Mission and History

History

First Catholic Parish Church in North Carolina

Saint Patrick Catholic Church became the first Catholic parish in the State of North Carolina on February 4, 1824 when Bishop John England formally organized the Catholic community of Fayetteville into a parish under the status of the Constitution for the Catholic Church of North Carolina.

Saint Patrick’s first school opened in 1937 on Hay Street with 30 students. 1954 saw the school move to a new location on Fort Bragg Road. In 1986, the Saint Patrick Education Center opened in its current location on Marlborough Road and has over 250 students enrolled.

As for our congregation, we have grown from just a scant dozen in the 1820s to about 4500 people today!

First Catholic Church Dedicated in North
Carolina

On March 17, 1829, Bishop England celebrated the dedication and solemn blessing of Saint Patrick Church, the first Roman Catholic Church dedicated in the State. Sadly, this building was destroyed in Fayetteville’s Great Fire of 1831.

The second church building, near the same site on Bow Street, served the parish for more than 100 years. In 1936, Saint Patrick parishioners pulled up roots and relocated to Arsenal Avenue (the present location of Archangel Michael Maronite Catholic Church).

In 1963 Saint Patrick parishioners moved to the present church site on Village Drive.

The Coat of Arms of Saint Patrick Church

Introduction
This coat of arms has been created in recognition of the 175 years of a Catholic presence in Fayetteville and of the establishment of Saint Patrick Church. Molly Potter, a parishioner, designed it in collaboration and consultation with the Parish Pastoral Council, the parish staff and many ministerial leaders in our parish community.

Heraldry
Based on ancient symbols, heraldry is a celebration of the sense people and communities have of themselves. Dating back to the twelfth century, coats of arms have been used to identify warriors in battle, clans to their kin, and organizations to their members. The practice of using a coat of arms is a time-honored tradition within the Church. Church heraldry can be found among the nobility and in the military. Eventually, designs were made for the hierarchy of the church. Today, everyone within the Church has a right to armorial bearings, assuming that it maintains ecclesiastical dignity and contains no war-like symbols. [1]

Explanation of Our Coat of Arms
The shield is divided into several fields with each section representing specific components of the mission and life of Saint Patrick Church.

The Coat of Arms of Saint Patrick Church

Upper right field:
Cross-
"We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life and resurrection; through Him we are saved and made free. [2]

This passage from Saint Paul reminds us that the cross of Christ is the mark of our redemption and the primary symbol for the Christian disciple. It identifies who we are and what we are called to do - "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [3] This is the ultimate challenge to the Christian - to be transformed and to proclaim the Good News to the entire world.

Green background-
Traditionally associated with Ireland, it has been added to our coat of arms because of the Irish background of the founders of the parish.

This color also symbolizes growth and new life. In ancient practices of the Church, green was the color worn by the penitent upon returning to the Eucharistic table. [4]

Dividing the fields:
Crosier-
The staff is a sign of the pastoral office of Bishop. It is used in our coat of arms to recognize Saint Patrick as a fifth century Catholic bishop. It also symbolizes our parish's relationship to the universal Catholic Church-- our unity with the Bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh and with the Holy Father, Bishop of Rome and Universal Pastor and Teacher.

Shamrock-
According to legend, Patrick used the shamrock as a catechetical tool to explain the Catholic belief in the Trinity.

Upper left field:
Pitcher, basin, towel-
Using images from the gospel of John concerning the Lord's supper, these remind us that from our "full, active and conscious participation [5] at Eucharist, we are sent forth and serve the world, fully, actively and consciously, in imitation of Christ.

"...I washed your feet - I who am Teacher and Lord - then you must wash each other's feet. What I just did was to give you an example: as I have done, so you must do. [6]

Base of the Shield:
 Water-
"If we have died with Christ, so too we believe that we shall live with Christ. [7] 

This element reminds us of the essence of Christian life- of the paschal mystery- our baptismal commitment. The life-giving waters of baptism unite us all as followers of Christ and call us to ongoing conversion of heart.

1. James-Charles Noonan, Jr., The Church Visible. Viking Press.
2. Galatians 6:14, Opening Antiphon for the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper.
3. Matthew 16:24.
4. Christine Kenny-Sheputis. Take Me Horne. Liturgy Training Publications.
5. Second Vatican Council. Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #14.
6. John 13:14-15.
7. Romans 6:8.