First MassMay 24, 1821
| Location | New Bern (William Gaston home) |
|---|---|
| State/Territory | North Carolina |
| County | Craven |
| Modern Diocese | Diocese of Raleigh |
| Historical Diocese | Diocese of Charleston |
| Date | May 24, 1821 |
| Priest | Bishop John England |
| Religious Order | Diocesan / Secular clergy |
| Rite | Roman (Latin) Rite |
| Confidence | confirmed |
| Submitted by | @_catholicwest |
Documentation
Notes
Bishop John England of the Diocese of Charleston (which then had jurisdiction over North Carolina) celebrated Mass at the home of William Gaston in New Bern, May 24, 1821, during a ten-day visit. Per the Diocese of Raleigh's own account, "'We were first': at least five claims, and maybe no single answer", this is among the best-documented early Masses in the state, though the diocese notes competing claims exist for "first" status among several NC towns.
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