A History of St. Stephen Church
St. Stephen Parish is the
realization of a dream of about six couples who felt that they needed a place of
worship and gathering in the Bentonville area. Going to outlying churches, they
just couldn't feel the closeness, warmth and unity of a parish family. Also, it
was difficult getting to church in inclement weather.
These people rallied the Catholics in the Bentonville area and began positive
steps toward building a parish family. Toward the end of 1987 the request was
presented to the Most Reverend Andrew J. McDonald, Bishop of the Diocese of
Little Rock.
The Bishop approved the project and thus the first Catholic Community in
Bentonville was taking shape. The embryonic Catholic Church of Bentonville was
designated a mission of St. Vincent de Paul Church of Rogers with the Pastor,
Rev. Richard Oswald with Rev. John Marconi, Associate Pastor, in charge. As a
result, the first Mass of the Bentonville Catholic Church was celebrated on
March 5, 1988 in a public building. About 150 souls comprised the new parish.
The name of St. Stephen was chosen for the parish. A building committee was
formed. A Pastoral Council was elected. A building fund was underway and
enthusiastic parishioner pledges were received. Financing was arranged through
the Diocese. Building contractors, H.W. Roper, Inc., with architect, Rex
Morris, were engaged. Good progress was soon apparent.
The initial plan called for a multi-purpose building with facilities to serve a
growing parish. Today a permanent church building is attached just west of the
present structure. This multi-purpose building is now our Parish Life Center.
After two moves to public school buildings and the necessary planning and
construction of the new building at 1300 NE “J” Street, the first Mass in the
new facility was happily celebrated on October 6, 1991 at 10:00 AM.
The rapid rate of construction and final completion was certainly the result of
the fine supervision of the building superintendent and the cooperation of our
enthusiastic pastors and lay people involved. During all the moving and
shifting, a number of other positive things were happening. The PSR program
with about 50 children registered was started. First Communion was held, as were
Confirmation readiness classes. The CYO (later changed to Catholic Youth
Ministry) was formed. The Ladies Altar Society was organized. Our choir was
established. The Sunday bulletins were published and church dinners on special
occasions were started.
The formal dedication by the Most Reverend Andrew J. McDonald was held on
November 9, 1991. Assisting clergy were Rev. Richard Oswald, Pastor; Rev. Laval
Coutre, Associate Pastor; Rev. John Marconi, former Assoc. Pastor and Rev. Mr.
Leslie Vendl, Deacon.
A number of changes have since taken place. Father John Marconi was transferred
and Father Laval Coutre was assigned as temporary Associate Pastor. Father Laval
was later transferred, and Father Michael Sinkler was sent to us. He is still
with us.
Besides the Eucharist on Saturday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 7:45 AM & 10:00 AM,
Communion Service and/or Mass is celebrated on Thursdays at 8:30 AM in the
Chapel with Fr. Mike, or Carol Patterson officiating.
Our new worship space was dedicated on March 28, 2004. Seating 950 people
immediately, and expandable to 1400 as we continue to grow.
To further note the progress, St. Stephen has baptisms, marriages, funerals,
First Communions and Confirmations. Our Religious Education programs have grown
to over 425 students. We have Wednesday Evening Scripture Study, and Monday
morning women’s Scripture Study programs, Sunday Morning Catholic Café Adult
Formation and RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation). We also have dinners and
various other activities. Very important to the administration of the church is
a Pastoral Administrator/Director of Religious Education, Administrative
Assistants, Accountant/Liturgist, Youth Ministers, teachers, bookkeepers, choir,
musicians and choral leaders, altar servers, sacristans, lectors, Eucharist
ministers, ushers, greeters, social committee, welcoming committee,
groundskeeper, church clean-up crews, and volunteers for any task or program
which arises.
We dedicated our new Columbarium February 19, 2006. The current capacity is
144. Its stone façade is similar to the Baptism Font in the worship space.
The facility now provides us the dedicated worship space we have needed for so
long. The environment of this area is simplistic but beautiful in its angles
and colors. The stained glass that adorns the tower and Eucharistic Chapel,
Baptistery, sculpture of the Risen Christ and Liturgical décor all reflect the
vision of who we are as a parish and brings into full focus a setting of
holiness to be in communion with our Lord.
In addition, our worship space
has many wonderful areas that are attached for our use.
The Narthex that you enter from is for gathering before and after Mass, for
parents to take their children to calm them and then return to Mass. This area
also houses the Parish office, Accounting/Liturgy office and Elementary
Education office. We have three Chapels, one Eucharistic Devotional Chapel and
St. Francis of Assisi Day Chapel and Reconciliation Chapel. Three large meeting
rooms, Library/Conference room, work sacristy and liturgical environment store
room, choir practice room, dressing sacristy for priest, deacon and altar
servers surround the perimeter of the worship space.
Parish Life Center
We are now fortunate to be able to use our old worship space as our new Parish Life Center. This will give us so many opportunities to gather in fellowship for our parish dinners, social gathering on Sundays, youth retreats, etc. When this building was originally built it was designed to be both an area of fellowship for the Eucharistic celebration and parish social events. We now have both dedicated buildings to experience all aspects of parish life.