Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama recently visited Immaculate Conception Catholic Mission in Rocky Mount to celebrate Mass and recognize the mission’s 80th anniversary.
A historically African American parish, Immaculate Conception was founded under Bishop McGuinness, the second bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh. The parish was initially staffed by missionaries of The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known more commonly as the Redemptorists. At that time, Redemptorist missionaries were also located at St. Alphonsus in Wilson and also served in Goldsboro and Newton Grove.
Immaculate Conception is a mission of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, also in Rocky Mount. Father Tim Meares is the pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and administrator of the mission.
Following the Mass, parishioners celebrated with Bishop Zarama and presented him with several gifts, including a framed portrait of the church with a plaque acknowledging his visit for the mission anniversary.
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