Our Vision
Recognizing our rich historical heritage, we embrace the future with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Padre Leon, Pastor
In June 2015, Padre Marcos Léon came to Saint Bernadette Catholic Church in Butner. As a native of Peru, Padre had been in the United States for 23 years with 16 years in the Priesthood. Padre Léon has brought many talents which invigorated the Catholic community. He directed much needed repairs and upgrades to the church building for the safety and well being of the congregation. Padre Léon has nurtured the multicultural church allowing it to continue to grow into the welcoming Body that Christ calls her to be.
The Beginning
During the Second World War , U.S. Army officials purchased 40,000 acres to build Camp Butner. The camp included three chapels to serve the spiritual needs of the soldiers. At the end of the war, the Catholic chapel was abandoned, but it was not entirely forgotten. In 1952, committed Catholics worked to make sure the neglected chapel in Butner got the attention of then Bishop Waters. On February 19, 1958 804 West D Street was officially purchased for $9,000. This was the beginning of Saint Bernadette Catholic Church. A long line of mission priests would serve Saint Bernadette over the years.
The Middle Years
On July 6, 1999 Sister Carol Loughney became a fulltime Pastoral Administrator for Saint Bernadette. Sister Carol immediately started improvements to the community. Parish and Finance Councils were established, regular catechism classes began and a Knights of Columbus Council was formed. The pews were filling with Catholics moving to North Carolina from northern states and from Spanish -speaking countries. In the fall of 2008, Bishop Burbidge celebrated the community’s 50th anniversary. The following spring, Sister Carol celebrated her 50th Jubilee. After the retirement of Sister Carol, Father Dominic Thomas arrived in June 2014 as the first resident priest. Father Dominic served the community for a year with a new level of devotion and spirituality. June 2015 marked the arrival of Padre Marcos Léon.
Our Parish Today
On August 25, 2019 , Most Reverend Luis Rafael Zarama, Bishop of Raleigh elevated Saint Bernadette Catholic Church to a Parish and Installed Padre Marcos Léon as Pastor.