About Immaculate Conception Mission in Cane Bay · Summerville, South Carolina
St. Francis Caracciolo Catholic Mission is a mission church of Immaculate Conception Parish (Goose Creek, SC) located in the fast-growing Cane Bay / Nexton area of Summerville, South Carolina, in Berkeley County. It is staffed and supported by the Adorno Fathers (Clerics Regular Minor, CRM), the same religious order that runs the mother parish of Immaculate Conception. Because the community does not yet have its own church building, it celebrates Sunday Mass at the Cane Bay Family YMCA and weekday Masses at a local Baptist church. Despite being a young mission (erected as a formal mission in 2021 and named in 2022), it has grown to roughly 300+ registered members and over 230 weekly Mass attendees, with active faith formation, prison ministry, Bible studies, and a music ministry.
- Established
- 2019 (first Mass; formal mission erected 2021)
- Patron
- St. Francis Caracciolo (born 1563 in Villa Santa Maria, Italy; died June 4, 1608; co-founder of the Adorno Fathers)
- Rector
- Rev. Rafael Padron-Hernandez CRM (Pastor of both Immaculate Conception Parish and St. Francis Caracciolo Mission)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston
Why belong here
St. Francis Caracciolo is one of the newest and fastest-growing Catholic communities in the Charleston Diocese, drawing young families to the booming Cane Bay and Nexton suburbs of Summerville. It offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — weekly Sunday Mass, Tuesday and Friday weekday Masses, First Communion preparation, Bible study, prison ministry at MacDougall Correctional, a choir and music ministry, rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet devotions, Stations of the Cross in Lent, and an active Women's Group — all under the pastoral care of the Adorno Fathers. Because the community is small and young, members can be genuinely involved in shaping its ministries and building its future permanent church on16 acres already being acquired near Black Tom Road and State Road 176.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception Mission in Cane Bay
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Sunday before Mass at the Cane Bay YMCA: 9:15–9:45 AM
- After Friday Mass at Living By Faith Baptist Church
Identity & Origins
St. Francis Caracciolo Catholic Mission is the Catholic faith community serving the Cane Bay and Nexton area of Summerville, SC. It is a mission of Immaculate Conception Parish in Goose Creek and is supported by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston and the Adorno Fathers (Clerics Regular Minor).
- First Mass: Sunday, June 2, 2019 at the Cane Bay YMCA
- Formally decreed a mission parish: September 24, 2021
- Officially named St. Francis Caracciolo: July 6, 2022
- Mother parish: Immaculate Conception, 510 St. James Ave., Goose Creek
Worship Schedule
Liturgy is currently celebrated at two borrowed spaces: the Cane Bay Family YMCA for Sundays, and Living By Faith Baptist Church on Nexton Parkway for weekday Masses.
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM at Cane Bay Family YMCA
- Tuesday Mass: 10:00 AM at Living By Faith Baptist Church
- Friday Mass: 10:00 AM at Living By Faith Baptist Church
- Confessions: 1st Sunday 9:15–9:45 AM at the YMCA; after Friday Mass
- Rosary after Tuesday Mass; Divine Mercy Chaplet after Friday Mass; Stations of the Cross on Fridays in Lent
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Children's Faith Formation is offered for grades K–6, held before Sunday Mass at the Cane Bay YMCA. In 2023, the first cohort of students celebrated First Reconciliation and prepared for First Holy Communion.
- K–6 Religious Education: Sundays 8:45–9:45 AM at Cane Bay YMCA
- First Reconciliation (first cohort): March 5, 2023
- First Holy Communion (first cohort target): May 21, 2023
- 25 children enrolled as of 2023
Bible Study & Adult Faith
Adult formation centers on a parish-wide Bible study using Ascension Press's 'No Greater Love,' gathering after the Tuesday Mass, with about 32 participants reported.
- 'No Greater Love' Bible Study — Ascension Press
- Held after Tuesday Mass
Music & Liturgical Environment
Because Mass is celebrated in a YMCA gymnasium, volunteers arrive early each Sunday to set up a sacred environment. Liturgy is enriched by the parish choir and music ministry leader, who provide both traditional and contemporary music.
- Parish choir and music ministry leader
- Traditional and contemporary music
- Weekly volunteer setup team for the worship space
Prison Ministry
At the request of the Diocese of Charleston, St. Francis Caracciolo Mission ministers to inmates at MacDougall Correctional Center. Permission has been obtained from the State of South Carolina to visit on Thursdays.
- MacDougall Correctional Institution — sacramental responsibilities
- Visits on Thursdays
- Coordinated with Father Binil Jose Attappattu CRM
Community Life & Outreach
The mission is described as young, family-oriented, and growing — with programs that intentionally bring members together beyond Mass.
- Women's Group
- Family gatherings
- Leadership Council of ministry/committee leaders
Future Permanent Church
The Diocese of Charleston Real Estate Office is negotiating the purchase of 16 acres at the corner of Black Tom Road and State Road 176 as the permanent site for a new church building. Glick Boehm Architecture Firm has been engaged to assist with design and master planning.
- Proposed site: 16 acres at Black Tom Rd & State Road 176
- Architect: Glick Boehm Architecture Firm
- Goal: master plan and dedicated church building to replace borrowed worship spaces
Clergy & Staff
The mission and its mother parish are staffed by the Adorno Fathers (CRM).
- Rev. Rafael Padron-Hernandez CRM — Pastor
- Rev. Binil Jose Attappattu CRM — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. German J. Coquilla Jr, CRM — Parochial Vicar
- Raphaelle Magistrado — Finance
Visiting & Contact
All are welcome at Sunday and weekday liturgies. Inquiries, sacramental requests, and Faith Formation questions are handled through the mother parish of Immaculate Conception in Goose Creek.
- Phone: 843-572-1270
- Email: [email protected]
- Children's Faith Formation contact: Sue — [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Binil Jose Attappattu CRM2019–present
First priest in charge of the Cane Bay mission; celebrated the inaugural Mass on June 2, 2019 at the Cane Bay YMCA; has remained involved through the formal erection (2021) and naming (2022); also holds sacramental responsibility for MacDougall Correctional Institution. Currently listed by the diocese as Parochial Vicar of both Immaculate Conception and St. Francis Caracciolo Mission.
- Rev. Noly Berjugea CRMfounding era (prior to 2023)
Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Goose Creek, at the time the Cane Bay community was first established and erected; named in the mission's founding history as a guiding figure along with Father Binil.
- Rev. German J. Coquilla Jr, CRMcurrent
Listed by the Diocese of Charleston directory as Parochial Vicar at St. Francis Caracciolo Mission.
- Rev. Rafael Padron-Hernandez CRMcurrent
Current pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish and St. Francis Caracciolo Mission per the Diocese of Charleston directory; also serves as Diocesan Coordinator for Hispanic Ministry.