Founded in 1974, the parish was established by Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll who appointed Father Leonard Stachura as the first pastor. Mass was celebrated in various locations as the new parish gathered members. Father Wendel Schenley followed in 1978 encouraging the parish growth and development. When Father Michael Reilly came as pastor in 1980, his Irish enthusiasm and charm resulted in planning and building a permanent church at the resent site on Military Trail. By 1982 the parish celebrated Christmas in their New house of worship.
Father Reilly died in 1988, still a young man, who spent himself in providing a fitting edifice as a legacy for those who would follow. Father Peter Lambert continued the tradition of worship and service as members organized ministries and apostolates to grow in their Faith and evangelize the community. In 1995, Father Michael Sullivan saw the need for larger facilities and built a parish hall and offices to better serve the growing membership. An artist himself, Father Sullivan developed an aesthetic and reflective setting for the parish church now that it could be used exclusively for worship.
Msgr. James Parappally was appointed in 2003 and continued the tradition of the pastors faithfully serving the care of souls. He oversaw enhancements to the physical plant and an awareness of missionary outreach. Upon Msgr.’s retirement in 2010, Father Kenneth Whittaker arrived as the present pastor who told the members, “we do the work of our day, inheriting the labor of those gone before us, knowing we will leave unfinished work which will be taken up by those who follow”.
We invite you to join “… the work of our day ” as we take up the challenges following a pandemic which deeply affected the worship of so many people as we restructure and embrace the new opportunities which lie before us. Join us in pilgrimage of Faith at Our Lady of Mercy.