About Precious Blood of Christ · Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church (PBOC) is a parish of the Diocese of Charleston located at 1633 Waverly Road in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Founded in 1985 as the 84th parish of the diocese, it grew out of a mission started in 1984 under Father Theodore Cilwick and even earlier celebrations of Mass in a non-denominational chapel on Pawleys Island and at the Litchfield Inn during the 1960s. Today it serves more than 1,270 registered parish families along the southern Grand Strand and is led by Very Rev. Paul D. MacNeil, VF, with a parochial vicar, two deacons, and a full pastoral staff. The parish describes itself as a community of faith, hope, and love organized around the ministries of Stewardship, Fellowship, Prayer and Worship, Christian Formation, and Social Outreach.
- Established
- 1985 (as a worshipping community); formally established as the 84th parish of the Diocese of Charleston in February 1986
- Patron
- Precious Blood of Christ
- Rector
- Very Rev. Paul D. MacNeil, VF
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charleston (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Precious Blood of Christ invites parishioners into a community of faith, hope, and love committed to stewardship of time, talent, and treasure. It offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — weekday and Sunday Mass, daily Rosary and Miraculous Medal Novena, an Adoration Chapel open Monday through Thursday, a strong music and liturgy program, and lively fellowship events — alongside outreach ministries such as Birthright, Habitat for Humanity, the Fr. Pat's Kitchen food program, and bereavement support. With over 1,270 registered families and a church expansion underway, it is a growing parish where new members can find a place to pray, serve, and belong.
Mass times at Precious Blood of Christ
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday after Daily Mass: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Saturday before Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Monday after Daily Mass: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- and by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM in the adoration chapel
- First Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM in the main sanctuary
Welcome and Parish Identity
Precious Blood of Christ greets visitors with a stewardship-themed welcome from Pastor Fr. Paul MacNeil. The parish community states: "We, the members of Precious Blood of Christ Roman Catholic Church of Pawleys Island, believe we have been called by God to use our time, talent and treasure to serve God and his children. We seek to be a community of faith, hope and love under the pastoral leadership of the bishop of the Diocese of Charleston, in union with the pope, and the Holy Spirit." The parish pledges to continue the Ministries of Stewardship, Fellowship, Prayer and Worship, Christian Formation, and Social Outreach as the framework of parish life.
- Mission rooted in stewardship of time, talent, and treasure
- Pastoral letter from Fr. Paul MacNeil on the parish website
- New Parishioner Registration Form available online
- Parish office open 9:00 AM–4:30 PM Monday–Friday (closes at noon on Thursdays)
History of the Parish
Catholic life in Pawleys Island began in the 1960s with Mass celebrated in a non-denominational chapel on the island and at the Litchfield Inn. In 1984 the community became a mission of St. Mary's Church under Father Theodore Cilwick, the Diocese of Charleston purchased 6.6 acres on Waverly Road, and a former four-car garage was converted into a chapel — today's Founders Hall. The first Mass in that worship space was celebrated in 1985, and in February 1986 the bishop decreed Precious Blood of Christ the 84th parish of the diocese.
- 1960s: Mass celebrated at a non-denominational chapel on Pawleys Island and at the Litchfield Inn
- 1984: PBOC listed as a mission of St. Mary's; diocese buys 6.6 acres on Waverly Rd.
- 1985: First Mass celebrated in the converted garage chapel
- 1986: Parish formally established; Rev. Thomas Evatt first priest assigned
- 1986: Diocese purchases an additional 10.7 adjoining acres
- 1990s: Father Francis J. Travis serves as first full-time pastor; the garage-church is enlarged
- 2006: Bishop Robert Baker dedicates the Parish Life Center on September 17
- 2022: Jacques Fabre-Jean installed as Bishop of Charleston
- 2023: Adoration Chapel opens
- 2025: Over 1,270 parish families registered; church expansion planned for spring/summer
Worship Schedule
The parish offers a full weekly schedule of Masses, devotions, and confessions centered in its worship spaces on Waverly Road. Weekend Masses are Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 8:30 AM. Holy Days have a Vigil Mass at 6:00 PM and Masses at 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM on the day itself, with Christmas Masses announced in the bulletin.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
- Daily Mass: Monday–Saturday at 8:30 AM
- First Saturday: 8:30 AM
- Holy Day Vigil: 6:00 PM; Holy Day: 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM
- Rosary: Tuesday–Saturday at 7:55 AM
- Miraculous Medal Novena: Wednesday after 8:30 AM Mass
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is staffed by a pastor, parochial vicar, retired priest in residence, three deacons, and a full team of parish coordinators, secretaries, and ministry directors. The staff list is published online and organized by function so that parishioners can easily reach the right person.
- Fr. Paul D. MacNeil — Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Renaurd West — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Fr. Patrick Stenson — Priest (retired, in residence)
- Deacon Steve Olenchock, Deacon Mike Appel, Deacon Tim Joseph
- Ellen Sullivan — Parish Coordinator/Pastor's Assistant
- Emma Morrow — Assistant Parish Coordinator
- Patty Guazzo and Linda Ludwik — Parish Secretaries
- Linda Cherry — Financial & Administrative Assistant
- Maureen Arneman — Director of Religious Education
- Michael King — Comptroller
- Andre Rakus — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Bobbi Rakus — Rectory Assistant
- Trent Bartram — Campus Facilities Manager/Director of Youth Ministry
- Dave Jurasinski — Fr. Pat's Kitchen Manager
- Nicole Del Valle — Events Coordinator ([email protected])
- General inquiries: [email protected]
Parish Ministries
Parish ministries at PBOC are organized under the vision of stewardship and the parish's stated ministries of Stewardship, Fellowship, Prayer and Worship, Christian Formation, and Social Outreach. The Parish Ministries Mission Statement is "To minister to those in need, through dedicating time and talent in our parish community to serve others as Christ has called us to do."
- Bereavement Support for Families — meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 9:15 AM
- Repast Meals
- Social Parish Events
- Church Gift Shop — open after Wednesday daily Mass and all weekend Masses
- Adult Learning
- Elder Issues outreach
- Birthright
- Habitat for Humanity
Faith Formation and Youth
Christian formation at all ages is one of the five ministry pillars of the parish. Maureen Arneman serves as Director of Religious Education and Trent Bartram as Director of Youth Ministry / Campus Facilities Manager. Youth and faith formation programs are coordinated through the parish office.
- Director of Religious Education: Maureen Arneman ([email protected])
- Director of Youth Ministry: William Hadden ([email protected]) and Trent Bartram
- RCIA and sacramental preparation available through the Religious Education office
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at Precious Blood of Christ is coordinated by Andre Rakus, Director of Music & Liturgy, working alongside Bobbi Rakus as Rectory Assistant. The music program supports the parish's weekend Masses, holy days, weddings, funerals, and special liturgies.
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Andre Rakus ([email protected])
- Choir and cantors serve weekend and holy day Masses
Outreach and Social Ministry
The parish's Outreach Ministries pursue the mission of ensuring each individual has the basic necessities for life, identifying each parishioner as a disciple of Jesus called to continue His mission of compassionate love, service and justice. Sub-ministries address fundamental rights of freedom, food, housing, health care, a living wage, education, and family and community relationships.
- Fr. Pat's Kitchen — feeding ministry managed by Dave Jurasinski
- Birthright — led by Mary Rana
- Habitat for Humanity
- Elder Issues
- Adult Learning
- Volunteer opportunities listed on the Outreach Ministries page
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, PBOC sustains a daily rhythm of devotion, including the Rosary each morning Tuesday through Saturday and the Miraculous Medal Novena after Wednesday Mass. The Adoration Chapel (opened 2023) provides extended quiet prayer throughout the week.
- Rosary: Tuesday–Saturday, 7:55 AM
- Miraculous Medal Novena: Wednesday after the 8:30 AM Mass
- Eucharistic Adoration: Monday–Thursday in the chapel; First Friday in the main sanctuary
- Marriage Anniversary Mass (annual)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments in cooperation with families and the Religious Education office. Reconciliation has set weekly times plus appointments, baptism and marriage preparation are arranged through the parish office, and the sick and homebound are visited on request.
- Reconciliation: Saturdays and Mondays (see schedule)
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation: through the Religious Education office
- Marriage preparation and annual Marriage Anniversary Mass
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion to the homebound by request
Visiting and Contact
The parish welcomes visitors and is happy to help with questions by phone, email, or in person at the parish office on Waverly Road in Pawleys Island.
- Address: 1633 Waverly Road, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
- Phone: 843-237-3428
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (closes at noon on Thursdays)
- General email: [email protected]
- New Parishioner Registration Form available on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Theodore Cilwick1984 (mission stage)
Pastor of St. Mary's Church, Georgetown; oversaw the listing of PBOC as a mission of St. Mary's.
- Rev. Thomas Evatt1986
First priest assigned after the parish was formally established; shared ministry between PBOC and St. Mary's in Georgetown.
- Rev. Francis J. Travis
PBOC's first full-time pastor; oversaw the enlargement of the original garage-church.
- Rev. Patrick ('Fr. Pat') Stenson
Long-serving pastor who recommended and oversaw purchase of a permanent off-campus rectory; retired, succeeded by Fr. MacNeil.
- Very Rev. Paul D. MacNeil, VFfrom March (recent year)
Current pastor.