About St. Mary's Catholic Church · Mobile, Alabama
St. Mary's Catholic Parish is a historic Catholic community located in midtown Mobile, Alabama, founded in 1867 by Bishop John Quinlan and serving the western section of the city for more than 150 years. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Mobile and shares its campus on Old Shell Road with St. Mary's Catholic School (one of Alabama's oldest Catholic schools) and an Early Child Development Center. Today's parish is led by the Very Reverend Stephen G. Vrazel and offers daily and Sunday Masses, a strong school and CCD program, an active RCIA process, Eucharistic Adoration, and a wide range of fellowship, service, and fundraising ministries for families and adults of all ages.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen G. Vrazel (Very Reverend)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Mobile
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a 150-year-old midtown Mobile parish where the rhythms of Catholic life are woven tightly into parish and school community. Daily Mass is offered Tuesday through Friday, with Eucharistic Adoration every Friday (6:30 AM – 4:00 PM in the Chapel) and Tuesdays and Thursdays (5:00 – 6:00 PM in the Main Church), a free adult RCIA process each Thursday, a Catholic school and Early Child Development Center, a school-based CCD program for First Reconciliation and Communion, Confirmation classes during Lent, and lively groups like the Women of St. Mary's, the Men's Club, the Knights of Columbus, and Marriage Nights — plus beloved parish-wide events such as Trunk or Treat, Lighting Up Midtown, Trivia Night, and the Steak Out Series. Newcomers are warmly invited into this tradition of worship, formation, fellowship, and service.
Mass times at St. Mary's Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (with Holy Hour)
- Thursday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (with Holy Hour)
- By appointment — call (251) 432-8678
Adoration times
- Friday: 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM in the Chapel (year-round)
- Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM in the Main Church (with Holy Hour)
- Thursday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM in the Main Church (with Holy Hour)
About St. Mary's Parish
St. Mary's Catholic Parish has served the midtown Mobile community since 1867. According to the parish's own mission statement: 'We, the people of St. Mary's Parish, responding to God's call, come together to live a Catholic Christian life. We invite others to welcome Christ into their lives and strive to build the kingdom of God. We seek to provide an environment for faith-filled worship, ongoing education, and dedicated service to each other and the community.' Whether you are a long-time parishioner or a newcomer, the parish invites you to find a spiritual home here.
History of the Parish
Founded in 1867 by Bishop John Quinlan with the Rev. David O'Meara as its first pastor, St. Mary's grew rapidly through the post–Civil War era. Its second pastor was the celebrated poet-priest Abram J. Ryan (1877–1882). The present Mediterranean-style church, designed by architect John J. Cary, was begun in 1926 and dedicated on February 5, 1928. The parish school, begun in 1871, is staffed by the Sisters of Mercy and remains one of Alabama's oldest Catholic schools. On March 25, 2017, St. Mary's marked its 150th anniversary with a year of celebrations.
- Founded March 1867 by Bishop John Quinlan; original frame church dedicated November 29, 1868
- Poet-priest Abram J. Ryan served 1877–1882
- Present church begun 1926, dedicated February 5, 1928
- Two mission churches spun off: St. Catherine of Siena, Crichton (1914) and St. Joan of Arc (1920)
- St. Mary's Catholic School begun 1871; Sisters of Mercy from Ireland on staff
- 150th Anniversary celebrated March 25, 2017
Our Mission
The parish mission statement, displayed prominently on the website, calls the community to faith-filled worship, ongoing education, and dedicated service. Under the leadership of the Very Reverend Stephen G. Vrazel (pastor since June 2020), the parish continues to invest in its historic church, its school, and its campus facilities.
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by the Very Reverend Stephen G. Vrazel and supported by a permanent deacon, a pastoral assistant, directors of music, development, communications, religious education, and the school leadership team.
- Rev. Stephen G. Vrazel — Pastor (since June 2020)
- Deacon Mark Thompson — Permanent Deacon
- Laurel Wallace — Pastoral Assistant
- Bibi Dodson — Pastoral Assistant
- Marcelle Naman — Director of Development
- Dr. Collin Lowery — Director of Music
- Joe Wong — Communications Director
- Steve Dolan — CCD Director
- Lindsey Binion — Website and Sunday Bulletin Editor
- Corinne Cuffle — St. Mary's School Principal
- Kortnee Acton — Assistant Principal
- Mary Lou Ankersen — Early Child Development Center Director
Sacraments
St. Mary's celebrates all seven sacraments, with preparation coordinated by the parish office and the school/CCD program. Baptism is typically scheduled after a Sunday Mass; First Reconciliation and First Communion are coordinated through the school and CCD; Confirmation classes are held during Lent on Sundays. Weddings must be scheduled at least six months in advance.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
- Confirmation (Lent Sunday classes, 3:00–4:00 PM)
- Eucharist / Holy Communion
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Marriage (6-month prep)
- Anointing of the Sick
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) meets every Thursday from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Sisters of Mercy Building, September through April. The program has no fees and welcomes anyone curious about the Catholic faith, with the journey culminating at the Easter Vigil for those who choose full initiation. The four stages are the Pre-Catechumenate, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogia.
- Thursdays, 7:00–8:00 PM, Sisters of Mercy Building
- September through April
- No fees; open to anyone exploring the Catholic faith
- Contact: Laurel Wallace, [email protected], (251) 432-8542
Faith Formation, School & CCD
St. Mary's Catholic School ('Making Mary Proud since 1867') and an Early Child Development Center share the parish campus, and the parish CCD program supports sacramental preparation for school and non-school families alike.
- St. Mary's Catholic School (K–12), 107 N. Lafayette Street, Mobile, AL 36604, (251) 433-9904
- Early Child Development Center, directed by Mary Lou Ankersen
- CCD program directed by Steve Dolan
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation via school/CCD
- Confirmation classes during Lent
- Altar Server Camp each August (5th–12th grade), directed by Fr. Vrazel
Parish Life & Fellowship
Parish life at St. Mary's is rich and intergenerational, with groups for men, women, couples, and families, plus beloved annual events that draw both parishioners and the broader midtown Mobile community.
- Women of St. Mary's
- St. Mary's Men's Club
- Knights of Columbus
- Marriage Nights (five evenings per year, free childcare)
- Sunday Coffee and Doughnut Socials (first Sundays, between Masses)
- Trunk or Treat (Halloween family event)
- Lighting Up Midtown (annual tree-lighting and Christmas celebration)
- Trivia Night at the Ollis Pavilion
- Steve Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament (Spring Hill College Campus)
- Steak Out Series (three-event fundraiser benefiting the school)
Music & Liturgy
Music Director Dr. Collin Lowery leads the parish's liturgical music ministry and has also hosted a 9-week summer Gregorian Chant class for musicians from across the Archdiocese of Mobile. The parish treasures its restored 1928 sanctuary, stained glass, and updated sound and HVAC systems completed under the 2009–2015 capital campaign.
- Director of Music: Dr. Collin Lowery ([email protected])
- Annual summer Gregorian Chant program serving the diocesan music community
- Restored sanctuary and stained-glass windows (rededicated December 7, 2014)
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person. The church building sits at 1453 Old Shell Road; the Parish Office is across the way at 106 Providence Street.
- Phone: (251) 432-8678
- Email: [email protected] (Pastor)
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Summer: Tue–Thu 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
- Church: 1453 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36604
- Parish Office: 106 Providence Street, Mobile, AL 36604
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. David O'Meara1867–1877
Founding pastor, appointed by Bishop John Quinlan to establish the parish.
- Rev. Abram J. Ryan1877–1882
The famous 'poet-priest' of the Confederacy; wrote a tribute poem to St. Mary's during his time here.
- Rev. Michael Filan1882–c.1896
Served 14 years as pastor.
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas Eatonc.1896–1929
Oversaw tremendous parish growth; built the present church (begun 1926, dedicated 1928) and the missions of St. Catherine of Siena (Crichton, 1914) and St. Joan of Arc (1920). Died September 21, 1929.
- Rev. Msgr. John R. O'Donoghue, V.G., P.A.1929–1962
Paid off the church construction debt in 1945; died July 1, 1962 in Ireland.
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas Cullen, P.A.1962–1972
Renovated the sanctuary after the Second Vatican Council.
- Rev. Msgr. Daniel Harnett1972–1982
- Rev. John Aherne, V.G.1982–1993
- Rev. Msgr. Kenneth J. Klepac1993–1999
- Rev. Msgr. G. Warren Wall2011–2020
Launched and completed the 'Our Faith, Our Hope, Our Future' Capital Campaign; the restored church was rededicated December 7, 2014.
- Rev. Stephen G. Vrazel2020–present
Led the parish through COVID-19 and completed the Ollis Pavilion and Lauten Courts in 2022.