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St. Therese Catholic Church had its beginning in a beach cottage during the early 1900's as a mission of St. Mary Catholic Church in Wilmington, so that parishioners could attend summer Mass at the beach. Eventually a small frame Church was built and became known as the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea. In 1938 the mission was assigned its first resident pastor. The Church continued to grow and in October 1944 a new brick building was dedicated as the Church of St. Therese, the Little Flower. In 1954 the Church and rectory were severely damaged by Hurricane Hazel and had to be repaired and/or rebuilt. A new addition was added in 1963 that doubled the Church capacity. In 1976, a second Church, St. Mark's, was formed from the growing number of parishioners at St. Therese. The Church again suffered damage during hurricanes in 1993 and 1996. It was completely renovated and restored to its present state. In 1990 the Parish purchased a new rectory at MacCumber Terrace and in 2001 the property next door to the Church was purchased as office, meeting and classroom space.
St. Therese has grown, both in structures and in numbers during its 100-year history. It has developed from a handful of people to over 500 families and maintains a strong presence in the church communities of Wrightsville Beach and Historical Wilmington.
Rev. Joseph G. Vetter, Pastor
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