About Us

 

Our Mission

St. Ignatius, Hickory, is the oldest, active parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and is rooted in the Gospel, faith and tradition as a Roman Catholic Church.

As a Eucharist-centered community, we seek to love our triune God and one another by:

  • Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus and His Real Presence among us in the Eucharist;
  • Challenging one another to grow in holiness;
  • Welcoming those who are interested in learning more about our faith;
  • Inviting all who wish to worship with us;
  • Joining with other churches and community groups in comforting those who are sick, suffering, lonely, and less fortunate.

With thanksgiving to the Father, we profess our hope in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit throughout the third millennium and beyond.

History

Since its completion in 1792, St. Ignatius has been a strong Catholic presence in Harford County.  Six area parishes were begun as missions of St. Ignatius. Below are a few of the milestones of the parish.  We are proud of the achievements made over the years, but we realize that devotion to the Sacraments and to the Living Word are the most important bequest we can leave future generations.

1786 Building of St. Ignatius begun.
1792 St. Ignatius Church completed; dedicated on September 27 by Archbishop John Carroll.
1819 The first mission church, St. Patrick, Pilot Town, built by St. Ignatius.
1822 King Louis XVIII gave Archbishop Marechal of Baltimore a gift of a chalice for St. Ignatius. Side rooms built onto church for use as a rectory. The second mission church, St. John the Evangelist in Hydes built.
1845 Third mission church, St. James the Less built in Havre de Grace.
1848 An addition of 35 feet added to the main structure, and cypress roof replaced with slate.
1853 Daughter church, St. Patrick, Pilot Town, closed.
1856 Fourth mission church, St. Mary of the Assumption built in Pylesville.
1865 Bell purchased from the Joshua Regester Bell Foundry of Baltimore for $598.00.
1866 Fifth mission church, St. Francis de Sales, Abingdon, built.
1867 Belfry built for a cost of $672.00.
1871 Rectory built. Cost $5,734.00. The side rooms of the church became a school, which was closed in 1886.
1878 The Stations of the Cross purchased, framed, blessed and hung where they remain today.
1880 Painting of St. Ignatius purchased in Europe. The book’s slogan incorrectly reads “In this sign you will conquer”. This was the Roman Emperor Constantine’s slogan. St. Ignatius’ book should read “Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam: or “For the Greater Glory of God.”
1884 Organ purchased from Hook & Hastings in Boston for $1400.00.
1905 St. Margaret’s, the sixth mission church, was built.
1927 Electricity installed in the church.
1942 Rectory was divided into two apartments for servicemen and their families during WWII.
1967 Church closed for repair of roof and exterior walls; reopened for Christmas Midnight Mass 1969.
1974 Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary completed.
1981 Parish Center built.
1992 Expansion of parish center including a two story classroom addition and sanctuary completed.
1999-2000 Two houses across the street from the Church are purchased for use as a Rectory. The old rectory is torn down to make way for the New Church.
2001 New Church dedicated by Cardinal Keeler on December 2.
2002 New stone garages built behind the Parish Center for parish tractors and maintenance use.
2006 New brick storage garages behind rectories across the street added for parish and scout storage.
2009 Historic Church interior renovated. New pews installed that match the older ones. Niches created for the statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. The interior stone walls are waterproofed and new cherry wainscoting is installed on the side walls and on the sanctuary walls. Bishop Mitchell Rozanski, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, rededicates the Historic Church of November 10.
2010 Addition to the Parish Center completed adding eight new classrooms, a small parish library, a youth room and an elevator. The parish now numbers 4,100 families.
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