About Corpus Christi · Lexington, South Carolina
Corpus Christi Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Charleston located at 2350 Augusta Highway in Lexington, South Carolina. Founded in 1978 after beginning as a mission parish in 1968, the parish now serves over 2,200 households in the growing Lexington County area. The parish community is bilingual, offering Mass in both English and Spanish, and is currently led by Parochial Administrator Father William C. Frei. Centered in the Holy Eucharist, the parish describes its mission as bringing people to Jesus, forming authentic disciples, and sending them out to transform the world.
- Established
- 1978
- Patron
- Corpus Christi (Body of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. William C. Frei (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charleston
Why belong here
Corpus Christi offers a welcoming home for Catholics in the Lexington area with a rare combination of bilingual ministry (English and Spanish Masses), robust daily Mass and confession schedules, and a thriving Eucharistic Adoration program that extends into the evenings multiple days a week. The parish runs comprehensive faith formation for every age — from Family Formation for K-5, EDGE for middle schoolers, Confirmation prep, and OCIA for adults — alongside active youth ministry, a parish Assistance Ministry providing food and financial aid to those in need, and a columbarium for Catholic burial. With over 2,200 registered households and a pastor personally devoted to evangelization, it is the principal Catholic parish serving the growing town of Lexington.
Mass times at Corpus Christi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 5:45-6:15 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm
- Tuesday: 5:45-6:15 pm
- Wednesday: 11:30 am-12:00 pm and 8:00-9:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:45-8:15 am
- Friday: 7:45-8:15 am
- Saturday: 7:45-8:15 am and 3:00-4:30 pm
- Before daily Mass or by appointment
Adoration times
- Every Monday and Wednesday following the Mass until 9:00 pm
- First Thursday of the month: Evening of Recollection at 7:00 pm
History & Identity
Corpus Christi Catholic Church was established as a mission parish in 1968 and formally founded as a parish in 1978 in the Diocese of Charleston. Located along Augusta Highway in the heart of Lexington, SC, the parish has grown over more than four decades to serve over 2,200 registered households in Lexington County. The parish's name, 'Corpus Christi,' is Latin for 'Body of Christ,' and the parish centers its identity and mission on the Holy Eucharist.
- Founded: 1978 (mission status since 1968)
- Parish type: Roman Catholic, Roman Rite
- Diocese: Charleston
- Deanery: Columbia
- Currently over 2,200 registered households
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Parochial Administrator Rev. William C. Frei, who was ordained in 2020 and previously served as parochial vicar in Columbia and Greenville. He is assisted by two permanent deacons and a large lay staff covering operations, faith formation, music, communications, and facilities.
- Rev. William C. Frei — Parochial Administrator ([email protected])
- Deacon David Kepler ([email protected])
- Deacon Jason Werny ([email protected])
- Gerry Prestia — Director of Operations / Director of Facilities ([email protected])
- Guillermo J. Ramis — Pastoral Associate & Business Manager / Pastoral Assistant ([email protected])
- Tom Jones — Director of Community Life / Columbarium Consultant ([email protected])
- Scott Kramer — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Gordon Oswald — Youth Ministry
- Dr. Charles Renick — Director of Music ([email protected])
- Maria Coller — Director of Parish Engagement
- Marisa Krause — Director of Marketing and Communications ([email protected])
- Cecilia Ramirez — Parish Office Coordinator ([email protected])
- William Torres — Maintenance Custodian Assistant ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish offers faith formation programs for every age — from kindergarten through adult — including sacramental preparation, youth ministry, and the OCIA process for adults seeking to enter or complete their initiation into the Catholic Church. Scholarships are available to ensure all families can participate regardless of financial means.
- Family Formation (K-5): First Wednesday of each month, 6:00-7:30 pm
- First Holy Communion Preparation (grades 2-6): Sundays 9:15-10:45 am
- EDGE Middle School Ministry (grades 6-7): Sundays 9:15-10:45 am
- Confirmation Preparation (grades 8-9): Sundays 9:15-10:45 am (two-year program with community service requirement and retreat)
- OCIT — Order of Christian Initiation for Teens (grades 7-11): Sundays 9:15-10:45 am
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults: Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 pm
- Scholarships available covering up to 100% of registration fees
Outreach & Assistance Ministry
Corpus Christi operates an Assistance Ministry that provides food and financial aid (excluding rent and hotel bills) to community residents in need. The ministry is housed in a separate building on the parish campus and is staffed by parishioner volunteers.
- Assistance Ministry phone: (803) 359-6927
- Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00-11:00 am
- Location: separate building on parish campus (far right of parking lot, by American flag)
- Services: food assistance and limited financial aid
Music & Liturgical Arts
The parish maintains a Music Ministry under the direction of Dr. Charles Renick, supporting the Sung Mass (8:00 am Sunday), the Solemn Mass (11:00 am Sunday), and the Contemporary Mass (5:00 pm Sunday).
- Director of Music: Dr. Charles Renick ([email protected])
- Three Sunday Mass musical styles: Sung, Solemn, and Contemporary
Columbarium & End-of-Life Ministry
The parish maintains an on-site columbarium for Catholic burial, offering parishioners a sacred place for cremated remains within the parish they called home. Tom Jones serves as the parish's Columbarium Consultant.
- Columbarium Consultant: Tom Jones ([email protected])
- On-site columbarium at parish campus
Visiting & Contact
Corpus Christi welcomes visitors and new parishioners. The parish office is open during the week, and resources are available for those interested in registering, returning to the faith, learning about Catholicism, or becoming Catholic.
- Phone: (803) 359-4391
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 2350 Augusta Highway, Lexington, SC 29072
- Office hours: Mon/Fri 9 am-12 pm; Tue/Wed/Thu 9 am-4 pm (closed weekends)
- Hearing assistance: 'Listen Everywhere' app delivers audio to hearing aids via smartphone
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Raymond J. Carlo
Listed as pastor on joinmychurch.com (date of tenure not specified in available sources).
- Rev. William C. Frei
Current Parochial Administrator. Ordained July 10, 2020 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on John's Island, SC. Previously parochial vicar at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and chaplain to Cardinal Newman School in Columbia, SC; then parochial vicar of St. Mary's Catholic Church and San Sebastián Parish in Greenville, SC. Born in Spartanburg, SC; raised in Aiken, SC.