St. Andrew Parish history

Neither the name of the priest nor the exact date of the Mass are known, but it is assumed that the date was prior to 1819, because in that year our first church was built.

On May 9, 1850, Bishop Francis P. Kendrick of Philadelphia laid the cornerstone of a new church, to be dedicated in honor of Saint Andrew the Apostle.

Father Lynch, who had been sleeping in the sacristy on his visits, salvaged materials from an old mill which had burned down at the foot of Mill Mountain, and the rectory was completed in 1887.

So hard pressed was the bishop to provide for the faithful in the remaining counties, his appointment as pastor did not come for two years, November 19, 1889, seven years to the day after the first Mass in Roanoke.

St Vincent's Home for boys was opened on March 1, 1893 and staffed by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky.

By 1902, parish organizations, boasting large memberships, were St Andrew's Benevolent and Literary Society, Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Catholic Benevolent Legion, Guild of Our Lady of Ransom and Ladies' Aid Society.

In October 1907, a small group of Irish immigrants began gathering to celebrate mass in a temporary chapel in a building at NE Alberta and Vernon (now 14th Place ) Streets.

During the pastorate of Father James P. McDermott, a new church was built and dedicated on September 6, 1908, by Bishop John W. Shanahan of Harrisburg.

Father Lynch left Roanoke in 1910 for a pastorate in Greensboro, North Carolina, but his remains were returned and interred on the grounds of St Andrew's directly in front of the church.

The rectory, completed in 1911, housed the church offices and the pastor’s home.

On May 18, 1913 sixteen children received their First Holy Communion at the first ëHigh Massí. The Odd Fellows Hall was rented for the occasion for $5.00.

In March of 1914, after the purchase of a lot at the corner of Walnut and Third Streets, a chapel was remodeled and placed under the patronage of St Andrew.

The school was rebuilt in 1922, with a convent on the second floor.

On August 25, 1925 Saint Andrew School was built and dedicated during the second pastorate of Father William J. O'Callaghan.

St Andrew Church, an architectural masterpiece built in 1927, was the inspiration of Monsignor John McCarthy and architect Ross Montgomery.

With the founding of St Andrew’s Mission in 1929 by St Mary’s Parish in Georgetown, an ongoing Catholic presence was established in Myrtle Beach.

In the late 1930’s, land was purchased at 29th Avenue North and Kings Highway and a small church building seating 120 people was constructed at a cost of $5,000.

By 1940 the yearly income had increased to $7,800 with a parish debt of $52,000.

A new convent on the corner of Ninth and Alberta (now the Franciscan House) was purchased in 1942.

Increasing enrollment made it necessary to expand the school building in 1943 with two more large classrooms, a music department, and a library.

By 1946, Father Richard C. Madden had been assigned as pastor of StAndrew Parish which encompassed all of Horry County and served the needs of the Catholic families living in an 1152 square mile area.

August 22, 1954 First Mass in the new church building celebrated.

In 1956, St Andrew's School was built to serve both the parish and the Catholic families of the Air Force Base.

Pastoral responsibilities, shared as early as 1957 with associate pastors, continued as such, and during the 70′s, deacons and women religious began sharing in the pastoral ministry of the parish.

By the mid 1960’s, Raleigh’s population was beginning to explode.

John S. Igoe became pastor following Father Martin and remained until 1964 when Msgr.

The present rectory was built at the same time and was ready for occupation in 1968.

The church was completed in 1969 with dedication on December 20 and the first Eucharistic celebration at Midnight on Christmas Eve.

1970 Parish Council was formed.

In November, 1971 the first Lay Ministers of the Eucharist for weekend liturgies were installed and a few years later additional ministers began bringing the Eucharist to the hospitalized and housebound.

It is funded by an auction held in the fall, a tradition begun as a building materials auction in 1973 by the late Neil Kelly

The revised rite for the Sacrament of Penance was introduced in 1974 and the confessional space was renovated into the Reconciliation Room.

In 1979, the Diocese had purchased 15 acres of land on Olive Chapel Road as an investment.

Father Griffin was transferred to another parish in 1983.

In 1987 the Parish celebrated its 75th Anniversary.

1989 Saint Andrew took back sole sponsorship of the school

A new wing with three classrooms and a meeting room was added to the school in 1990.

In 1992, St Andrew became home to a community of Hispanic brothers and sisters who celebrate a Spanish Mass at noon on Sundays.

The parish offices were moved to this building in December of 1993.

1996 Parish Hall built.

In 1999, as a result of construction at Roanoke Catholic School and at St Andrew's, Father Lynch was moved to a place of honor in the Mausoleum at St Andrew's.

Almost exactly 30 years after the church was open, a project of complete interior renovation was carried out in the early months of 2000.

The building became a school once more when parish members helped initiate the Jesuit-run St Andrew Nativity Middle School in 2001.

Father Krueger’s retirement in 2004 led to the selection as pastor of Father Chuck Lienert, a longtime friend of St Andrew, who for many years served as pastor of neighboring parish Immaculate Heart, and who shares knowledge of our history and mission.

With a vision for future growth, a 16,000 square feet Community Life Center was constructed in 2006 to include a gymnasium, kitchen, meeting rooms, storage space and offices.

November 25, 2007 Father Dennis Gerard Dalessandro was installed as pastor to Saint Andrew's Church.

In September 2008, St Andrew celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala, family festival, and an anniversary mass.

On June 21, 2009 Father John B. Bateman was installed as pastor to Saint Andrew's Church.

Father Griffin joined the Albina Ministerial Alliance and was a founding member of two social justice organizations: Oregon Fair Share (now Oregon Action) and the church-based Portland Organizing Project (now MACG). The Community Center was remodeled and expanded in 2010.

In 2013, the school expanded to include middle school, supplying the area with kindergarten through 8th grade – this brought another, much needed expansion on the east side of campus.

Father John B. Bateman left Saint Andrew's church on June 20, 2014.

Father Robert Malagesi was Installed as pastor of Saint Andrew the Apostle Church on May 21, 2017.