About us

St. Therese is a joyful and welcoming Catholic Parish, united in Christ, 

promoting discipleship through community, outreach, and service.

St. Therese Catholic Church is nestled by the sea on Wrightsville Beach.  We are united through Jesus Christ in our journey toward a full Communion with God.  We strive to create a parish community that develops, reinforces, and shares our Christian faith, values, and collective gifts.

Pastor:  Reverend William J. Upah

Operations Director:  Joe Baiunco

Music & Liturgy: Kevin Donnelly

Office Manager:  Heather McLaren

Our site was donated by the Corbett family in the early 1900s as a place for parishioners of St. Mary Parish in Wilmington to attend summer Mass. Eventually a small frame church was built and was called Our Lady Star of the Sea.  A resident pastor was assigned in 1938.  In October, 1944, a brick building was dedicated as the Church of St. Therese, the Little Flower.  In 1954, Hurricane Hazel severely damaged the church and destroyed the rectory.  The church was repaired and a new rectory built.  A new addition was added in 1963 that doubled the church capacity.  In 1976, St. Mark Parish was built to accommodate the growing Catholic population.  St. Therese Church again suffered major 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 offsite and began using the former rectory for an office, classrooms, and a parish hall.  In 2001 the adjacent property, now called the Grabowski Education Building, was purchased for additional parking, office, classroom, and meeting space.

There are 800 households and 2000 parishioners currently registered and active at St. Therese. We welcome vacationers and those looking for a place to worship, pray, and  seek the healing and peace available here in Word, Sacrament and nature.