Church History - Saint Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church (2024)

In the early 1980s, Apex, NC was a small town with a population of 3,192, and less than three percent of the area was Catholic. When a small cadre started efforts to create a Catholic parish in Apex, it was referred to as the Apex Mission Church. Our parish, St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, was born from that initiative.

St. Andrew has always been committed to worship, fellowship, and serving those in need. With more than 50 active ministries, our parishioners serve the liturgical needs of our faith community, preserve the faith through educating our youth, and reach out to the homeless and needy.

25th Anniversary

In September 2008, St. Andrew celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala, family festival, and an anniversary mass.

Reflections on 25 years

For the 25th anniversary, we asked parishioners and religious who had been part of the creation of the parish to reflect on some parish milestones.

  • Search for Land
  • Building Our Church
  • Faith Development
  • Community Outreach
  • Father Bill’s Garden
  • Music Ministry
  • Early Childhood Center by Eileen Vaughn
  • Stations of the Cross by Fr. Joe Cavoto
  • St. Andrew Statue by David Legarth
  • St. Andrew Columbarium by Pete Burke
  • Friars of the Atonement

Parish History

Reverend Thomas Price, one of the founders of the Maryknoll Mission Society, began his ministry in North Carolina around 1902. It was the challenge of the Tar Heel State that fostered his dream of a missionary society at a time when the United States was still considered a missionary enterprise of the European Church.

Father Price has been called the Tar Heel Apostle in that he labored for the Church and its then meager presence, especially in the South. In the early 1920’s, Apex was only a short stop on a railroad system. There was a small Catholic presence in the form of a chapel on Hunter Street, near the center of town. Later, the wooden structure would be lost in an accidental fire.

By the mid 1960’s, Raleigh’s population was beginning to explode. The RTP continues to bring expansion, and a migration of Catholic people. Soon, a mission was established in Cary. It would later grow to be the mother parish, St. Michael the Archangel.

In 1979, the Diocese had purchased 15 acres of land on Olive Chapel Road as an investment. Should Raleigh’s new growth spread toward Apex, this could be a possible site for a future parish.

DECEMBER 1979. Several parishioners living in Apex met with Father Tait. Among them were Tony & Donna Mackorowski, Skip & Donna Lineau, Margaret Atkins, Imogene & Joe Salotti, Joan Weber, Carmel & John Barron, Janet Hobbs, Jean & Pete Lux and Frank Zadell. They began preparations for a mission church in Apex.

OCTOBER 1980. Mass is celebrated in the basement of Spain’s Restaurant in Apex. The attendance was so large that they moved to the C.C. Jones Community Center on Holleman Street. Priests from St. Michael’s continued to serve the Apex community. In time, it became known as St. Michael’s Apex Mission. The Community Center continued to be host for CCD and high school classes.

NOVEMBER 1980. A group of 15 began to make plans for a permanent residence in Apex. They earnestly pursued a series of fundraisers. At that time, approximately 80 people were attending the one weekly Mass.

JULY 1982. Reverend H. Charles Mulholland was appointed pastor of St. Michael’s. He suggested that the Apex Mission people present their needs to Fr. Frank Moeslin, then Chancellor of the Raleigh Diocese.

SEPTEMBER 1982. The Apex Mission begins to take a new turn. The Diocese would consider a permanent Catholic presence while the Apex Mission would have to provide it could continue to grow.

NOVEMBER 1982. Jean Lux and Fran Dominquez began an active recruitment for the Apex Mission. Jim Boyle and John Calcagni joined forces with the growing Apex project.

JUNE 1983. Services outgrew the community center and moved to Apex High School. They worked long and hard to expand a wide variety of programs and services. Reverend Henry Lovelace, Pastor of Apex United Methodist Church, graciously offered the uses of their buildings for classes and meetings.

Bishop Joseph Gossman established an Office for Black Ministry and Evangelization. Fr. Martin Carter, SA, was appointed Director. The establishment of this office had a direct influence on the Apex Mission. Things were happening quickly, committees were forming and a name had been chosen. Apex Mission would now be known as St. Andrew the Apostle.

It became evident to Bishop Gossman that he would need a priest for the Mission. He wrote to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, Graymoor, Garrison, New York. Bishop Gossman has often recounted that it was the first time he had ever requested one priest and received two!

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement who’s motto “That All May Be One So That The World Might Believe”, wanted to establish a local community. The Apex Mission seemed an opportunity to expand their ministry of concern and activity for Christian Unity and support for the Diocese’s expanding activities.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1983. St. Andrew’s established a Pastor with the arrival of Father William F. Schmidt and Associate Pastor, Father Joseph F. Cavoto, SA.

These were the first priests ever to be assigned to Apex. Their arrival marked the official establishment of St. Andrew The Apostle, a parish within the Diocese of Raleigh.

Church History - Saint Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church (2024)

FAQs

What is the significance of St Andrew the Apostle? ›

The story goes that Andrew, the Galilean fisherman who was singled out to be Christ's first disciple, preached the Gospel in the lands around the Black Sea and in Greece and was eventually crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras. St Andrew is the patron saint of other countries as well as Scotland.

What was special about the apostle Andrew? ›

What is Andrew the Apostle known for? He is known for being the first follower of Jesus. He is also known for his missionary travels after Jesus was crucified, where he preached in regions around the Mediterranean area. During that time, he established an early orthodox church in the city of Byzantium.

What is the brief history of St Andrew? ›

Andrew's home was the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee, and like his brother Simon Peter, he was a fisherman. Andrew, along with Peter, James and John formed the inner circle of Jesus' 12 apostles. Andrew was however a disciple of St. John the Baptist prior to becoming a follower of Christ.

Where are St Andrews' bones now? ›

It was during this time that some of his remains were taken to Scotland. In 1206 they were moved to the Cathedral of St Andrew in Amalfi in Italy by Cardinal Pietro of Capua. However in 1964 they were returned to Patras by Pope Paul VI. They now lie in the Church of Saint Andrew.

Why do Catholics pray to St Andrew? ›

Andrew Novena for his protection and intercession for their country. He is also a patron saint of fishermen. You can ask for his prayers for help or protection in your own work as a fisherman, or for any fishermen you know.

What is the legend of Saint Andrew? ›

Early church legends recount that he travelled to the area around the Black Sea, taking the Gospel to the people there. Andrew was martryed in Patras, Greece. He chose to be crucified on an X-shaped cross (crux decussata) to distinguish himself from Christ, who was crucified on an upright cross.

Why did they crucify Saint Andrew? ›

After Jesus died, Andrew continued to preach about Jesus and his teachings, but the Roman rulers did not like his message and martyred Andrew for his beliefs. Andrew was crucified on a diagonal cross because he believed that he was not worthy to die on an upright cross similar to his Master.

What are the qualities of St Andrew the Apostle? ›

According to the New Testament, Andrew was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee during the early first century. Much like his younger brother, Simon Peter, Andrew was also a fisherman. Andrew's very name means strong, and he was known for having good social skills.

What is St Andrew remembered for? ›

November 30th is St Andrew's Day in Scotland. As well as his role as the patron saint of Scotland, and several other countries, St Andrew is also the saint of fishmongers, gout, singers, sore throats, spinsters, maidens, old maids and women wishing to become mothers.

What did St Andrew do with Jesus? ›

Andrew along with Philip, told Jesus about he Greeks seeking Him, and was one of the four to hear Jesus' teaching about what would soon happen. St. Eusebius tells us that Andrew preached along the Black Sea and became the patron saint of Ukraine, Romania, and Russia.

What can we learn from Andrew in the Bible? ›

Andrew teaches us that every individual is valuable.

We have already stated that when we see Andrew, he is usually bringing someone to Jesus. It does not matter whether it is to learn from Jesus or to deal with a situation, his focus is bringing someone to Jesus.

What miracles did Saint Andrew perform? ›

Saint Andrew is credited with numerous miracles. Among them, he freed the prisoner Matthias in Mirmidonia, healed a blind man, converted cannibals and the raised a dead child to life. The relics of the Apostle are known for the “manna” they secrete. It is a miraculous amber-colored substance given to the sick.

What is the myth of St Andrew? ›

Legend tells that St Regulus brought St Andrew's bones to Scotland, to the town we now know as St Andrews. In the story, an angel came to St Regulus in a dream, asking him to take the bones of St Andrew to the end of the earth.

What religion was Saint Andrew? ›

Andrew the Apostle
Saint Andrew the Apostle
Venerated inAll Christian denominations which venerate saints
Major shrineSt Andrew's Cathedral, Patras, Greece; St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland; the Church of St Andrew and St Albert, Warsaw, Poland; Duomo Cathedral in Amalfi and Sarzana Cathedral in Sarzana, Italy.
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What is the significance of Andrew? ›

Andrew is a Greek name meaning "strong and manly." It's a variant of the Greek name Andreas, which is derived from the element aner, meaning "man." Andrew was the name of Jesus's first disciple, and Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Greece, Russia, and Scotland.

What is St Andrew the apostle symbol? ›

The symbol associated with St. Andrew the Apostle is the X-shaped cross, also known as the saltire cross.

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