About St. Mark · Wilmington, North Carolina
St. Mark Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Raleigh located at 1011 Eastwood Road in Wilmington, North Carolina. Formally established on July 16, 1976 as a new parish to relieve the growing St. Therese community, it has grown into a vibrant faith community of more than 2,000 registered families, 30 active ministries, and a Catholic school with over 500 students. The parish celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and its mission is to 'invite, inspire, educate, and lead people to know and love Jesus Christ.'
- Established
- 1976
- Patron
- St. Mark (the Evangelist)
- Rector
- Reverend Gregory D. Spencer
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. Mark welcomes visitors and new parishioners regardless of present church status, family situation, personal history, or background, and offers a Catholic stewardship community focused on faith, prayer, and growth. The parish combines comprehensive catechesis for all ages — including a thriving K-8 Catholic school, Children's Faith Formation, and RCIA — with about 30 active ministries, social and fellowship events, Bible groups, and discipleship opportunities. With Masses in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, plus Friday Adoration, it serves as a vibrant hub for Catholics in the Wilmington area.
Mass times at St. Mark
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Extended during Advent and Lent: Wednesdays 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Saturdays 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (chapel; hours subject to change — check Facebook, bulletin, website, or call the parish office)
- Extended during Lent: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
History of St. Mark Catholic Church
St. Mark Catholic Church was formally established on July 16, 1976 when Fr. Frank Moeslein was appointed its first pastor. The parish grew out of St. Therese in Wrightsville Beach, which had been built in 1934 to serve 60 families but by 1976 had grown to nearly 300 families. Rev. Raymond J. Donohue helped the Diocese of Raleigh acquire land in Windemere, and Msgr. Louis E. Morton assembled preliminary building plans. The capital campaign launched in October 1976, groundbreaking took place June 12, 1977, and the first rectory at 145 Tanbridge Road was purchased that same month. During construction, Masses were held at the Episcopal Church of the Servant and faith formation classes at Windemere Presbyterian Church.
- Founded July 16, 1976
- First Pastor: Fr. Frank Moeslein
- Groundbreaking: June 12, 1977
- Parish Hall & education wing dedicated October 1, 1978 by Bishop F. Joseph Gossman
- Present sanctuary and chapel dedicated January 1996
- Mission parish Christ the King in Riegelwood established 1999
- Columbarium completed 2013
- New rectory purchased 2021; library/educational rooms added 2022
Mission, Vision & Welcome
The mission of St. Mark Catholic Church is to invite, inspire, educate, and lead people to know and love Jesus Christ, to understand and live the Catholic faith, and to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel through love and service to one another. The parish welcomes visitors and new parishioners regardless of present church status, family situation, personal history, age, background, race, or self-image. Registered parishioners receive parish updates, online giving options, and access to a stewardship community focused on faith, prayer, and growth.
- Welcomes all regardless of background
- Registration options: in-person (Mon–Fri 9am–1pm), download/print form, email, mail, Sunday collection basket, or dropbox
- Office staff available Mon–Fri 9am–4pm by phone, email, or appointment
- Uses Realm parish community portal for parishioner connection
Clergy & Staff
St. Mark is served by a pastor, two parochial vicars, and two deacons. Parish office staff coordinate faith formation, communications, business, and community outreach.
- Pastor: Reverend Gregory D. Spencer
- Parochial Vicar: Reverend Cesar Torres Martinez
- Parochial Vicar: Reverend Pius K. Wekesa
- Deacon: Rick Tucek
- Deacon: Edwin Jeff(ress) Jolly
- Parish Office Coordinator: Dawn Wood ([email protected], 910-398-6508)
- Director of Communications: Cecilia 'Cici' Yeager ([email protected], 910-398-6515)
- Director of Children's Faith Formation: Anne Doyle ([email protected], 910-398-6511)
- Community Liaison: Mary Mason ([email protected], 910-398-6518)
- Campus Business Manager: Denise Leuci ([email protected], 910-398-6526)
- RCIA contact: Paul Townend ([email protected], 910-386-6468)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Mark offers religious education for children and adults. The elementary Children's Faith Formation program serves Grades 1–5 on Wednesday afternoons and evenings, with a two-year sacramental preparation track for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Older children who have not yet received their First Sacraments can enroll in Out-of-Sequence classes. Adults exploring the Catholic faith are welcomed through the RCIA process.
- Children's Faith Formation: Grades 1–5, Wednesdays 4:15–5:30 PM or 6:30–7:45 PM
- Classes held at St. Mark Catholic School during the regular school year
- Sacramental prep is a 2-year program (typically Grades 1 & 2)
- Out-of-Sequence classes for children above Grade 2 needing First Sacraments
- RCIA for adults — contact Paul Townend, 910-386-6468 or [email protected]
- Bible groups, discipleship, and discernment opportunities for adults
St. Mark Catholic School
St. Mark Catholic School opened in fall 2002 after a Capital Campaign that raised more than $2 million. The school has grown to serve more than 500 students with over 50 teachers and staff members and is now home to a Pre-K program through 8th grade. The school's vision — 'Children of today... Christian leaders of tomorrow' — guides an education that is academic, spiritual, and physical.
- Opened fall 2002 (Grades K–6)
- Pre-K 4 program (full-day; students must be 4 by August 31)
- First 8th grade class graduated 2005
- Our Lady of Victory Center (school gym) and additional classrooms added in 2012
- Over 500 students and 50+ staff/teachers today
- Weekly school Mass; religion classes daily
- Faith in Action service projects: Mary's Meals, St. Jude cards, coat/blanket drives, Thanksgiving dinners, juvenile detention Valentine packages, recycling stewardship
- Community partners with parish groups, local businesses, and neighbors
Service Projects & Outreach
Faith Formation families and parish ministries run service projects throughout the year that reach both the local Wilmington community and the wider world. During Lent, classes compete to raise money for Mary's Meals, which feeds children in Third World schools; in October, the parish distributes Box of Joy shoeboxes through Cross Catholic Outreach; and during Advent, the long-running Angel Tree Program provides clothing and gifts to needy families.
- Mary's Meals — Lenten almsgiving; $20–$30 feeds a child for a school year
- Box of Joy — Cross Catholic Outreach Christmas shoeboxes for Haiti, Guatemala, and other countries (each box includes a rosary and a Story of Jesus booklet in the child's language)
- St. Mark Angel Tree Program — Christmas gifts for children and adults of needy families (angel selection begins early December)
- Outreach to local needy families, Catholic school faith-action service projects
Becoming a Parishioner
Registration is open year-round and can be completed in person at the parish office, by downloading and returning a paper form, or via the church dropbox. After registration, new parishioners receive a welcome email, a welcome packet in the mail, and an invitation to Realm, the parish's online community portal. Registration supports sacramental eligibility (sponsors, godparents) and preferred admittance to parish schools.
- In-person registration: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Phone, email, or appointment: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, 910-398-6508
- Forms available at the Welcome Center in the Gathering Space and the parish office lobby
- Submit forms by email, mail, Sunday collection basket, in person, or dropbox
- Welcome packet includes starter giving envelopes within 2 weeks
- Online giving set-up instructions sent via welcome email
Facilities & Campus
The St. Mark campus includes the sanctuary and chapel (dedicated 1996), a Parish Hall and education wing (dedicated 1978, extended 1991), a columbarium outside the chapel (completed 2013), St. Mark Catholic School (opened 2002) with the Our Lady of Victory Center gym (2012), and a rectory purchased in 2021. In 2022 two educational rooms and a kitchenette were added to the library to create additional meeting spaces for ministries and groups.
- 1011 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403-1905
- Sanctuary and chapel (1996) seats more than 2,500 families
- Parish Hall updated in 2013 with new flooring, acoustics, A/V, and lighting
- Columbarium outside the chapel (2013)
- School campus with Our Lady of Victory Center gym (2012)
- New rectory (2021); expanded library/ministry meeting space (2022)
- Mission parish: Christ the King, Riegelwood, NC
Connect & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can stay up to date through the parish website, Facebook, and Instagram pages, where schedule changes (especially for Adoration and holidays) are posted. The chapel is open for personal prayer Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
- Website: http://stmarkcc.net/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkwilm/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stmarkwilm/
- Live-streamed Mass available online
- Office email: [email protected]
- Office phone: 910-398-6508
- From I-40: take left exit, follow signs to Route 74 / Wrightsville Beach — church on the left
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Frank Moeslein1976 (founding)
First pastor of St. Mark; simultaneously administrator of St. Therese, Wrightsville Beach.
- Rev. Raymond J. Donohue
Assisted the Diocese of Raleigh in acquiring the Windemere land for the new parish.
- Msgr. Louis E. Morton
Assembled preliminary plans for the physical building.
- Reverend Gregory D. Spencerpresent
Current pastor, per the Diocese of Raleigh parish listing.