MOUNT HOLLY — Two Masses will be celebrated at Old St. Joseph Church in Mount Holly, the mother church for Catholics in western North Carolina and one of the oldest Catholic churches still standing in the state.
No longer an active parish, Old St. Joseph Church is used for special occasions such at the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph, and tours are available by request through Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, which is responsible for caring for the historic property.
Hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, the annual St. Patrick Day Mass on March 17 pays tribute to the first Catholic families in western North Carolina and their beloved first pastor, the Irish-born Father T.J. Cronin. Prayers at Father Cronin’s graveside will be said at 10 a.m. and then the faithful will proceed inside for Mass. Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, will be the celebrant.
The church’s patronal feast day will be celebrated with a 12:15 p.m. Mass on March 19 offered by Father Paul Buchanan, Queen of the Apostles’ pastor.
While the diocese dates from 1972, Catholics have lived in the Carolinas since the United States was founded. In the early 1800s, Irish immigrants put down roots – mostly stonemasons and tradesmen who found work with the railroads, in construction and in mines near Charlotte, where prospectors had struck gold.
The Greek Revival-style wooden frame church was built in 1843 by Irish immigrants, who had come to search for gold along the Catawba River. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
All are welcome to attend either Mass at the church at N.C. 273 and Sandy Ford Road.
— Trish Stukbauer. File photo by Aidan Creter