Carved from St. Alphonsus parish in 1975 to serve the citizens of east Ocean Springs, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church was established by Most Reverend Joseph Brunini, bishop of the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson. Appointed by Bishop Brunini to serve her parishioners, Reverend Noel Fannon celebrated the first Mass of St. Elizabeth Seton on October 12, 1975.
Mass at St. Elizabeth Seton was celebrated in the former Wayside Furniture building on Highway 90 until 1978 when a new 8,000 square foot, multi-purpose building on a ten-acre lot was dedicated by Most Reverend Joseph Howze, bishop of the new Diocese of Biloxi formed in 1977 from the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson. The new structure seated 350 people and served as home to St. Elizabeth Seton’s parishioners for ten years.
The growth of our parish combined with heavy rains forced the construction of a new building in 1987. This 9,180 square foot structure provided seating for 460 people in the nave and had more amenities including a spacious vestibule, larger sacristy and cry room, multiple confessionals, and extra storage rooms.
The old structure was named "Fannon Hall" in honor of our first pastor, Reverend Noel Fannon. Additional classrooms were added to the hall in 1993 to accommodate the growing number of catechism students. With recent renovations, this structure continues to serve the St. Elizabeth Seton family by housing the parish offices, serving as a meeting space for religious education classes, vacation bible school, ministry meetings, receptions, family gatherings, and more.
In 2001, the adjoining eleven acres to the north was purchased. This property included a brick house that now serves the Knight of Columbus Council.
Under the guidance of Reverend Noel Fannon, Reverend George Kitchin, Reverend Bernard Farrell, and Deacon Martin Finnegan, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church has grown from 150 families in 1975 to over 600 today with more than 1,200 baptisms, 300 marriages, 800 confirmations, 1,100 First Communions, and 400 funerals performed.
Originally from Saltillo, Mexico, Reverend Sergio Balderas celebrated his first Mass as pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton on January 18, 2014 and continues to serve her members today. His understanding of the faith combined with his wisdom beyond his years has been a great asset and a wonderful addition to our parish family.
Deacon Mike Butler was ordained in the Diocese of Biloxi on May 21, 2016 and assigned to St. Elizabeth Seton. His spirit and passion are unmatched, making him unforgettable from the youth he guides to the elders he loves.
As the great-grandchidren of our original parishioners remain, we continue to see new faces among us. All are welcomed in Jesus' name and in the tradition of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who, despite tragedies in her own life, welcomed new souls into her community, teaching children, establishing orphanages, and setting the groundwork for the parochial school system in the United States.
Information provided by Brenda Finnegan, Regina Hines, Ann Hilt