MURPHY — Members of St. William Church in Murphy, a mountain parish of just 280 households and the westernmost parish in the Diocese of Charlotte, gathered with Bishop Michael Martin on Aug. 30 to celebrate: It’s the first parish to reach its goal in the diocese’s “Making Room” philanthropic challenge.
The $150 million initiative – the largest in diocesan history – is designed to help all parishes such as St. William respond to local needs and demands brought on by growth.
The “Making Room Challenge” launched with seven pilot parishes in late June and has already seen tremendous success, diocesan leaders say, having raised more than $38 million, or 25% of its total two-year goal. Bishop Martin has been instrumental in that early success, personally raising more than $34 million.
Collectively, the seven first-phase parishes have reached 39% of their goal with four months to go. St. Joseph in Asheboro was the second parish to exceed its goal, raising $606,200 of $448,000 so far.
At St. William, challenge committee chair Mary Welch reported that people have pledged $294,000 so far, surpassing its $244,000 goal.
“It’s really great that St. William parish, the western gateway to the diocese, is the first to reach its goal,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director. “It just goes to show how clergy, parish leaders and parishioners are embracing this moment in our history and are ‘all in’ in supporting the impact that “Making Room” will have across the diocese for generations.”
At the parish’s celebratory luncheon, Bishop Martin told parishioners: “You have made commitments for blessings that are going to go well beyond St. William.”
investing in the future
“Making Room” will invest in parishes, Catholic Charities, Catholic schools and land acquisition, among other things – all in the name of reaching more people with the Church’s Gospel message.
All 93 parishes and missions will take part in a phased rollout, keeping 50% of the funds raised for local capital projects, ministry needs and endowments. Parishes that hit designated stretch goals will retain 100% of any additional funds.
St. William hopes the effort will be enough to refurbish the sanctuary, repair the roof and update its HVAC systems, add an electronic road sign, install LED lighting in the outdoor pavilion, and install rubber flooring in the playground.
Peggy Strand, parish business manager, said their success reflects parishioners’ generosity and a strong committee chaired by Welch, who has a background in fundraising.
“St. William is full of loving people who love the Church and love each other,” she said.
Father Augustine Ogar of the Missionaries of St. Paul was appointed St. William’s parochial administrator just last year and says the initiative’s rapid success demonstrates the strength of the people he shepherds.
“It’s given me a lot of confidence in this parish community because, being new here, I needed to get to know the people and their abilities,” he said. “I’ve discovered the strength of this parish is their ability to come together and push for the common good.”
Showing God’s love
St. William has grown thanks in large part to retirees drawn to the mountains. So many have come from Florida that parishioners have jokingly dubbed part of the sanctuary “The Florida section.”
Members say the community is a tight-knit, caring group in a town known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation, particularly along the Hiwassee River.
At the Aug. 30 celebration, parishioners lined up to greet Bishop Martin, laughing and talking and posing for photos.
Under a picnic shelter, Bishop Martin told the crowd, St. William “is sending a strong message to the rest of the diocese about our communion with one another: This is a small community but part of the greater whole.”
Parishioner Dixie Buckborough reflected the church’s welcoming spirit, offering hugs to Massgoers as they walked through the door.
She joined the parish 22 years ago when she and her husband moved from Florida and immediately “fell in love” with St. William. When he passed away in 2013, the parish was there for her.
“I got through it because of my church family,” she said. “Because of the love I felt here I started offering hugs at the door – and so many people say they want and need a hug.”
Mercedes Engler is another Florida transplant who found her spiritual home at St. William 18 years ago and sings in the choir.
“The people here are good, “she said, “truly good and honest.”
Bob Adams, who moved from the Tampa Bay area, said the parish’s small size helps foster the sense of community.
“The parish is small and the people are great, and very giving,” he said. “You can see that through the fact that we met our goal already.”
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Christina Lee Knauss and Gabe Swinney.
From having Mass in a theater to building a larger church
St. William Parish can trace its beginnings to Father Lane, who preached on the steps of the Cherokee County Courthouse in 1937. The following year, Father Ambrose Rohrbacher became pastor of St. John Church in Waynesville, which at the time included the state’s seven western-most counties. He and other Diocese of Raleigh priests offered Mass in Murphy every fifth Sunday in private homes, a theater, a hotel dining room and even a funeral parlor.
The original St. William Church was built in 1952. Although there were only five Catholic families in town at the time, the church was built to seat 70. The Glenmary Home Missioners served the parish from 1954 to 1987. The current church was completed in 1985. The parish also serves the mission of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Hayesville.
More online
At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Read about the “Making Room Challenge”
