About St. Paul the Apostle · Greensboro, North Carolina
St. Paul the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in northwest Greensboro, North Carolina, founded in 1974 as the fifth Catholic parish in the city. The parish is located at 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road in the Diocese of Charlotte and currently ministers to roughly 1,900 households. Mass is offered in English, with daily and weekend services, Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays, and Saturday confessions. The community has gone through three eras of pastoral leadership: the Paulist Fathers (1974–1991), the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (1991–2008), and diocesan clergy (2008–present).
- Established
- 1974
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Reverend Joseph William Mack (Father Joseph Mack)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
St. Paul the Apostle is a thriving, mid-sized Catholic community of about 1,900 households in northwest Greensboro, known especially for its Eucharistic devotion — Friday Adoration is offered after the 9 am Mass, with extended Adoration on First Fridays. The parish runs a robust faith formation program (PreK through Confirmation YR 2, using Pflaum Gospel Weeklies and the Didache Series) and an active youth ministry (SPY – St. Paul Youth). Members are deeply involved in outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul-style food pantry, Meals on Wheels, the Knights of Columbus, the Cursillo movement, and a long-running home-school co-op (GIFTS). With three Sunday Masses, weekday Masses, Saturday confessions, and a recently renovated sanctuary with new altar and relics, it offers both liturgical depth and warm, family-friendly fellowship for transplants and longtime residents alike.
Mass times at St. Paul the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM (3:45 to 4:15 PM window before 4:30 PM Mass)
Adoration times
- Friday after 9:00 AM Mass until 10:00 AM
- First Fridays after 9:00 AM Mass until 10:30 AM
Parish History
Founded on July 5, 1974 as the fifth Roman Catholic parish in Greensboro, St. Paul the Apostle began with 90 families and was originally staffed by the Paulist Fathers at the invitation of Bishop Michael J. Begley of Charlotte. With no building yet, the first Mass was held at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, then later at Forbis & Dick Funeral Home and several Protestant congregations during the parish's two-year 'mobile' period. A first parish center was dedicated in May 1976, and by 1985 the parish had grown to 925 families. The parish's modern era opened in 1991 when the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales assumed leadership. Bishop John F. Donoghue dedicated the present sanctuary in March 1993. A Capital Campaign in the late 1990s funded a major expansion, and on October 21, 2001 Bishop William Curlin dedicated a new Parish Life Center housing a multipurpose gymnasium, classrooms, and meeting space. In 2008 the parish transitioned to diocesan priest leadership, and today it numbers roughly 1,900 households and celebrated its 50th jubilee in 2024–2025.
Sacramental Life
The parish prepares Catholics of all ages for the sacraments in accord with the policies of the Diocese of Charlotte. Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion through a two-year program beginning in first grade using the Didache Series. Confirmation is prepared for in Year 2 of the program. Adults seeking initiation are welcomed through the RCIA process; couples should contact the parish office to arrange marriage preparation; and Anointing of the Sick and Baptism arrangements are coordinated through the parish office.
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (2-year, begins 1st grade)
- Confirmation (Year 2)
- Baptism
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA for adults
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Paul the Apostle runs a PreK through 5th-grade Faith Formation program directed by Mary Smith and supported by parent participation. The curriculum uses Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is a two-year program beginning in 1st grade using the Didache Series. Per diocese policy, parents are required to be CMG Connect certified to volunteer, and registration is required annually. A Confirmation Year 2 track runs alongside.
- PreK–5th Grade Faith Formation (Pflaum Gospel Weeklies)
- First Reconciliation/Communion Prep (Didache Series, 2-year)
- Confirmation YR 2 preparation
- Director of Faith Formation: Mary Smith (ext. 225)
Youth Ministry — St. Paul Youth (SPY)
The St. Paul Youth (SPY) ministry has been a cornerstone of parish life for decades. Annual registration is open each spring/summer for the following program year. SPY provides faith formation, fellowship, and service opportunities for middle-school and high-school youth, and is closely tied to the Confirmation program.
- St. Paul Youth (SPY) — annual registration for grades 6–12
- SPY assistant staff position listed on parish directory
Family & Homeschool Enrichment
GIFTS (Gifts In Faith, Teaching & Sharing) Catholic Enrichment Co-op meets on Friday mornings on the St. Paul the Apostle campus and welcomes families from across the area. The morning begins with the Catholic faith and continues with grade-band classes that mix academics and enrichment. Nursery care is provided for the youngest children.
- Grades PreK–K: Music, Virtue Study, Science
- Grades 1–2: Author Study, Saints Study, Science
- Grades 3–5: Bible Story Study, Art, Nature Study
- Middle/High School: Language Study, Art History, Theater Study
- Little Ones (under 4): Nursery with story time and music & movement
Outreach & Parish Life
Outreach is at the heart of parish identity at St. Paul the Apostle. Long-running ministries include Meals on Wheels, a parish food pantry, St. Vincent de Paul–style service to neighbors in need, the Knights of Columbus, and the Cursillo movement. Liturgical ministries (Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Ushers, Greeters) are organized through online sign-ups and are essential to weekend worship. Newcomers are welcomed at the Welcome Desk in the narthex.
- Meals on Wheels
- Parish food pantry
- Knights of Columbus
- Cursillo movement
- Liturgical ministries (Lector, EMHC, Altar Server, Usher, Greeter)
- Welcome Desk (narthex) — registration packets
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Father Joseph William (Joseph) Mack as pastor and served by Permanent Deacon Larry Lisk. Liturgical and faith-formation operations are carried out by a Director of Liturgy and Sacramental Coordinator, a Director of Faith Formation (Mary Smith), and a Faith Formation & SPY Assistant. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
- Pastor: Father Joseph Mack
- Permanent Deacon: Larry Lisk
- Director of Faith Formation: Mary Smith (ext. 225)
- Director of Liturgy & Sacramental Coordinator
- Faith Formation & SPY Assistant
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Facilities & Campus
St. Paul the Apostle sits on a campus that has been built up in three major phases: the original parish center (dedicated May 1976), the present sanctuary (dedicated March 1993 by Bishop John F. Donoghue), and the Parish Life Center (dedicated October 21, 2001 by Bishop William Curlin). The Parish Life Center includes a multipurpose room/gymnasium, additional meeting space, and classrooms that host Faith Formation, SPY, and the GIFTS home-school co-op.
- Original Parish Center — dedicated May 1976
- Present Sanctuary — dedicated March 1993
- Parish Life Center (gymnasium + classrooms) — dedicated October 21, 2001
- Narthex with Welcome Desk
Joining the Parish
Becoming a registered member of St. Paul the Apostle is straightforward. Newcomers may register by picking up a packet at the Welcome Desk in the narthex after Mass, calling the parish office at (336) 294-4696, or filling out the online contact form. Registered members are invited to participate fully in the parish's sacramental, formation, and outreach ministries.
- Register at the Welcome Desk (narthex)
- Register by phone: (336) 294-4696
- Register via online contact form on the parish website
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish at 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro, NC 27410 (phone 336-294-4696). The office is open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Mass times are listed above, and confessions are heard Saturdays from 2:45 PM. Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed at the Welcome Desk in the narthex.
- Address: 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro, NC 27410
- Phone: (336) 294-4696
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Website: stpaulcc.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Robert Scott1974–
Paulist Father; founding pastor of St. Paul the Apostle when the parish was established July 1974.
- Father Robert Carr
Paulist Father who served during the parish's founding years.
- Father Jim Walsh
Paulist Father who served at St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist era, 1974–1991).
- Father Denis Hickey
Paulist Father who served at St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist era, 1974–1991).
- Father Joseph Gallagher
Paulist Father who served at St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist era, 1974–1991).
- Father Jim Weisner
Paulist Father who served at St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist era, 1974–1991).
- Father Ken Boyack
Paulist Father who served at St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist era, 1974–1991).
- Father Robert Rivers
Paulist Father who served at St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist era, 1974–1991).
- Father Jerry Sullivan
Paulist Father who served at St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist era, 1974–1991).
- Father Jim O'Neill1991–
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales; led parish when the order took over in 1991.
- Father Tom Murphy
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales; remembered warmly by newcomers for his hospitality. (Served in Oblate era 1991–2008.)
- Father Robert Bazzoli
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales (Oblate era, 1991–2008).
- Father Tony Gilborges
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales (Oblate era, 1991–2008).
- Father Tony Larry
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales (Oblate era, 1991–2008).
- Father Joseph Zuschmidt
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales (Oblate era, 1991–2008).
- Father Doug Burns
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales (Oblate era, 1991–2008).
- Father Mark Wrightson
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales (Oblate era, 1991–2008).
- Father Paul DeChant
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales (Oblate era, 1991–2008).
- Father Charles Chamberlain
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales (Oblate era, 1991–2008).
- Father Bill Ruhl
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales; last of the Oblate pastors before the order withdrew in 2008.
- Father John Allen2008–
Diocesan priest; first diocesan pastor of St. Paul the Apostle after the Oblates.
- Father Benjamin Roberts
Diocesan priest who served as pastor (Diocesan era, 2008–present).
- Father Joseph (Joseph William) Mack2013–present
Current pastor; celebrated the parish's 50th anniversary kickoff Mass in January 2025.
- Deacon Larry Lisk
Permanent Deacon; assists at Mass and has served multiple pastors.