About Transfiguration of Jesus · Wallace, North Carolina
Transfiguration of Jesus Catholic Church is a bilingual Catholic mission in Wallace, North Carolina (Duplin County), served by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Missionhurst CICM). It was established in 1952 by a small group of Catholic families in Duplin County and grew from Masses celebrated in the local American Legion Hall into a present-day multicultural community with both English and Spanish Masses. The church also shepherds Santa Clara Catholic Mission in nearby Magnolia, NC, and is part of the Diocese of Raleigh.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- The Transfiguration of Jesus
- Rector
- Very Reverend Randy V. Gonzales, C.I.C.M., V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
Transfiguration of Jesus is a welcoming bilingual Catholic mission where English- and Spanish-speaking families worship side by side — the parish itself calls itself 'a place where men and women of every language, origin and culture come to find a spiritual home.' It offers daily and weekend Masses in both languages, regular Eucharistic Adoration, a Catholic school of faith formation for children, and sacramental preparation for baptism, marriage, and quinceañera. Active liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers) and the long-standing Hispanic Ministry led by Luis Galan make it easy to get involved, whether you are a lifelong Catholic or new to the area.
Mass times at Transfiguration of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM (Wallace)
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 10:25 AM (after 9:00 AM Mass)
- Saturday: 4:30 PM – 4:50 PM (before 5:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (Santa Clara Mission, Magnolia)
- Reconciliation Service: Thursday, March 12, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Adoration times
- Monday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Wallace)
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (after 9:00 AM Mass)
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Santa Clara Mission, Magnolia, following 7:00 PM Spanish Mass)
Parish Overview
Transfiguration of Jesus Catholic Church is a bilingual mission in Wallace, North Carolina, in the Diocese of Raleigh. It is staffed by the Missionhurst Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) and pastored by Very Rev. Randy V. Gonzales, C.I.C.M., V.F., with Deacon Michael (Mike) Vandiver assisting. The parish shares its pastor with the sister mission of Santa Clara in Magnolia, NC.
- Parish type: Catholic mission (Diocese of Raleigh), served by Missionhurst CICM
- Pastor: Very Rev. Randy V. Gonzales, C.I.C.M., V.F.
- Deacon: Michael (Mike) Vandiver
- Sister mission: Santa Clara Catholic Mission, Magnolia, NC
- Languages: English and Spanish
Our History
The Catholic community in Duplin County grew out of a handful of families who, before 1952, drove to neighboring counties for Mass or hosted visiting priests in their homes. In August 1952, Mrs. Angelene Dixon and Mrs. Kathleen Cottle, with the support of Father John Harper (pastor of Immaculate Conception in Clinton), founded the mission. Early Masses were held in the American Legion Hall; the parish later bought an old home that still serves as the parish hall, and in 1965 built the present hexagonal church. The Hispanic community, which Luis Galan describes as only twelve or fifteen families in 1997, has grown into a thriving bilingual parish. Transfiguration was elevated to parish status around 2012, and Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama presided over the 70th anniversary Mass on August 6, 2022.
- 1952 — Mission established in Wallace by Mrs. Angelene Dixon and Mrs. Kathleen Cottle with Father John Harper
- Early worship held in the American Legion Hall
- Parish hall is a former home purchased by the early mission
- 1965 — Present hexagonal church building constructed
- Late 1990s — Hispanic outreach begins, with Father Paul Brant, SJ visiting mobile home lots
- 2012 — Mission elevated to parish status
- 2022 — 70th anniversary celebrated with Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama on August 6
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation classes are coordinated through Santa Clara Catholic Mission in Magnolia, with sessions held on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays at 11:00 AM. Registration is taken during the month of May for the following formation year. Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Quinceañera is handled through the parish office.
- Faith Formation Classes: 2nd, 3rd, 4th (and 5th) Sundays at 11:00 AM at Santa Clara Mission
- Registration window: month of May each year
- Pre-Baptismal Class: first Sunday of the month at 12:00 PM
- Baptism: first Saturday of the month at 1:00 PM at Santa Clara Mission
Hispanic Ministry
Hispanic Ministry is one of the defining features of Transfiguration of Jesus. Luis Galan, who arrived in 1997, has led the ministry for over 20 years, watching it grow from a handful of families to a thriving bilingual parish. Today Mass is offered in Spanish every Sunday and on Monday evenings in Wallace, with additional Spanish Masses at Santa Clara Mission in Magnolia. The parish regularly hosts bilingual celebrations like the 70th anniversary Mass with Bishop Zarama, where both English and Spanish cultures and faith traditions are honored side by side.
- Hispanic Ministry led by Luis Galan (parish member since 1997)
- Spanish Masses every Sunday (10:30 AM, Wallace) and Monday (7:00 PM, Wallace)
- Additional Spanish Masses at Santa Clara Mission, Magnolia (Sun 1:00 PM, Wed 7:00 PM)
- Ongoing outreach to Hispanic families in mobile home communities
- Goal under Father Randy: more bilingual Masses and full cultural integration
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgies of Transfiguration through a traditional set of lay liturgical ministries coordinated through the parish.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Ushers
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates all the usual Catholic sacraments, with baptism and quinceañera preparation coordinated especially through the Santa Clara Mission in Magnolia.
- Reconciliation (Confession): Mon, Thu, Sat — plus seasonal parish Reconciliation Services
- Baptism: first Saturday of the month at 1:00 PM at Santa Clara Mission (pre-Baptismal class required)
- First Communion & Confirmation: through Faith Formation program
- Marriage: contact the pastor — Deacon Mike assists with marriage preparation
- Quinceañera: contact the pastor at least 1 year in advance
- Anointing of the Sick / Homebound visits: contact Deacon Mike
Parish Life & Community
Beyond the Mass schedule, Transfiguration is a tightly-knit community with regular Bible study, fellowship after daily Mass, and a Knights of Columbus council. Father Randy keeps regular office hours at the parish and is also reachable by phone at 919-710-0486 to make appointments for confession, counseling, or sacramental planning.
- Bible Study after Monday 9:00 AM Mass
- Fellowship after Monday 9:00 AM and Friday 9:00 AM Masses
- Knights of Columbus council affiliated with the parish
- Father Randy's Office Hours: Wed 3:00–5:45 PM (at Santa Clara); or by appointment (919-710-0486)
Santa Clara Catholic Mission (Magnolia, NC)
Transfiguration shares its pastor with sister mission Santa Clara, located at 352 N Academy St., Magnolia, NC 28453. Santa Clara hosts Spanish Masses on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, with confession and Adoration before the Wednesday Mass. Many of the parish's Faith Formation classes and sacramental celebrations (Baptism, pre-Baptismal class, Quinceañera) are coordinated through Santa Clara.
- Address: 352 N Academy St., Magnolia, NC 28453
- Sunday Mass: 1:00 PM (Spanish)
- Wednesday Mass: 7:00 PM (Spanish), followed by Adoration
- Wednesday Confession: 6:00 – 6:45 PM
- Wednesday Adoration: 6:00 – 7:00 PM
- Faith Formation Classes: 2nd–5th Sundays at 11:00 AM
- Pastor: Rev. Randy Gonzales, CICM
Contact & Visiting
Transfiguration is located on East Main Street in Wallace, the seat of Duplin County. Visitors can reach the parish office by phone or email, and Father Randy is available for appointments outside his posted office hours.
- Address: 506 East Main Street, Wallace, NC 28466
- Mailing: P.O. Box 1601, Wallace, NC 28466
- Phone: (910) 665-1530
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor direct line (by appointment): 919-710-0486
- Website: transfigurationofjesusparish.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Harper
Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Clinton who helped the founding group led by Mrs. Angelene Dixon and Mrs. Kathleen Cottle establish the mission in 1952.
- Father Paul Brant, SJ
Worked with parish volunteers in the late 1990s to reach out to the growing Hispanic community by visiting mobile trailer lots.
- Father Randy V. Gonzales, C.I.C.M.
Current pastor (as of the 2022 70th anniversary); has prioritized more bilingual Masses and integration of the multicultural community.
- Father Marlon Mendieta
Grew up at Transfiguration Parish, ordained a priest of the Diocese of Raleigh in 2018; now pastor of St. John the Baptist, Roanoke Rapids. Mentioned at the 70th anniversary as a fruit of the parish's faith formation.