About Holy Spirit · Johns Island, South Carolina
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Charleston serving the South Carolina sea islands — Johns, Wadmalaw, Seabrook, Kiawah, Folly and Horse Islands. From its small 1939 mission chapel on Bohicket Road to today's 1,000-seat sanctuary on Betsy Kerrison Parkway, the parish has grown from a lay-built wooden chapel that seated about 25 people into a vibrant Catholic community of roughly 819 households. Worship is offered in English and Spanish, with daily Mass in the original 1939 chapel that was carefully moved to the present campus in 2011.
- Established
- 1939 (mission chapel); canonical parish established September 7, 1967
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen D. Dyas, LC (Administrator, appointed by the Diocese effective August 1, 2024)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charleston (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Holy Spirit is a welcoming island parish whose footprint covers six South Carolina sea islands — Johns, Wadmalaw, Seabrook, Kiawah, Folly and Horse — making it a spiritual home for both year-round residents and the many visitors who worship at the islands year-round. The parish combines the prayerful weight of a historic mission chapel (still used for daily Mass) with the reach of a modern, 1,000-seat sanctuary, a Family Life Center, an active Hispanic Community, parish school of religion, adult faith sharing and bible study, a Respect for Life Ministry, and the Paraclete Foundation, which has repaired more than 60 homes of low-income island neighbors since 2018. Whether you are a local family, a winter visitor, or simply seeking a vibrant Catholic community on the coast, Holy Spirit offers Mass in both English and Spanish, regular confession, weekday adoration and abundant opportunities to live the faith together.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 8:15–8:30 a.m. (in the Church)
- Saturday: 3:30–5:00 p.m. (in the Church)
- Additional Lenten Confessions (2026): March 23–27 and March 30, with morning 9–10 a.m. and evening 6–7 p.m. sessions (plus 1–2 p.m. on March 26 and 27)
Adoration times
- Thursdays: 7:30–8:30 a.m.
- Thursdays: 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Parish History
Holy Spirit began in 1939 as a lay-built mission chapel on Bohicket Road, funded largely by donations from the Cathedral congregation in Charleston and constructed by 40 volunteers including three Knights of Columbus. It became a canonical parish on September 7, 1967 under Rev. John A. Simonin as the first resident pastor, and grew steadily through the second half of the 20th century under the supervision first of Blessed Sacrament Parish (1944) and then Nativity Parish on James Island (1958). The present 1,000-seat church on Betsy Kerrison Parkway was dedicated in 2004, followed by a Family Life Center in 2011 and the relocation of the original 1939 chapel to the current campus. The parish marked its 50th anniversary as a canonical parish on September 29, 2017, and continues to grow across the six sea islands of its territory.
- 1939: Mission chapel built on Bohicket Road for $714
- 1944: Supervised by Blessed Sacrament Parish
- 1958: Transferred to Nativity Parish on James Island
- September 7, 1967: Canonical parish established; Rev. John A. Simonin first resident pastor
- June 4, 1978: Church-hall addition dedicated by Bishop Ernest Unterkoefler
- May 27, 2002: 37 acres on Betsy Kerrison Parkway dedicated by Bishop Robert Baker
- February 16, 2004: Present church dedicated by Bishop Robert J. Baker
- 2011: Family Life Center dedicated; original chapel relocated to current campus
- September 29, 2017: 50th anniversary celebration
Clergy & Staff
Holy Spirit is currently led by Rev. Stephen D. Dyas, LC, who was appointed parish administrator by the Diocese of Charleston effective August 1, 2024, succeeding Msgr. Charles Rowland upon his retirement. The pastoral team includes five deacons — Mario Cardenas, RJ Dourney, John Hardy, Chris Mathewes and Joe Stocker — who serve at the parish. Lay staff support Music, Faith Formation (English and Hispanic), Communications, Finance and parish operations.
- Administrator: Rev. Stephen D. Dyas, LC
- Deacon Mario Cardenas
- Deacon RJ Dourney
- Deacon John Hardy
- Deacon Chris Mathewes
- Deacon Joe Stocker
- Parish Secretary: Jeanne Davis ([email protected])
- Faith Formation (English): Beth Mathewes ([email protected])
- Faith Formation (Hispanic): Ana Tovar ([email protected])
- Director of Communications: David Piccirilli ([email protected])
- Operations Associate: Stephanie Hamilton ([email protected])
- Financial Secretary: [email protected]
Mass & Sacraments
Holy Spirit offers a full schedule of Masses in both English and Spanish, daily confession, and Thursday adoration. The original 1939 chapel on the campus is still used for the Saturday morning Mass and other weekday devotions, giving parishioners a way to pray in a small, historic space even as the larger 1,000-seat sanctuary hosts the Sunday liturgies.
- Weekend Mass: Saturday 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. (English); Sunday 1:00 p.m. (Spanish)
- Weekday Mass: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. (in the Chapel)
- Confession: Monday–Friday 8:15–8:30 a.m.; Saturday 3:30–5:00 p.m. (additional times in Lent)
- Adoration: Thursdays 7:30–8:30 a.m. and 7:00–8:00 p.m.
- Holy Day schedule: call the parish office
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The parish runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for anyone inquiring about the Catholic faith or preparing to enter the Church. Sessions for the next group began Monday, June 22, meeting from 6:00–7:00 p.m. in the Mary Room (Cry room) inside the church. An interest form on the parish website connects inquirers with the formation team.
- Mondays, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Mary Room (Cry room) in the church
- Open to anyone interested in becoming Catholic or learning the faith foundations
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Christian formation for children at Holy Spirit is offered through the Parish School of Religion (PSR) for public-school youth in Pre-K through 8th grade, held Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. The program supports parents in passing on the Catholic faith, prepares children for the sacraments, and includes special formation events such as a children's choir, brunch with St. Nicholas and the Crowning of Mary. Children who attend Catholic school are served by Nativity Catholic School on James Island, the diocesan Pre-K–8 school used by Holy Spirit families. Catechist volunteers must be registered parishioners in good standing, complete the Diocesan Safe Haven program and pass a background check.
- Parish School of Religion — Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
- Director: Beth Mathewes — (843) 830-7149
- Hispanic faith formation: Ana Tovar (español) — (843) 345-0021
- Children's choir, St. Nicholas brunch, Crowning of Mary (special events)
- Diocesan partner school: Nativity Catholic School, Pre-K–8, on James Island
Adult Faith Sharing & Bible Study
Adult parishioners can continue growing in the faith through ongoing Adult Faith Sharing sessions and Bible Study. The parish has hosted group reflections on the Eucharist led by Deacon Joseph Stocker, with multiple seasonal sessions listed on the parish website.
- Adult Faith Sharing (multiple seasonal sessions)
- Bible Study
- The Reality of the Eucharist — presented by Deacon Joseph Stocker
Parish Life & Ministries
A wide range of parish groups and ministries invite parishioners into community life and outreach. The parish's ministries are designed to support families, protect life, welcome the Hispanic community, tend the campus gardens, and engage in spiritual reading and formation together.
- Respect for Life Ministry
- Hispanic Community
- Family Ministry
- Garden Ministry and Arimatheans
- Book Group
- Mardi Gras Oyster Roast & BBQ (parish fundraiser)
Outreach: Paraclete Foundation
In the autumn of 2018, then-pastor Msgr. Charles Rowland founded the Paraclete Foundation to help low-income neighbors on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands make essential home repairs. Together with Deacon Joseph Stocker and a founding committee of tradespeople, social workers, grant writers and parish volunteers, the foundation takes on projects — collapsed floors, failing roofs, broken plumbing, handicapped-accessible bath remodels, septic and HVAC replacements — for households earning on average about $15,000 a year. The foundation has been funded by Kiawah Cares, the Town of Kiawah Island and Holy Spirit parishioners; 100% of donations go directly to projects. As of mid-2022, Paraclete had completed more than 60 home repairs at a total cost of over $277,000, averaging $4,600 per project.
- Founded 2018 by Msgr. Rowland and Deacon Joe Stocker
- Serves Johns and Wadmalaw Island neighbors below the poverty line
- Repairs include roofs, floors, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, septic and accessibility modifications
- Funded by parishioners, Kiawah Cares and the Town of Kiawah Island
- 61+ homes repaired; over $277,000 invested; average project cost ~$4,600
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates each of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Information on preparation for Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage and Anointing of the Sick is provided through the parish office, and the OCIA program welcomes adults seeking to receive the sacraments of initiation.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony (Marriage)
- OCIA for adults
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are welcomed at the office Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Holy Spirit campus includes the main sanctuary, the original 1939 chapel (used for daily Mass), the Family Life Center (dedicated 2011), the priest residence, a columbarium and a parish cemetery. The parish's territory spans six sea islands, making it a spiritual home both for full-time residents and for the many seasonal and tourist visitors to Kiawah, Seabrook, Folly and the surrounding islands.
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Address: 3871 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island, SC 29455
- Phone: (843) 768-0357
- Fax: (843) 793-2958
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocesan Office of Child Protection Services: (843) 853-2130 x 209
- Diocesan Victim Assistance Ministry: (800) 921-8122
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John A. Simonin1967–
First resident pastor when Holy Spirit Mission became a canonical parish on September 7, 1967. Lived in a rented home on Hay Road used as the rectory.
- Rev. Msgr. Charles Rowlandpastor until retirement effective July 31, 2024 (Charleston native; previously pastored the parish for years, including the 2011 dedication of the Family Life Center)
A Charleston native who attended downtown parishes and Catholic schools; ordained by Bishop Ernest Unterkoefler; later founded the Paraclete Foundation in 2018 for essential home repairs on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.
- Rev. Stephen D. Dyas, LCAdministrator from August 1, 2024 to present
Appointed parish administrator in the Diocese of Charleston's summer 2024 assignments.