|
|
History of the Parish Community of St. Nicholas
As memory serves, our parish of St. Nicholas was conceived
in about 1967 when Cardinal O'Boyle was unexpectedly delayed
in South Laurel for the repair of a flat tire while on his way to
St. Mary of the Mills Parish. At that time, he was amazed at the
signs of rapid growth in South Laurel, and he saw the need for a
new church to serve the area.
South Laurel continued to flourish, and on September 9, 1967 the
parish was officially established by decree of the Vicar General
of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.. St. Nicholas was the first
parish designated in the Archdiocese following Patrick O'Boyle's
elevation to the College of Cardinals. It was named to honor his
titular church in Rome, San Nicola in Carcere. Translated, the name
means St. Nicholas in Prison (or in chains).
The first mass was celebrated by Rev. Anthony Griffin, the first
pastor, at the Fox Rest Apartments Gymnasium on September 10, 1967.
Attendance that day was estimated at 500. Fr. Griffin resided in
the rectory at St. Mary's, Laurel, which also provided the new
parish with facilities for confessions, baptisms, and marriages.
While the first Holy Day Masses were held in the Red Barn at the
former Snowden Hill Apartments Rental Office, Sunday Masses
continued to be held at the Fox Rest Gymnasium. On the other
hand, Daily Masses and most meetings took place in the
parishioners' homes. As a matter of fact, St. Nicholas was the
first parish in the Archdiocese of Washington permitted to have
Mass in the home. This rich tradition of the Home Mass is still
practiced here today.
Within the first year, the transient nature of the parish became
apparent, among the clergy as well as the parishioners, with the
assignment of a new pastor, the Rev. Thomas A. Kane. In the
spring of 1968, Sunday Masses were moved from the Fox Rest Gym
to the Laurel Cinema in the Laurel Shopping Center.
In October of 1968, Father Kane moved into a temporary rectory
in Montpelier at 9217 Twin Hill Lane to await construction of the
permanent parish house at 8603 Contee Rd. Construction of the
rectory was completed in May of 1969, and the converted garage
that served as the chapel was used for Daily Masses, some weddings,
and baptisms. Soon the new parish house became the hub for all
St. Nicholas activities.
Our parish became more permanent on a cold wintry day in January
1970 with the breaking of ground at the present site. Father Kane
deserved much credit for his untiring efforts in getting our Church
constructed, and he was later reassigned to Assumption Parish in
S.E. Washington, D.C. St. Nicholas parish was formally dedicated
on June 12, 1971 by Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle.
St. Nicholas has not only been the meeting place for Catholics in
South Laurel, but also an ecumenical center used by Jewish and
Protestant congregations as well. Hence, we are known as the
Parish Community of St. Nicholas.
Since its establishment, the parish of St. Nicholas has been known
for its love, warmth, and ability to reach out and respond to the
needs of the Community. We are a young family, continuing on our
journey of faith with God's grace and true Christian love.
|
