The need for a worship space for Catholics in North Fayetteville became apparent in the late 1970s. The Diocese commissioned Father Corbin W. Ketchersid, a retired Army Chaplain from Fort Bragg, to lead the inquiry process of starting such a space. Saint Patrick became the mother parish of this new Catholic mission. 

A group of Catholics met at the chapel of Adcock Funeral Home in Spring Lake to celebrate the first Mass with Fr. Ketchersid on November 29, 1980. A former 7-Eleven store building on McArthur Road became the subsequent location for Sunday Mass.

The parish of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was officially established a year later, on November 18, 1981, becoming the first parish in the Diocese to be entrusted to the patronage of the first native-born American citizen to be canonized (September 14, 1975). Her spirit was already present in the area in the Daughters of Charity sisters who had ministered in town. Father Ketchersid became the first pastor. 

A parcel of land was purchased on Andrews Road. and an all-purpose building and rectory were completed in May of 1982. Bishop Joseph Gossman dedicated the building on September 19, 1982. Membership continued to grow and by 1987 the parish was debt-free.

Construction of the current church building started in the spring of 1991 and the first Mass was celebrated on Palm Sunday 1992. Bishop Gossman dedicated the sanctuary five months later on September 13^th, ten years after the dedication of the first building. 

The parish’s proximity to Fort Bragg produces a continual rotation of families, making it a diverse faith community and a mirror of the Universal Church.

• 1980: The first Mass is celebrated by Fr. Corbin Ketchersid at Adcock Funeral Home (Nov. 29). The congregation soon moves to McArthur Road, home of the famous "Saint 7-Eleven storefront.
• 1981: The parish is officially established (Nov. 18) under the patronage of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint.
• 1982: Construction of the original rectory and all-purpose building on Andrews Road is completed (sept. 19).
• 1992: The current church building is dedicated (Sept 13) by Bishop Joseph Gossman.
• 2012: A major renovation is completed to update the sanctuary for our expanding community.