Religion: Light in Newton Grove

In the little North Carolina town of Newton Grove (pop. 450), two frame churches stand 200 yds. apart. Both are Roman Catholic. Until this week the Church of the Holy Redeemer had some 350 members, all white; the Church of St. Benedict had about 90 members, all Negro.

Last Sunday, they became officially one mixed congregation of 440. But for all three Masses only 58 people came.

The merger was anything but Newton Grove's idea. Bishop Vincent S. Waters of Raleigh, a Virginian by birth, ordered it in a letter read from the pulpits of both churches on April 19. The tiny...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!