About Saint John the Beloved · Summerville, South Carolina
St. John the Beloved is a Roman Catholic parish in Summerville, South Carolina, part of the Diocese of Charleston. Worshiped at the same location at 28 Sumter Avenue since 1898, the parish is one of the oldest in the Lowcountry and its history is intertwined with that of Summerville itself. Today it serves more than 2,000 households with daily and Sunday Masses, sacramental preparation, an OCIA process, a parish school connection through Summerville Catholic School, a music ministry, and active outreach through organizations such as the Msgr. Richard C. Madden Council 6629 of the Knights of Columbus.
- Established
- 1898
- Patron
- St. John the Apostle and Evangelist
- Rector
- Very Rev. Raymond J. Carlo VF
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Charleston Deanery)
Why belong here
St. John the Beloved is a growing, warm, and welcoming Catholic community in the heart of Summerville that has worshipped at 28 Sumter Avenue since 1898. The parish offers multiple Sunday Masses, a daily 9:00 AM Mass Monday through Friday, Saturday confessions, First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, a full Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process, a two-year Confirmation program for 8th and 9th graders, an Adult Choir and broader music ministry, and active charity through its Knights of Columbus council — all under the leadership of Fr. Raymond J. Carlo VF.
Mass times at Saint John the Beloved
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM, or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Thursday (for Vocations): 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Parish History & Heritage
St. John the Beloved was founded in 1898, when the Summerville Catholic community built what local tradition holds to be the first brick structure in the town. Construction of the original church ran from May 15, 1898 to April 16, 1899, during which soldiers of the 14th Pennsylvania United States Volunteers were stationed at nearby Camp Marion. A stained-glass window from that original construction, dedicated to those soldiers, has been preserved and is now on display at the Summerville Museum. The original building served the parish until 1969, when a new church was constructed on the same property at 28 Sumter Avenue. As one of the older Catholic parishes in the Lowcountry, SJB canonically supported early Catholic mission life in the surrounding region — including the Bonneau chapel formally dedicated by Bishop William T. Russell on October 14, 1923 that became Our Lady of Peace.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Very Rev. Raymond J. Carlo VF, who also serves as Pastor of Summerville Catholic School and as Dean of the Charleston Deanery of the Diocese of Charleston. He is assisted by Deacons James Walter and Michael Carter, with Deacon Gregory W. Sams retired.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Raymond J. Carlo VF
- Deacon: James Walter
- Deacon: Michael Carter
- Deacon (Retired): Gregory W. Sams
- Parish Secretary: Rhoda Hiott
- Director of Music: Rodney Ward
- Accountant: Deacon Gregory W. Sams
- Administrative Assistant: Teddi Hunt
- Director of Maintenance: Richard Brisson
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
The parish runs ongoing catechetical formation for children and youth, alongside sacramental preparation programs that culminate in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
The parish's OCIA process — formerly known as RCIA — walks inquirers through the five stages of becoming Catholic: the Period of Inquiry (Pre-Catechumenate), the Catechumenate, the Period of Purification and Enlightenment with the Scrutinies, the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist), and Mystagogical Catechesis. Preparation typically runs 6–9 months, though the process is paced to each individual's journey. The Rite of Election is usually celebrated at the Cathedral with the Bishop of Charleston on the First Sunday of Lent.
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation is a two-year preparation: Year 1 in 8th grade and Year 2 in 9th grade, with classes held in Madden Hall. Candidates from both Summerville Catholic School and the Faith Formation program share the same track, and at least one parent or sponsor is expected to attend key parent sessions. A valid baptismal certificate must be presented at registration, and candidates choose a qualified sponsor, complete at least 12 service hours (8 parish + 4 community), attend a mandatory retreat, and maintain no more than three absences per year. Contact: Lisa O'Rourke, Faith Formation office, 843-970-7659.
Music Ministry
Under Director of Music Rodney Ward, the parish music ministry supports reverent and uplifting liturgy for the parish community. The Adult Choir draws parishioners of varied musical ability — from those who simply carry a tune to accomplished readers — and sings a wide repertoire from the Renaissance through the 21st century, including Gospel, Contemporary, and World Music selections. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings 7:00–9:00 PM with seasonal/sectional rehearsals as needed. The choir sings for Sunday and Holy Day liturgies and special programs, generally September through June.
- Director of Music: Rodney Ward
- Adult Choir — Wednesday rehearsals 7:00–9:00 PM; sings for Sunday, Holy Day, and special liturgies
- Youth Ministry (listed under music ministries on the parish site)
Youth Ministry
A Middle School and High School Youth Ministry is part of parish life and is required participation for those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The youth ministry works alongside Faith Formation to build community, service, and prayer among parish teens.
Outreach & Charity
Outreach flows largely through the Msgr. Richard C. Madden Council 6629 of the Knights of Columbus, based at the parish. Recent council efforts have included a baby bottle drive that raised $23,000 in cash plus more than $1,600 in maternity and infant supplies for Clare's Home, a maternity home in the Diocese of Charleston. The council supports the parish Table of Plenty food closet, SJB tuition assistance, the Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Vincent de Paul, Ronald McDonald House, Bayard House and Birthright (pro-life), seminarian tuition assistance, parish building improvements, Coats for Kids, veterans support, and disaster relief.
- Knights of Columbus – Msgr. Richard C. Madden Council 6629
- Table of Plenty / neighborhood food closet
- Clare's Home maternity support
- Pro-life support (Bayard House, Birthright, ultrasound machine)
- Tuition assistance and youth scholarships
- Care for the needy elderly (Little Sisters of the Poor)
- Care for the sick (St. Vincent de Paul, Ronald McDonald House)
- Coats for Kids; veteran support
Summerville Catholic School Connection
Summerville Catholic School has deep roots at St. John the Beloved. It opened in August 1984 under Monsignor Richard Madden, using the parish's religious education center, with Sister Mary Rose, four teachers, and twenty-eight children in kindergarten through second grade. As enrollment grew, a new school building was constructed and blessed in 1988 on a 12-acre campus about a mile from the church. Today SCS is a regional Catholic school (K4 through 8th grade) supported by four parishes — St. John the Beloved, St. Theresa the Little Flower, Immaculate Conception, and St. Philip Benizi — and Fr. Raymond J. Carlo VF serves as its pastor.
- Opened August 1984 under Bishop Ernest Unterkoefler's announcement
- First classes held in St. John the Beloved religious education center
- New school building blessed in 1988
- Regional school (K4–8) supported by four parishes
Parish Identity & Quick Facts
St. John the Beloved is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Charleston, located in the Charleston Deanery. The patron is St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, whose feast is celebrated on December 27. The parish serves 2,064 households, and the current church has seating for 600.
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Charleston Deanery)
- Founded: 1898
- Patron: St. John the Apostle and Evangelist
- Feast Day: December 27
- Households: 2,064
- Seating: 600
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Richard (Richard C.) Madden
Guided the opening of Summerville Catholic School in 1984 from the parish's religious education center; the local Knights of Columbus council at SJB is named Msgr. Richard C. Madden Council 6629 in his honor.