at 336.724.0561 for current offerings.
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical volunteers are essential to weekend and daily Masses. Altar Servers (open to students beginning in grade 3) are trained through sessions run by Stefanie Bates ([email protected]). Lectors proclaim the first and second Scripture readings at Mass. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist with the distribution of Holy Communion and carry Communion to the sick in homes and assisted-living facilities.
Parish Life & Fraternal Organizations
The Parish Life Commission brings together the parish's social, fraternal, and outreach organizations. The Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council #2829 is 'a big part of our parish community' (Grand Knight: Wesley Riley, [email protected]; website: http://www.kofc2829.org/). The Columbiettes are a Catholic women's auxiliary of the Knights, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Thérèse the Little Flower, and St. Joan of Arc, supporting the Council spiritually, socially, and financially.
Outreach & Charity
St. Leo extends Catholic Social Teaching beyond the parish through several ministries: the Holiday Outreach program (Christmas and Easter meals/gifts to families in need), a prison ministry at the Forsyth County Jail bringing the Eucharist and the Word about 40 times per year, support for Samaritan Ministries (overnight men's shelter, soup-kitchen volunteering, annual Penny Campaign fundraiser), and ongoing donations to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charlotte's Winston-Salem office (1612 14th Street NE), whose food pantry list includes soup, rice, canned tuna, peanut butter, beans, pasta, fruit, tortillas, jelly, Maseca flour, and personal-care items.
Visitation Ministry
St. Leo is expanding its Visitation Ministry to offer friendship and companionship to Catholic residents in local nursing homes and the homebound — distinct from those who bring Holy Communion. Volunteers visit, listen, and offer the reassurance of the parish family, with training and guidance provided by Fr. Christian. Visits can be scheduled at flexible times.
Staff & Leadership
Pastor Very Reverend Christopher M. Gober, V.F. is assisted by Parochial Vicars Reverend Peter Rusciolelli and Reverend Christian Goduti, and Deacons Dr. Ralph D'Agostino, Jr. and Carl Brown. The lay staff includes Director of Finance Jim Agar; Director of Faith Formation Lauren Garner; Director of Sacred Music Elizabeth Salter; YDisciple (HS) Coordinator Amber Brown; CREDO (JH) Coordinator Colton Brown; Principal Katie Nance; Facilities Director James Clements; Maintenance Technician Ed Tuck; Bulletin Editor Mary Margaret Yodzis; Assistant to the Pastor / Communications Mary Beth Young; Administrative Assistant & Baptism Coordinator Susan King; and Finance Assistant Joanna Salvatore. The Pastoral Council is chaired by Greg Krull (president), and the Finance Council by Jerry Enos (president).
Joining the Parish
St. Leo welcomes new parishioners via an online registration form. Registered parishioners financially support the parish and the Diocesan Support Appeal through online giving or weekly offertory envelopes, enjoy the full sacramental life of the Church (Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, weddings, funerals), are included in parish educational and spiritual opportunities, and receive a subsidized tuition rate at St. Leo Catholic School for their children. According to the parish's own teaching, 'a parish church is a spiritual family, a communion of disciples of the Lord Jesus.'
Campus & Facilities
The parish campus at 335 Springdale Avenue includes the 1929 English Gothic church and the Bishop Begley Parish Center (also called the Bishop Begley Activity Center, dedicated 1991), which hosts the simultaneous 10:30 AM Sunday Mass and most parish activities. The Cry Room is on the main level of the Parish Center, and changing tables are available in the men's and women's restrooms on that level — making the campus especially welcoming for families with young children.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Gross (Benedictine mission priest)1886–
First Mass in Winston-Salem homes for the small Catholic community of three families.
- Fr. Thomas Stapleton1905–1907
First resident pastor of the parish.
- Fr. George Lester1907–1913
Succeeded Fr. Stapleton.
- Fr. Willibald Baumgartner, O.S.B.1916–
Started the building fund for the current English Gothic church; site donated by Mr. Zaffaroni Angelo.
- Fr. Jerome Finn, O.S.B.1927–1929
Began construction of the Springdale Ave. church; cornerstone laid Jan. 15, 1928; first Mass offered in the unfinished building; completed 1929.
- Fr. Michael J. Begley1942–
First diocesan pastor after the parish was transferred from the Benedictines to the Diocese of Raleigh in 1942; welcomed the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1943; later became first Bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte.
- Monsignor Showfety
Pastored during a period of major church restoration and the building/dedication of the Bishop Begley Activity Center (Sept. 15, 1991); former chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte.