About Saint James the Younger · Conway, South Carolina
The Catholic Church of St. James the Younger is a diverse parish of roughly 1,600–1,750 households in Conway, South Carolina, part of the Diocese of Charleston (Myrtle Beach Deanery). It began in the 1940s as a tiny mission served by visiting priests and grew into a thriving, racially integrated community long before that was common in the South. Today the parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, runs a robust faith-formation program from kindergarten through high school, sustains more than 50 ministries, and maintains a Perpetual Adoration chapel on its Academy Drive campus.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- St. James the Younger (St. James the Less, son of Alphaeus, one of the Twelve Apostles)
- Rector
- Rev. Oscar Borda Rojas
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charleston (Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina) — Myrtle Beach Deanery
Why belong here
St. James the Younger is a bilingual, multi-generational Catholic community of about 1,600 households that has preserved a 'friendly family spirit' since its 1940s founding. Daily and weekend Masses in English and Spanish, a Perpetual Adoration chapel, and more than 50 active ministries — from Knights of Columbus and Ladies Guild to RCIA, youth ministry, Small Faith Sharing Communities, Parish Nurse Ministry, and Pro-Life Ministry — give every parishioner a way to worship, learn, and serve. The parish mission is simply 'Go and make disciples,' with a vision of being 'a community of joyful disciples.'
Mass times at Saint James the Younger
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
- Tuesday: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
- Thursday: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 7:00 PM Spanish Mass followed by Holy Hour
- Thursday: 6:00 PM Mass followed by Community Adoration
- Perpetual Adoration chapel available on the parish campus
Parish History
St. James the Younger grew out of a small band of Catholics who moved into Conway during the 1940s and — remarkably for the South of that era — was racially integrated from very early on. The mission officially began in 1945, served by priests who traveled in from St. Andrew in Myrtle Beach. Founding members included Marion and Frances Smith and their daughter Priscilla, and Holly Hollihan, the community-hospital nurse known for helping deliver hundreds of Conway babies. For years Mass was celebrated in private homes, a hotel lobby, and the local VFW building. A donation of $10,000 from the Prashacks, a couple from Wisconsin who stopped for Mass at the mission, helped fund the first church, which was built at Church Street and U.S. 501 and dedicated by Bishop Paul J. Hallinan with Father Henry Burke as first pastor. Growth surged in the 1990s as retirees and young families moved to the area, and a vibrant Hispanic community took root under Father Frederick LaBrecque (1995–2011).
- 1945 — Mission of St. James begins, served from St. Andrew, Myrtle Beach
- 1961/1962 — First church dedicated at Church Street & U.S. 501 by Bishop Paul J. Hallinan; Father Henry Burke first pastor
- 1992 — Parish purchases the former Waccamaw Academy campus on Academy Drive
- Current church built on the Academy Drive campus
- 2007 — Columbarium added; former gym renovated into the Founders Center
- Father Frederick LaBrecque (1995–2011) grew the Hispanic community
- Father Oscar Borda dedicated 'Unity Park' honoring Msgr. Chet Moczydlowski and Father LaBrecque
Mission, Vision & Identity
St. James describes itself as a community of joyful disciples. Its mission is the Great Commission — 'Go and make disciples' — and its vision is a community of joyful disciples. The parish's character is shaped by its bilingual (English and Spanish) worship, more than 50 active ministries, and a Perpetual Adoration chapel.
- Mission: Go and make disciples
- Vision: A community of joyful disciples
- Welcomes new parishioners through a Join/registration process on the parish website
- Bilingual: English and Spanish Masses, faith formation, RCIA and evangelization
Faith Formation
St. James runs a full Christian-formation program for children, youth, and adults — in both English and Spanish — under Director of Faith Formation Paty Hernandez. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is celebrated in the spring for students in 2nd and 3rd grade after a two-year course of instruction.
- Children's Faith Formation (CFF) — grades K–7, Sundays 11:15 AM–12:30 PM, September–May
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion — 2nd/3rd grade, two-year preparation
- High School Faith Formation
- Middle School Faith Formation
- Adult Faith Formation (AFF)
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — RCIA (English with Taylor Lilly; Spanish with Sr. Lucia Vazquez)
- Small Faith Sharing Communities — 12+ groups meeting mornings, evenings, weekdays, and weekends
- Baptismal Preparation for parents — bi-monthly, last Monday 7:30–9:00 PM
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry at St. James serves young people in grades 6–12 and their families. The aim is to form joyful, lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ through community, prayer, service, and retreats.
- High School Youth Ministry (grades 9–12) — meets Wednesdays 6–8 PM (dinner included)
- Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6–8) — weekly meetings with food, games, faith lessons, Adoration, prayer, music
- Peer Ministry Team — high-schoolers formed to lead ministry to their peers
- Diocesan retreats, Pro-Life activities, service projects, social outings
- Youth Minister: Taylor Lilly
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. James lists more than 50 active ministries and organizations, organized into Prayer & Worship, Christian Formation, Social Outreach, Building Community, Stewardship, Parish Organizations, and Affiliated Organizations. The parish actively invites parishioners to share their time, talent, and treasure through a stewardship sign-up form available on the website.
- Prayer & Worship: Altar Servers, Eucharistic Adoration, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Funeral Ministry, Greeters, Lectors, Music Ministry (Cantors & Choir), Pastoral Visitors, Prayer Chain, Traveling Chalice, Ushers, Worship Environment
- Christian Formation: Baptism Preparation, Faith Formation (HS & MS), RCIA, Small Faith Sharing Communities
- Social Outreach: Bereavement Ministry, Disaster Response Team, Parish Nurse Ministry, Pro-Life Ministry
- Building Community: Funeral Reception, Parish Picnic Committee, Welcome Committee
- Stewardship: Dust Busters Cleaning, Grounds Ministry, Office Volunteers, Tech Ministry, Trades/Skills
- Parish Organizations: Ladies Guild
- Affiliated: Catholic Charities, Churches Assisting People (CAP), Coastal Carolina Catholic Student Group, Columbarium Committee, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, New Direction (formerly Street Reach), Shepherd's Table
- Evangelization: Mission St. James, Prison Ministry, Rosary Making
Music Ministry
Music at St. James is led by Music Director Gene Borkes, who also serves as one of the parish's organists along with Bradley Hardee. Cantors and choir members are recruited from the parish through the Music Ministry.
- Director of Music: Gene Borkes
- Organists: Gene Borkes, Bradley Hardee
- Cantors and parish choir
Spanish Ministries
Hispanic ministry is central to St. James' identity. Spanish Masses are celebrated Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon, and Tuesday evening, and Spanish-language faith formation, RCIA, and evangelization are offered. Sister Lucia Vazquez Fuentes HMIG — of the Daughters of Immaculate Mary of Guadalupe in Mexico City — joined the staff as Director of Evangelization to support the Hispanic community.
- Spanish Mass — Saturday 6:00 PM, Sunday 1:00 PM, Tuesday 7:00 PM
- Spanish Holy Hour after Tuesday 7:00 PM Mass
- RCIA in Spanish — contact Sr. Lucia Vazquez
- Adult Faith Formation and Catecismo in Spanish
- Director of Evangelization: Sr. Lucia Vazquez Fuentes HMIG
Outreach & Charity
The parish extends its mission beyond its own walls through several outreach organizations and ministries.
- Catholic Charities
- Churches Assisting People (CAP)
- New Direction (formerly Street Reach)
- Shepherd's Table
- Disaster Response Team Ministry
- Parish Nurse / Health Ministry
- Pro-Life Ministry
- Prison Ministry
- Mission St. James
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Marriage preparation must begin at least six months before the proposed wedding; infant baptism is celebrated during a weekend liturgy; First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared over two years for students in 2nd/3rd grade; RCIA welcomes adults into the Church.
- Baptism (infant) — preparation through Paty Hernandez
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion — 2nd/3rd grade
- Confirmation — through youth ministry / faith formation
- Eucharist — daily and weekend Masses (see Mass Schedule)
- Penance (Confession) — see Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick / Pastoral Visitors — call parish office
- Marriage — arrangements at least six months in advance through Paula Loehr
- Holy Orders / Religious Life — supported through discernment programs
- Funeral Ministry
Columbarium & Founders Center
The campus includes a columbarium that is available to all registered Catholics of the Diocese of Charleston — a practical outgrowth of the parish's growth and a ministry in itself. The former school gymnasium was renovated in 2007 into the Founders Center, used for parish gatherings, ministry meetings, and parish-picnic events.
- Columbarium — available to all registered Catholics of the Diocese; contact the parish office
- Founders Center — renovated former gym, used for parish events
- Campus also includes parish offices, classrooms, and the church (seating ~400–450)
Clergy & Staff
The pastoral team is led by Father Oscar Borda Rojas and includes Parochial Vicar Father Lee Bultman, two deacons, and a full lay staff for faith formation, evangelization, youth ministry, music, and administration. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Oscar Borda Rojas (ext. 222)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Lucius "Lee" Bultman
- Deacon Tim Papa
- Deacon Jim Madison
- Executive Assistant: Paula Loehr (ext. 221)
- Secretary: Kathy Caughey (ext. 224)
- Director of Faith Formation: Paty Hernandez (ext. 234)
- Director of Evangelization: Felipe Castillo (ext. 234)
- Director of Evangelization: Sister Lucia Vazquez Fuentes HMIG (ext. 229/233)
- Youth Minister: Taylor Lilly (ext. 235)
- Director of Music: Gene Borkes
- Organists: Gene Borkes, Bradley Hardee
- Maintenance Director: Earl Videan (ext. 232)
- Medical emergency line: 843-457-4012
Visit, Join & Contact
St. James welcomes new parishioners and visitors. Mass is celebrated daily and live-streamed through the parish website. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM, and a 'Join' page is available online for those wishing to register. Stewardship forms (English and Spanish) are available to help newcomers plug into one of more than 50 ministries.
- Address: 1071 Academy Drive, Conway, SC 29526
- Phone: (843) 347-5168 — Fax: (843) 347-1212
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stjamesconway.org
- Parish Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Online 'Join' registration form and contact form available in English (and Spanish resources)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henry Burke1961– (first pastor, at dedication of the original church)
First pastor when the original St. James church at Church Street and U.S. 501 was dedicated.
- Msgr. Chet Moczydlowski
Honored (along with Father LaBrecque) with the parish 'Unity Park' dedicated by Father Borda.
- Rev. Frederick LaBrecque1995–2011
Began the Hispanic outreach that grew the parish's large Spanish-speaking community.
- Rev. Oscar Borda Rojascurrent pastor
Dedicated the Unity Park honoring his two predecessors; serves the parish alongside Parochial Vicar Fr. Lee Bultman.