1954 | Our Lady of Mercy is founded under the leadership of Monsignor Francis O’Brien to serve a large influx of Western Electric employees who relocated from New Jersey to Winston-Salem. To meet the needs of the families, two houses on South Main Street and land were purchased and the plans for the church were begun. |
1957 | Mass is celebrated at the new church facility on Mother’s Day. Our Lady of Mercy School is dedicated by Bishop Vincent Waters; Sisters of St. Joseph come to staff the school. |
1962 | Father Frederick Koch brings music to the Parish as its new Pastor. |
1967 | Arrival of Monsignor Lawrence Newman brings an era of financial recovery due to his resourcefulness and vision. |
1975 | Father Joe Kerin establishes both a Parish Council and Parish Commissions |
1977 | Father Ed Sheridan becomes Pastor, overseeing necessary repairs to the parish facilities. He also establishes the “Mercy 5 Miler”. During Father Sheridan’s tenure, Joe Schumacher is ordained as a Deacon. |
1987 | Franciscan Friars arrive and Pastor Canice Connors expands lay ministry and adult education; instills new life into the commissions. A Monthly Hispanic Mass begins. |
1991 | Father Conall McHugh is appointed Pastor and focus on the increasing Hispanic population in the area. |
1995 | Weekly Hispanic Mass is added to meet the needs of the growing Hispanic population. A vision committee begins looking at the future needs of the parish. |
1999 | Parish purchases the Bishop McGuinness High School property under Father Joe Barry’s leadership in order to re-establish our Church and School in a facility that will support the growth of our community of faith. Plans call for a renovation of the existing school building and the construction of a new church. |
2001 | Bishop McGuinness High School moves to new location in Kernersville . Renovations on Link Road site begin for OLM School |
2002 | Father Bill Robinson assumes role of Pastor. Our Lady of Fatima Chapel is renovated. OLM School moves to renovated property in Link Road. |
2004 | Our Lady of Mercy celebrates 5oth Anniversary with a Mass and picnic in Tanglewood Park. In September we broke ground for the construction of the new church. |
2005 | Church was dedicated on August 28, 2005. |
2010 | Our Lady of Mercy School is awarded the prestigious Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award. Within the last 15 years, our parish doubled its population. |
2014 | Friar Carl Zdancewicz assumes the role of Pastor. |