The “Oral” History of St. Stephen Parish

The history of St. Stephen Parish in Sanford is full of colorful stories, people and events. Going back to the very beginning in the early 1930s when a local group of Catholics impressed the first Bishop of the Raleigh Diocese enough, that he decided to have a priest share duties between Fayetteville and Sanford. Since these early years, the St. Stephen parish community has consistently proven to be stronger than the bricks the church is made of.

Beginning with the purchase of a small home that doubled as the chapel and residence for the visiting priest, this community has not backed down to the needs of its members or the community it so proudly serves. The chapel eventually became Our Lady of Lourdes and served Sanford for 16 years until St. Stephen Parish was established and a permanent church built to serve it’s now 175 members. Built by parishioners, the church was appropriately named for the patron saint of bricklayers.

During my search for information, I was told many remarkable stories about the generosity and support of the St. Stephen parishioners. One told of a time when the parish was in such dire financial need that it could not pay its utilities. Without fanfare or attention, a parishioner and his wife silently took over the payments until the church was in a better position to do so. This couple, still a major part of St. Stephen, continues to serve the parish in many ways unknown to most. Whether driving the same woman to mass for over 30 years or making anonymous donations to purchase needed items, they have watched their community grow from the original 175 members to over 1500 families in much the same way they watched their children and grandchildren grow up.

Another member graciously shared how she had lost her husband to cancer only a short time after moving to Sanford. The support she received from the Pastor and a community that barely knew her created a permanent impression on her heart. “He (the Pastor) never met my husband, but his caring way was there when he spoke of my husband when he died. I do like that here at St. Stephen. We look after everyone. I was made to feel at home from the start.” She went on to say that this was one of the main reasons she stayed after her husband passed away.

Most memories shared were from more recent times. Whether talk was of the crowded conditions at the Wicker Street Church and Father John’s famous “SOS, or Scootch over Some” requests, or the members of the Hispanic community faithfully standing out in cold, heat or rain to hear a sermon on the speakers set up because the church could not hold everyone, most memories are positive. I found it amazing to see how the same conditions and situations that were the cause of so much frustration could be looked upon with such lightheartedness and pride today.

The Saint Stephen Community continued to grow, requiring a new facility to be planned as the new millennium approached. Selling a church, relocating to a temporary location, then moving into a new facility seemed to go like clockwork on the surface. However, the many hours of labor, sweat and tears that occurred behind the scenes will be known to only a few. Who would have thought that an abandoned Lowe’s warehouse could be converted into a house of worship? While affectionately known as “St. Lowes, it seemed a fitting place to worship a “carpenter”. There were times that we never thought those days would end and that the new facility would be completed. When it becomes necessary to teach Confirmation class on the floor of a make shift cry room because the only room with a door is too small to hold 15 chairs, you have to learn to lower your standards and develop a sense of humor. Many times Mass was interrupted by the sound of a hard rain on the metal roof, or from the noise generated by large fans need to help circulate the air. Mass schedules had to be changed in the summer to ensure the last service would end before the afternoon sun made conditions too uncomfortable. All of this has added to the pride of St. Stephen. Like a family that survives its hardships only to later consider themselves survivors, so too are the people of St. Stephen.

Not everyone made it through these years. Some left to go to a different church out of frustration with conditions or the lack of programs able to be offered. Others died during this time, not living to see the permanent home of the parish. One such parishioner epitomized the character of our parish. A lively man with a wonderful sense of humor, this elderly gentleman donated countless hours teaching and volunteering at the church. For his funeral to be held in a location as humble as “St. Lowes” was most fitting for a man who gave his life serving quietly. Of course, for those who attended his funeral, they will most likely also remember the speed trap that was set on the access road to the church as several parishioners found themselves with speeding tickets that day.

Belonging to a parish that has grown so fast has not been without its challenges. When the church first hired a Hispanic Minister, she was under the impression her job would be to organize a few events and help with some translations. Little did she know that ten years later, half of the parish would be Hispanic. When asked what her hopes are for St. Stephen, she simply responded “that the church keeps its faith and passes it on to future generations.” Her job has since grown to encompass the organization of an annual Hispanic festival, as well as developing program to help eliminate some of the problems within the local community such as teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and gang affiliation. One only needs to spend a minute or two with this person to see the love she has for the parish.

Through my interviews, I found most of my “subjects” having a sense of ownership for the parish. Several members told stories of when everyone laughed at the idea of our mortgage being paid off earlier than the planned fifteen years. One member reminisced about the time when only hours before the first Mass at St. Stephen South (St. Lowes) was to begin, final repairs and adjustments were still being made. When asked what impressed her the most about the parish, she answered that she is absolutely amazed at the financial task taken on by our community to build our current church. Specifically, she credited the “original” members of the parish. They were there from the beginning, building the church on Wicker Street with their own hands. (Some literally.) To “give up” that building and assume the task of helping to raise funds to build another showed the unselfish generosity and courage of so many people. Many of these parishioners shed tears after the last Mass on Wicker Street. Some shed more when first seeing their new home.

There are still a few of the “original” members of the parish around, although many of them have since passed away. However, as you walk through the halls of our current building, you can still find items donated and see the fruition of their efforts. Time passes but the faith remains the same.

Now St. Stephen is preparing to pay off the mortgage in less than half the time projected and in a few years will begin planning for a new “permanent” church. Money will need to be raised, people will be inconvenienced, and debates regarding the need or the layout will be had and more memories will be created. Through it all, this small community in Sanford will continue to put their faith in Christ and continue on serving others.