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Our Beginnings
Saint Andrew was officially established in July of 1983 as Bishop F. Joseph Gossman signed it into existence and assigned its care to the Friars of the Atonement. The need for a new parish came about as a result of the ever increasing growth of Catholic families in the Cary-Apex area. In September of that same year, Father Bill Schmidt, SA and Father Joe Cavoto, SA were assigned to Saint Andrew. Father Bob Langone, SA was assigned to Saint Andrew as a deacon and permanently after his ordination on July 1, 1989. Thus was the beginning of what is known as our "Faith Community".
As we envision what Saint Andrew will be like in the years to come, we realize that our Church and Community Center will be the focal points of our coming together in the spirit of fellowship. We are bordering on a new chapter in our brief parish history and would hope that everyone would commit to our cause with enthusiasm and sacrifice.
Descriptive Tour of the St. Andrew Facilities
St. Andrew the Apostle parish facilities rest on twelve acres of tree-lined land which conveys a sense of warmth and welcome to those who come here. As you approach the courtyard, to the left is the Fellowship Hall, to the left-rear is the entrance to the office and education wing. Straight ahead you will find the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and on the right is the Church. Upon entering the Church you pass through the Gathering Space. This area serves as a place of welcome and transition to the Sanctuary. Off the Gathering Space, you will find rest rooms, the Sacristy, and a devotional Chapel of Our Lady of the Atonement. Glass doors separate the Gathering Space from the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary, our principal worship space, seats more than 750. We celebrate Mass here at 9:00 AM Monday through Friday, 5:30 PM on Saturday and at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. We also celebrate Weddings, Funerals, and other liturgical as well as cultural events. Prominently located in the Sanctuary is the Baptismal Font, the Ambo, the Presider's Chair and the Altar. These are arranged around the Cross which supports the Church, symbolically as well as literally. The flowing waters of the Baptismal Font remind us that it is through these waters we become members of the Church. We welcome new members through Baptism during Mass. The Ambo is the lectern where the Word of God is proclaimed, either through Scripture, song or preaching. The President's Chair is centered in the Sanctuary to symbolize the central role of the Presider at worship. The Altar stands opposite the Ambo. It is the Table of the Lord and recalls the centrality of the Eucharist in Catholic life. The Choir space is to the left of the Altar reminding us of the prominence of music in worship.
Upon entering the Blessed Sacrament Chapel you will notice both the Altar and the Tabernacle. The consecrated Eucharistic bread is reserved here. Mass is celebrated here at 9 AM Monday through Friday and the Chapel is open for prayer until 3 PM. To the right of the entrance is the Reconciliation Room.
The Fellowship Hall serves as a place of gathering for the parish. It is used for socials, meetings, dances, dinners, classes, receptions and a variety of other purposes. The hall is also available for rent. On the way to the education wing, stop by the Library. Books, magazines, audio and video tapes are available to borrow.
Entering the education wing, you find the Nursery directly in front of you. It is spacious and has an attached, fenced-in playground. We encourage you to make use of it during Sunday Masses. There are five classrooms that are used for religious education, meetings, Mother's Morning Out and the Early Childhood Center.
St. Andrew's parish is a thriving, active and diversified community. We invite you to take full advantage of it and to be an active part of our parish family.
Click on a "thumbnail picture" below to view the full size version:
 Before Construction - Crowd holds banner and stands at future site of Saint Andrew Catholic Church.
 Under Construction - The lot and church under construction.
 Under Construction - The support beams go up.
 Under Construction - The cross serves to support the church.
 1995, Before the Corpus was added - View of The Sanctuary
 1995, Before the Corpus was added - Another angle of The Sanctuary.
 Present Day - The street welcome sign.
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