About Nativity · Charleston, South Carolina
The Church of the Nativity is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Charleston, located at 1061 Folly Road on James Island in Charleston, South Carolina. Founded on April 5, 1959 when Bishop Paul Hallinan divided the Blessed Sacrament Parish, it was established to provide more adequately for the spiritual welfare of Catholics on James Island and surrounding communities. Today the parish serves about 773 households with a 750-seat worship space and runs the affiliated Nativity School (Pre-K through 8th grade). Its mission centers on faith formation, evangelization, social justice, and ecumenism through education, worship, and service.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary / Our Lord Jesus Christ
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. D. Anthony Droze
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charleston (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Nativity is a faith-centered Catholic community on James Island that pairs daily and weekend Mass with a Rosary after weekday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and Saturday Reconciliation. Families benefit from the parish's PSR religious education program, Children's Liturgy of the Word, and the on-site Nativity School serving Pre-K through 8th grade. Active ministries — Knights of Columbus Council 6250, Ladies Guild, Bereavement Ministry, Respect Life Committee, Senior Ministry, and outreach partnerships with Our Lady of Mercy Outreach, James Island Outreach, Meals on Wheels, and Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic — give parishioners tangible ways to live their faith in service of neighbors.
Mass times at Nativity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
- Additional times by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM (follows the 9:30 AM School Mass and concludes by 1 PM)
- Thursday 12:00 noon – Weekly Hour of Eucharistic Adoration (per bulletin)
History of the Church of the Nativity
The Church of the Nativity was created on April 5, 1959, when Bishop Paul Hallinan of the Diocese of Charleston divided Blessed Sacrament Parish "in order to provide more adequately for the spiritual welfare of its members." Reverend Monsignor John J. McCarthy was then pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church, and Father Theodore T. Cilwick, pastor of Saint Patrick Church in Charleston, was named the first pastor of the new parish, which began with approximately 1,400 members. The church was dedicated by Bishop Hallinan on April 10, 1959 — the same day Father Cilwick celebrated the parish's first Mass. The parish has continued to serve the James Island community for more than six decades.
- Founded April 5, 1959 by division of Blessed Sacrament Parish under Bishop Paul Hallinan
- First pastor: Father Theodore T. Cilwick (formerly pastor of St. Patrick Church, Charleston)
- Church dedicated April 10, 1959; first Mass celebrated the same day
- Initial membership: approximately 1,400 parishioners
Parish Identity and Mission
Nativity is one of the parishes in the Charleston Deanery of the Diocese of Charleston, currently serving 773 households in a 750-seat church. Its stated mission is to be a faith-centered Catholic community that, by virtue of Baptism, ministers the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to one another through education, evangelization, social justice, and ecumenism. The parish reaches out in love, respect, and support for all as it seeks to do the will of God.
- Diocese: Diocese of Charleston, Deanery: Charleston
- Current pastor: Rev. Msgr. D. Anthony Droze
- Households: 773; Seating: 750
- Mission: faith-centered community of education, evangelization, social justice, and ecumenism
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at Nativity spans childhood, youth, and adulthood. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) catechizes children in grades 1 through 8 and prepares them to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation; classes meet Sundays during the school year from 10:15 to 11:00 AM. Children's Liturgy of the Word provides age-appropriate proclamation of the readings at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, and a Nursery operates during that Mass for younger children. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) welcomes adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church, with volunteers serving as discussion leaders, sponsors, and supports. The Director of Religious Education coordinates these programs.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR), grades 1–8, Sundays 10:15–11:00 AM
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
- Nursery during the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Director of Religious Education: Mary L. Smith
Nativity School
Nativity School is the parish's Catholic elementary school, serving Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade at 1125 Pittsford Circle, Charleston. It opened in September 1960 with just four classrooms (grades 1–4) and 179 students, originally staffed by two Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius on loan from Blessed Sacrament School. The school expanded to eight grades by 1963 under the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy; the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius returned to lead it in 1964 and remained until 1995, when it transitioned to diocesan lay leadership. Today the school enrolls roughly 110 students and serves the parishes of the Church of the Nativity, Holy Spirit, and Our Lady of Good Counsel, as well as families from James Island, Johns Island, Folly Beach, and surrounding communities.
- Opened September 1960 with grades 1–4 and 179 students
- Expanded to eight grades by 1963; kindergarten added 1967
- Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius led the school 1964–1995
- Today serves Pre-K through 8th grade with about 110 students
- Address: 1125 Pittsford Circle, Charleston, SC 29412; phone (843) 795-3975
- Website: www.nativity-school.com
Liturgical and Music Ministries
Liturgical ministries at Nativity serve the worshiping community at Mass and include lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, ushers, and greeters. The liturgical schedule is published every four months. Music Ministry includes the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass choir, cantors for the other Masses, and instrumentalists. The Church Environment Committee enriches the worship space with flowers and liturgically appropriate decorations, and Communion to the Hospitalized and Homebound brings the Eucharist to patients at Roper Hospital and MUSC and to homebound and assisted-living parishioners on James Island.
- Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, ushers, greeters
- Sunday 9:00 AM choir, cantors, and instrumentalists
- Communion to the Hospitalized and Homebound (Roper Hospital, MUSC, James Island)
- Church Environment Committee
Parish Life and Community Building
Nativity's community-building ministries foster fellowship and mutual care. The Ladies Guild sponsors social events, service projects, and spiritual opportunities for the parish. Senior Ministry gathers parishioners age 50 and above for monthly lunches in the Parish Life Center. Bereavement Ministry prepares meals for families who have suffered the death of a loved one, delivering them to the family home on the day of the funeral. The Respect Life Committee promotes respect for human life from conception to natural death through prayer, education, and advocacy. The parish notes that all volunteers must complete the Diocese of Charleston's required background screening, codes of conduct, and educational training.
- Ladies Guild — social, service, and spiritual opportunities
- Senior Ministry — monthly lunch for parishioners 50+
- Bereavement Ministry — meal delivery for grieving families
- Respect Life Committee
- Diocesan background screening and Safe Environment training required for all volunteers
Service Organizations and Outreach
Nativity puts faith into action through several service and fraternal organizations. The Knights of Columbus Council 6250, based on James Island, is a fraternal and service organization of Catholic men whose core principles are charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism; at Nativity they host pancake breakfasts, charity golf tournaments, and participate in the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk and the 40 Days for Life campaign. The parish also partners with Our Lady of Mercy Outreach Center (founded 1989 by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy), James Island Outreach (a collaborative food pantry at 1872-C Camp Road), Meals on Wheels (delivered from the Charleston Area Senior Center via James Island Presbyterian Church), and the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, which serves low-income, uninsured adults on Johns, James, and Wadmalaw Islands.
- Knights of Columbus Council 6250
- Our Lady of Mercy Outreach Center
- James Island Outreach (food pantry, 1872-C Camp Rd.)
- Meals on Wheels
- Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic (BIFMC)
Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Msgr. D. Anthony Droze, with Rev. S. Thomas Kingsley in retired status. Two deacons — Deacon Jim Letendre and Deacon Dr. Hermes Florez — assist at the parish. Mary L. Smith serves as Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry, Catherine Bowen as Parish Office Administrator, Courtney Reed as Music Director (with an additional Director of Music listing per the diocesan directory), and Patti Dukes as Principal of Nativity School. Financial and maintenance staff support daily operations.
- Rev. Msgr. D. Anthony Droze — Pastor
- Rev. S. Thomas Kingsley — Retired, in residence
- Deacon Jim Letendre
- Deacon Dr. Hermes Florez
- Mary L. Smith — Director of Religious Education / Youth Ministry
- Catherine Bowen — Parish Office Administrator
- Courtney Reed — Music Director
- Patti Dukes — Principal, Nativity School
- Financial and Maintenance staff
Contact and Visiting the Parish
The parish office is located at 1061 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412, on James Island. The office can be reached at (843) 795-3821 or by email at [email protected]. The church is open daily from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM for private prayer and devotion. Visitors are warmly welcomed at weekend Masses and to learn more about joining the parish.
- Address: 1061 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412
- Phone: (843) 795-3821
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.nativitycharleston.org
- Church open for prayer weekdays, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Theodore T. Cilwick1959 (founding pastor)
Formerly pastor of St. Patrick Church, Charleston; named first pastor of the newly created Nativity Parish, which began with approximately 1,400 members. Celebrated the parish's first Mass on April 10, 1959.