About St. Mary · Laurinburg, North Carolina
St. Mary Catholic Parish is a bilingual English/Spanish Catholic parish located at 800 South Main Street in Laurinburg, North Carolina, serving Scotland County and the surrounding Sandhills region as part of the Diocese of Raleigh. The parish has roots going back to the early 1900s, when Catholic families in Laurinburg first gathered for Mass in private homes before the original Saint Mary Church was dedicated in 1915. Today the parish is pastored by Fr. Cyriac John and assisted by Deacon Juan Alexander (Alex) Vicent-Martínez, offering a Saturday Vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses (English and Spanish), weekday Masses in the Chapel of Divine Mercy, a faith formation program, and ongoing community life through a parish council, finance council, and parish bingo nights.
- Established
- 1915
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Cyriac John
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. Mary Laurinburg is a small, bilingual parish that combines a deep local history dating back to 1915 with active contemporary ministries. Parishioners gather for English and Spanish Masses each Sunday, weekday Masses in the Chapel of Divine Mercy, regular Confession on Saturdays and Sundays, faith formation for children, and a parish council and finance council that keeps the community running. The parish also hosts Monday Night BINGO as a fellowship fundraiser, making it easy for newcomers to meet other families while supporting the church.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- And by appointment
Welcome to St. Mary Catholic Parish
St. Mary Catholic Parish is a warm, bilingual Catholic community in Laurinburg, North Carolina, part of the Diocese of Raleigh. With more than a century of Catholic presence in the Sandhills, the parish offers English and Spanish Masses, weekday Mass in the Chapel of Divine Mercy, faith formation for children, and active parish and finance councils. The current pastor is Reverend Cyriac John, assisted by Deacon Juan Alexander (Alex) Vicent-Martínez.
History of Saint Mary Catholic Parish
Catholic life in Laurinburg began before 1900 when railroad superintendent Captain James Maglenn arranged for Mass for roughly twenty local Catholic families. After the railroad yards moved to Hamlet, Mass was celebrated in private homes from 1905 to 1915. The original Saint Mary Church was built on Caledonia Road in 1915, and Father Paul Termer became the first resident pastor in 1917. In 1945 the parish moved to its present South Main Street location; the sanctuary was renovated and a fellowship hall added in 1980, and a new rectory completed in March 1982. The parish has continued to grow with new families and new industry in the area.
- First Mass in Laurinburg: before 1900 (home gatherings for ~20 families)
- Old Saint Mary Church dedicated: 1915, Caledonia Road
- First resident pastor: Father Paul Termer, 1917 (based in Hamlet)
- Current site acquired: 1945, from John F. McNair
- Saint Margaret's Hall dedicated: October 18, 1959
- Sanctuary renovated & fellowship hall added: November 1, 1980
- Church re-dedication: January 13, 1981
- New rectory completed: March 1982
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is served by a small but dedicated staff and lay leadership team, listed on the parish's official Staff page.
- Pastor: Rev. Cyriac John
- Deacon: Juan Alexander (Alex) Vicent-Martínez
- Administrative Assistant: Rosy English
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Bernadette Bowen
- Parish Council Chairperson: Michael Catanzsarite
- Finance Council Chairperson: Mathew Pracht
- Trustees: Doug Bowen & Jim Kirby
- Office: 910-276-4468
- Rectory: 910-534-1514
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation classes for children are coordinated by Bernadette Bowen and meet on Sundays from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM. The program prepares children for the Sacraments of Initiation and supports parents as the primary educators of their children in the faith.
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Bernadette Bowen
- Class time: Sundays 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
- Aims: First Sacraments preparation, ongoing religious education
Parish Life & Fundraising
Beyond the sacraments, the parish offers ongoing fellowship and fundraising activities that bring parishioners together. Monday Night BINGO is a regular parish event that doubles as both a social gathering and a fundraiser for Saint Mary.
- Monday Night BINGO — weekly fellowship and fundraiser
- Parish Council — community leadership and planning
- Finance Council — stewardship of parish finances
- Board of Trustees — Doug Bowen & Jim Kirby
Visit Us — Address, Phone & Giving
Visitors are warmly welcomed at 800 South Main Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352. The parish office can be reached at 910-276-4468 and the rectory at 910-534-1514. Donations may be mailed to Saint Mary Catholic Church, 800 South Main Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352.
- Address: 800 South Main Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352
- Office phone: 910-276-4468
- Rectory phone: 910-534-1514
- Mailing address for donations: Saint Mary Catholic Church, 800 South Main Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352
- Website: saintmaryparishlaurinburg.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Paul Termer1917–
First resident pastor (based in Hamlet with Laurinburg as a mission).
- Father Michael Carey1945–
First resident pastor at the present South Main Street site, which he acquired from John F. McNair.
- Father James Noonan1948–1958
Established a building fund and began planning for a new church.
- Father John L. Richardson1958–1963
Oversaw construction of Saint Margaret's Hall, dedicated October 18, 1959.
- Father Francis T. Connolly1963–1971
- Father Patrick N. Gallager1964–1969
- Father Robert T. Lawson1969–1971
- Father Michael P. Shugrue1971–1975
- Father Kevin C. Fahey, O.S.B.1975–1978
Benedictine priest.
- Father Francis J. Murphy1978–
Led the 1980 building campaign, sanctuary renovation, fellowship hall addition, and 1981 church dedication.
- Reverend Cyriac John
Current pastor.