About Saint John of the Cross · Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina
Saint John of the Cross is a Roman Catholic mission parish in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, in the Columbia Deanery of the Diocese of Charleston. Founded in 1959, the parish serves approximately 230 households from its worship space at 320 West Columbia Avenue, with a seating capacity of 335. It is notably a bilingual community, celebrating Masses in both English and Spanish, and is supported by a lay-led ministry program including youth ministry, religious education, music, and a Finance Council.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Saint John of the Cross
- Rector
- Father Rodolfo Lache Avila (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston
Why belong here
Saint John of the Cross welcomes Catholics and newcomers into a small, bilingual mission parish where members know one another by name. The parish offers a robust schedule of ministries — Music Ministry, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Adoration, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Sacristans, Liturgical Linen Service, a Flowers and Grounds team, a Parish Pastoral Council, and a Finance Council — along with active youth and religious education programs for children and adults (including RCIA). With weekly Mass in both English and Spanish, weekday adoration, Stations of the Cross in Lent, and a Friday praying group, it is a faithful place to worship, serve, and grow in Christ.
Mass times at Saint John of the Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Adoration times
- Thursdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (September through April)
Parish Identity and History
Saint John of the Cross is a Roman Catholic mission parish located at 320 W. Columbia Avenue in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. According to the Diocese of Charleston directory, it was founded in 1959 and today serves around 230 registered households in a sanctuary with seating for 335. It belongs to the Columbia Deanery of the Diocese of Charleston and is recognized as a mission rather than a fully independent parish.
- Founded: 1959
- Deanery: Columbia (Diocese of Charleston)
- Registered households: about 230
- Seating capacity: 335
- Mailing address: PO Box 2279, Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently led by Father Rodolfo Lache Avila as Parish Administrator, with Fr. Ismael Navarro Gandia IIC also listed as Administrator in the Diocese of Charleston directory. Lay staff and volunteers coordinate religious education, youth ministry, music, and parish operations.
- Parish Administrator: Father Rodolfo Lache Avila — (803) 924-3400
- Administrator (Diocese directory): Rev. Ismael Navarro Gandia IIC — (803) 532-1208, [email protected]
- Deacon: Reinaldo Mendoza, M.Ed.
- Director of Religious Education: Janet Hayden — [email protected]
- Director of Youth Ministry: Janet Hayden and Brianda Zuniga
- Director of Music: Samantha Esparza
Sacraments
Saint John of the Cross prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church. The Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) form the foundation of Christian life; the Sacraments of Healing (Penance / Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick) restore the soul and body; and the Sacraments of Vocation (Marriage, Holy Orders) consecrate states of life in service to God and the Church. Baptism Preparation is offered to parents, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) prepares adults entering the Church.
- Baptism (with Baptism Preparation for parents)
- Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Penance / Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- RCIA for adults
Parish Ministries
Parish life at Saint John of the Cross is shaped by a wide range of lay-led ministries that support the liturgy, formation, and the upkeep of the church. These include liturgical ministries (Music Ministry, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Sacristans, Liturgical Linen Service) and parish-life ministries (Flowers and Grounds, Offertory Counters, Finance Council, Parish Pastoral Council).
- Music Ministry — choir under the direction of the choir director
- Altar Servers — boys and girls from 3rd grade up
- Eucharistic Ministers — at Mass and to the sick and homebound
- Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Sacristans
- Senior Altar Servers
- Liturgical Linen Service
- Flowers and Grounds
- Offertory Counters
- Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
- Finance Council
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Religious education and youth ministry are central to parish life. The Director of Religious Education coordinates sacramental preparation, including Baptism Preparation for parents and the RCIA process for adults. The Director of Youth Ministry oversees programs that engage the parish's young people in faith, fellowship, and service throughout the year.
- Director of Religious Education: Janet Hayden
- Director of Youth Ministry: Janet Hayden and Brianda Zuniga
- RCIA — preparation of adult candidates for Catholic sacraments
- Baptism Preparation — preparing parents for their child's faith
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Saint John of the Cross by phone, email, or in person at the church office on West Columbia Avenue. The parish maintains a Facebook page, an active bulletin, and a website where the most recent schedule and announcements are posted.
- Address: 320 W. Columbia Avenue, Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29006
- Mailing: PO Box 2279, Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070
- Parish phone: (803) 532-1208
- Father Rodolfo Lache Avila: (803) 924-3400
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stjohnofcross.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/StJohnOfTheCrossBatesburg/