The makings of
the present-day Immaculate Conception Mission began in 1977
when a group of laymen founded the Orthodox Roman Catholic
Movement, Inc. to preserve Catholic Tradition and support
traditionally-minded priests. On October 2, the first Mass for
the group was said at the Holiday Inn Scope in Norfolk, VA.
In the summer of 1978, the ORCM begins to have Mass offered
frequently at the Quality Inn on Military Highway in Norfolk.
By September 3, the mission of Our Lady of the Rosary
(Traditional Catholics of Tidewater, Inc.) is formed, and Mass
is said by the late Fr. Roy Randolph at Nick’s Steak House,
also on Military Highway. In 1979, this same group purchases
4.4 acres on McCosh Drive in Chesapeake, VA in order to
establish a permanent chapel.
In 1980, the responsibility of offering Mass is shared by Fr.
Randolph with the SSPX due to his having hip surgery. On July
6, the first Mass is said in Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel.
Between 1981 and 1982, the ORCM is dissolved and the property
is turned over to the SSPX.
With the expulsion of the sedevacantist “Nine” in April / May
1983, some of the parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary and
subsequently the newly obtained property unfortunately remains
with them. Those who remained with the SSPX attend Mass
offered by Fr. Bourmaud, once again at Nick’s Steak House.
From 1984 until 1985, the SSPX priests continue to service the
stalwart mission from Ridgefield, CT and other places on the
East Coast. Mass is said during this period at the Quality Inn
on Bonney Road in Virginia Beach.
In April 1986, to the delight of the mission, Archbishop
Lefebvre celebrated Mass and administered Confirmations for
them at the new Expressway Quality Inn on Bonney Road.
Between 1987 and 1988, Masses are offered weekly on Sunday at
the Days Inn (the old Quality Inn) and parish membership
continue to rise steadily. In June 1988, Fr. Terry Marks of
Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Richmond, VA agrees to come and
offer Mass on the Sundays, except when an SSPX priest is
scheduled to say Mass. In September 1989, the mission adopts
Our Lady’s title of "Immaculate Conception" as its patroness.
From 1991 to 1997, the mission continued with weekly Mass on
Sunday, and a building fund was implemented to purchase
property on which to build a church. This became a reality on
November 27, 1997, the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous
Medal, when the mission purchased 3.9 acres of land off Dam
Neck Road in Virginia Beach, just 12 minutes from the Clarion.
However, a chapel has yet to be constructed.
Currently, Mass is said at the Doubletree Hotel in Virginia
Beach, with 50-70 persons in attendance for Mass. |