St. Charles Borromeo Parish was born in faith and hope in the fall of 1962. On the Feast of Christ the King, more than 1,100 parishioners gathered for the first Sunday Masses in the gymnasium of Alter High School—a humble beginning for a vibrant and growing community. Just weeks later, on November 4, Monsignor Martin T. Gilligan was installed as the parish’s first pastor, entrusting the new parish to the patronage of St. Charles Borromeo and the guiding spirit of Humilitas—humility.

From the start, St. Charles was a community rooted in worship, education, and fellowship. Early ministries quickly took shape: religious education programs for children and teens, a lively parish bulletin (the SPUR—Sacrifice, Prayer, Unity in Christ, and Religion), and opportunities for connection like the parish’s first “Koffee Klatsch.”

Growth came quickly. By 1964, the parish celebrated its first Mass in its newly constructed church, and St. Charles School opened its doors with more than 500 students. Guided by dedicated pastors, religious sisters, and lay leaders, both the parish and school flourished—expanding facilities, strengthening faith formation, and deepening community life.

Over the decades, St. Charles has continued to grow and evolve. New classrooms, worship spaces, and ministries were added to meet the needs of a thriving parish. In 1993, the current church building was dedicated, marking a significant milestone and a visible sign of the parish’s enduring faith. Sacred art, including the Mother and Child sculpture and a beautifully crafted crucifix, as well as the installation of a pipe organ, further enriched the parish’s worship life.

Leadership has played a vital role in shaping the parish’s journey. From Monsignor Gilligan to the pastors who followed, each has helped guide St. Charles through seasons of growth, renewal, and change. The parish has also been blessed by the service of permanent deacons, devoted educators, and committed parishioners who continue to build up the Body of Christ.

In recent years, St. Charles has entered a new chapter as part of the Mother of God Family of Parishes, joining with Ascension and St. Albert the Great in a shared mission. This transition reflects the same spirit that marked the parish’s founding—trust in God’s providence and a willingness to grow together in faith.

Today, St. Charles Borromeo Parish stands as a testament to what God can accomplish through a community rooted in humility, united in Christ, and dedicated to serving others. From a high school gymnasium to a thriving parish family, its story continues to unfold—guided by faith, strengthened by community, and inspired by the generations who call it home.

ST. CHARLES BORROMEO HISTORY

On December 1, 2024, the Kettering Catholic Community became known as the Mother of God Family of Parishes.  In the 5th century, a preacher named Nestorius gained popularity by preaching that Jesus was not united in his human and divine natures.  He argued, for example, that Jesus did not have a divine nature in the womb, and so Mary could be called the Mother of Christ, but not the Mother of God.  This teaching threatened to divide the Church, so the Roman Emperor Theodosius II called an ecumenical council to settle the matter.  This council, which met during the summer of 431, condemned the teachings of Nestorius, and declared Mary as the Theotokos – “God-bearer”.  This teaching is built on the doctrine that Jesus is fully divine, even in the womb; and fully human, even as he redeems our sins.  And so while the title “Mother of God” honors Mary, it is more about glorifying Jesus as fully human and fully divine from eternity to eternity.  Since the Reformation, however, the title “Mother of God” is one that has been closely connected to the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.  Not only does the name Mary, Mother of God honor our Blessed Mother, it clearly marks us as a Catholic community, and serves as a reminder to all that our three parishes are dedicated to honoring Christ, defending the lives of the most vulnerable, and proclaiming truth.