SAINT ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Johnston County has a handful of Catholics. There is no Catholic parish, so families gather in each other’s homes for Mass whenever a priest is passing through.

Priest visits occur monthly, making, the Town of Smithfield a “station.” Twenty-one years after becoming a station, Smithfield is raised to “mission” status.

A small chapel, named St. Peter, is constructed on N. 7th St. in Smithfield at a cost of $845.

Mass is celebrated on a semi-monthly basis.

Community becomes a canonical parish when Mrs. Doyle of Boston donates $5,000 in bonds to the diocese with the stipulation that a Catholic Church be built in North Carolina in honor of Saint Ann. Bishop Hafey allocates the money to Smithfield.

A rectory is constructed.

Father McGuirk is named the first resident pastor of Saint Ann.

There are 24 Catholics in Smithfield, 17 in Selma and two in Clayton.

A parish hall is built to meet the needs of the parishioners.

A dining room, study and garage are added to the rectory.

Fr. Joseph Lynn, O.S.F.S. adds a Spanish Mass to the schedule to accommodate the growing number of Hispanic migrants in Johnston County.

Fr. Paul Brant, S.J. adds another Mass to the parish schedule at Clayton High School.

There are now 324 registered families at Saint Ann.

With over 500 registered families, Father Joseph Mulroney launches a building campaign to construct a new church that would serve all Catholics living in Johnston County.

Raising more than $1.5 million in pledges, the parish purchased 14 acres of land and soon began the process of construction.

On August 21st, the first Mass in the new church is celebrated.

On June 30th, Bishop Joseph Gossman dedicates the new church building.

Fr. Scott McCue is appointed administrator of Saint Ann.

Fr. McCue is installed as pastor of St. Ann on August 1st.

There are over 1100 registered households at Saint Ann.

Msgr. Michael Clay is installed as pastor by Bishop Burbidge on July 24th.

During his tenure, the parish continues to grow, especially in the number of children in the parish faith formation programs and active Hispanics members.

Padre Marcos León is installed as the new pastor in August.

Effective June 26th, Msgr. David Brockman is appointed Administrator and Father Carlos Arce is appointed Priestly Ministry at Saint Ann.

On June 26th, Fr. Peter Grace, begins his ministry at Saint Ann.