St. Stephen

Welcome & Parish Identity

St. Stephen Catholic Church is a small but vibrant Catholic mission parish in Elkin, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. The parish describes itself as a community that 'worships, serves and celebrates their lives shared together in faith,' with parishioners known for their spirit, generosity, hospitality and community volunteerism. The parish vision is to live a legacy of hospitality and generous service in word and deed, drawing strength from faith shared in a community of Word and Sacrament, especially the Eucharist. All are welcome.

History

The Catholic presence in Elkin dates to the 1940s, when the few area Catholics attended Mass celebrated by Franciscan priests from Lenoir above a restaurant in North Wilkesboro. In 1952 Mass began to be offered in an American Legion hall in Elkin, and as more Catholic families arrived, construction of St. Stephen Church began in the spring of 1955. Father Maurice Spillane oversaw the final construction and designed the seven stained glass windows depicting the seven sacraments. The first Mass was held later in 1955 and the church was dedicated on January 30, 1956. Bishop Peter J. Jugis celebrated the parish's 50th anniversary on October 1, 2005, and the parish marked its 70th year on January 30, 2025.

• 1940s: Catholics in Elkin attend Mass above a restaurant in North Wilkesboro, served by Franciscan priests from Lenoir.
• 1952: Mass moves to an American Legion hall in Elkin.
• Spring 1955: Construction of St. Stephen Church begins; land purchased from Chatham Manufacturing Company for $1.
• 1955: First Mass celebrated; Father Maurice Spillane supervises construction and designs the seven stained glass windows of the sacraments.
• January 30, 1956: Church is officially dedicated; the mayor, town officials and many townspeople attend.
• October 1, 2005: Bishop Peter J. Jugis celebrates the 50th anniversary; blesses a Sacred Heart statue in the new prayer garden.
• January 30, 2025: Parish celebrates its 70th anniversary.
• Grew from 4–5 founding families to more than 90 families.

Architecture & Sacred Features

The original church building seats about 100 people and features a small steeple above the front doors. Inside, a series of stained glass windows — designed and placed under Father Maurice Spillane — depict the seven sacraments, with an additional Last Supper window above the entry. A Sacred Heart statue stands in the parish's prayer garden, blessed by Bishop Peter J. Jugis at the 50th anniversary in 2005.

• Seven stained glass windows depicting the seven sacraments
• Last Supper stained glass window above the front doors
• Small steeple over the entrance
• Sacred Heart statue in the prayer garden
• Seating for about 100

Mass & Liturgical Schedule

St. Stephen celebrates Sunday Mass in English at 9:00 AM, both in person and via livestream on YouTube. A weekly Communion Service is held on Tuesdays at 12:15 PM, and Holy Day Mass is celebrated at 7:00 PM. The parish shares pastoral care with St. John Baptist de La Salle Church in North Wilkesboro, where additional Masses and confessions are offered.

• Sunday Mass — 9:00 AM (English, in-person & livestream)
• Communion Service — Tuesdays 12:15 PM
• Holy Day Mass — 7:00 PM
• Saturday Mass (English) — 4:00 PM at St. John (North Wilkesboro)
• Sunday Mass (English) — 11:15 AM at St. John (North Wilkesboro)
• Sunday Mass (Spanish) — 1:00 PM at St. John (North Wilkesboro)

Parish Staff & Clergy

St. Stephen is led by a small, dedicated staff rooted in long-term commitment to the parish and the wider diocese.

• Pastor — Reverend John D. Hanic; from Monson, Massachusetts; 35 years in the Diocese of Charlotte; 16 years as pastor of St. Stephen and St. John Baptist de La Salle; (704) 763-2475.
• Pastoral Associate — Janis McQuade, S.S.J., a Sister of St. Joseph (Philadelphia); serving since 2006; grew up in Bryn Mawr, PA.
• Choir Director / Accompanist — Theresa Martin, also a Sister of St. Joseph Associate in Mission.

Liturgical Ministries

All liturgical ministries flow from the parish's Baptismal call to serve. Each ministry requires formation and information sessions and is open to registered, active parishioners.

• Eucharistic Ministers — at Mass and to the homebound/hospitalized
• Proclaimers of the Word (Lectors)
• Acolytes
• Altar Linen Ministry
• Church Cleaners
• Music Ministry / Choir — singers ages 10 through adult and instrumentalists welcome

Faith Formation & OCIA

The parish welcomes those exploring the Catholic faith as well as baptized Catholics preparing for the sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) inquiry gatherings meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM; contact Sister Janis at the parish office for the current location.

• OCIA Inquiry Gatherings — Wednesdays 6:30 PM
• First Communion preparation
• Reconciliation preparation
• Confirmation preparation
• Youth Faith Formation / Youth Group

Sacraments

Information about the celebration of the sacraments at St. Stephen is available through the parish office and on the parish website. The parish notes that Reconciliation is offered at St. John Baptist de La Salle in North Wilkesboro on Saturday afternoons, and baptism, marriage and anointing of the sick are arranged by appointment.

• Baptism — by appointment, call Fr. John at (704) 763-2475
• Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM (North Wilkesboro)
• First Communion — preparation through OCIA / Youth Formation
• Confirmation — preparation through OCIA / Youth Formation
• Marriage — by appointment
• Anointing of the Sick — by appointment

Parish Life, Outreach & Community

Parishioners are known throughout Elkin for their generosity and community presence. As members of the Tri-County Ministerial Association, the parish gathers with neighboring congregations for an ecumenical Thanksgiving Service on the Sunday before Thanksgiving (rotating church sites), a Holy Week midday service followed by a simple luncheon, and the Elkin High School Baccalaureate Service each spring. The parish's vision is 'that all may be one.'

• Volunteer at Grace Clinic
• Volunteer at The Ark
• Volunteer at Tri-County Christian Ministries
• Feeding the Elderly
• Tutoring at Elkin Elementary School
• Volunteer at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital
• Life Line Pregnancy Crisis Ministry
• Local food bank
• Homebound Visitation
• Bible Study
• Ladies Guild
• Tri-County Ministerial Association — ecumenical Thanksgiving, Holy Week and Baccalaureate services