About Saint Joseph · Anderson, South Carolina
Saint Joseph Catholic Church is a Franciscan-served parish in Anderson, South Carolina, founded in 1868 within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Greenville Deanery). The parish is home to roughly 750 active households and operates both the church and St. Joseph Catholic School (described as 'Anderson's Oldest Private School,' established in 1967). Under the leadership of Pastor Rev. Philip S. Gillespie and three deacons, the community offers daily and weekend Masses in English, a robust sacramental and faith-formation program, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and around 40 lay ministry opportunities organized around Prayer & Worship, Formation & Evangelization, Community Building, Community Outreach, and Stewardship & Communication.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Philip S. Gillespie
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Greenville Deanery)
Why belong here
Saint Joseph offers a full sacramental and devotional life in a tight-knit Franciscan tradition: daily Mass, three weekday confession windows, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and two Sunday Masses. Parishioners can grow in faith through Religious Education (K–8), a Youth Ministry for grades 6–12, RCIA for adults, and a parish school. With roughly 40 ministries — from choir and lectors to Catholic Women Serving and the Knights of Columbus — there is a concrete way for every household to belong, serve, and form community in the Greater Anderson area.
Mass times at Saint Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm
- Tuesday & Thursday: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Wednesday & Friday: 9:15 am – 10:15 am
- Also by appointment (per Diocese of Charleston directory: Saturday 4:15–4:45 pm or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- First Friday of the month: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- First Sunday of the month: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Parish Mission and Identity
Saint Joseph Catholic Church is a Franciscan-served parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, situated in the Greenville Deanery and serving the Greater Anderson area of South Carolina. The parish mission statement reads: 'We, the people of God at St. Joseph Catholic Church & School, acknowledge the mission of Holy Mother Church as seeking the salvation of souls by making disciples of all nations—teaching them all that Jesus Christ has commanded (Mt. 28:19-20).' Around 750 active households worship at the parish, which seats approximately 500.
- Founded: 1868
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Greenville Deanery)
- Religious order: Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province (New York)
- Seating: ~500; Households: ~750 active
Faith Formation: Religious Education and Youth Ministry
The Religious Education program (CCD) serves children in Grades 1 through 8 and is staffed entirely by volunteer catechists who continually update their own formation. It is grounded in the Second Vatican Council's 'Declaration on Christian Education.' The parish reminds parents of their duty to provide their children with spiritual programs that aid their development as Christians and citizens.
- Volunteer catechist team
- Grades 1–8 CCD classes
- Contact: Jan Heithaus, Director of Religious Education — [email protected]
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry serves students in grades 6 through 12. It meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at 12:30 pm in Fr. Friend Hall for food, fellowship, and faith. The program is centered on the verse 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Philippians 4:13).
- Grades 6–12
- Meets 1st & 3rd Sundays, 12:30 pm, Fr. Friend Hall
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults prepares adult candidates for the Catholic sacraments. Anyone interested in learning about Catholicism — or completing the sacraments of initiation — is invited to contact the parish office at 864-225-5341 to join the next class series.
- Adult initiation and sacramental preparation
- Contact: 864-225-5341 or [email protected]
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Baptisms are scheduled on Sundays at 12:30 pm; parents must be registered at St. Joseph for at least six months, regularly attending Mass and participating in parish life, and must complete a baptismal preparation class. Confession is offered at multiple times each week (see Mass and Confession Schedule). RCIA supports adults entering the Church. Couples preparing for marriage and families seeking Anointing of the Sick should contact the parish office.
- Baptism (Sun 12:30 pm; prep class required)
- Reconciliation (multiple weekly slots)
- Eucharist (daily and weekend Masses)
- Confirmation (via RCIA for adults; contact office)
- Marriage (contact parish office)
- Anointing of the Sick (contact parish office)
Liturgical Ministries
Saint Joseph sustains a vibrant liturgy supported by lay liturgical ministers. The parish choir rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm in the church and typically sings at the 11:00 am Sunday Mass; singers grade 9 and up are welcome. Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Sunday Mass and receive training in public reading and proclamation. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist with distributing the Body and Blood of Christ; they must be baptized, confirmed Catholics who regularly share in the Eucharist and demonstrate interest in the community's life.
- Music Ministry — Jarrad (Jerrad) Fenske; Wed 7:00 pm rehearsal; sings at 11:00 am Sunday Mass
- Lectors — proclaim Scripture at Sunday Masses
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — distribute Host and Precious Blood
Parish Ministries and Service Groups
Beyond liturgy, the parish runs roughly 40 lay ministries organized around Prayer & Worship, Formation & Evangelization, Community Building, Community Outreach, and Stewardship & Communication. Catholic Women Serving (CWS) was founded in February 2015 as a united voice for women of the parish. CWS members host dinners, support a backpack program, help in the school lunchroom, run the Angel Tree at Christmas, and assist other ministries; meetings are typically held on the last Saturday of most months at 9:30 am in Fr. Friend Hall. The Knights of Columbus Council #8295 and the St. Joseph Men's Club are also active, jointly sponsoring an annual golf tournament at Cobb's Glen Country Club that benefits the school.
- Catholic Women Serving (CWS) — meets last Sat of most months, 9:30 am, Fr. Friend Hall
- Knights of Columbus Council #8295
- St. Joseph Men's Club
- Annual Golf Tournament at Cobb's Glen Country Club (October)
St. Joseph Catholic School
Established in 1967 and widely known as 'Anderson's Oldest Private School,' St. Joseph Catholic School shares the parish campus at 1200 Cornelia Road and now enrolls students in 3K through 8th grade, including the free First Steps 4K program for eligible four-year-olds. The school is supported by parish groups (CWS, Men's Club, Knights of Columbus) and participates in 'Many Gifts, One Nation: A Day of Giving to Catholic Schools.' Tuition assistance and a Matching Scholarship Fund administered with the Diocese of Charleston are available. A current 'Building for Now and the Future' capital campaign ($3 million goal) supports school expansion. School contact: 864-760-1619 / [email protected].
- Grades: 3K – 8 (plus free First Steps 4K)
- Phone: 864-760-1619
- Capital Campaign: 'Building for Now and the Future' — $3M goal
- Annual Golf Tournament fundraiser
- Matching Scholarship Fund with Diocese of Charleston
Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Philip S. Gillespie, with Rev. David A. Runnion, JD, in residence. Three deacons — Rev. Mr. Salvatore L. Cancello, Rev. Mr. John DeWolfe, and Rev. Mr. Chet Johns — assist with liturgy and pastoral care. Lay staff include Jan Heithaus (Director of Religious Education), Anna Boyd (Director of Music), Jarrad (Jerrad) Fenske (Choir Director), Rick Bismack (Building & Grounds), and Linda McCormick and Kathryn (Kate) Edwards (Finance).
- Pastor: Rev. Philip S. Gillespie
- In Residence: Rev. David A. Runnion JD
- Deacons: Salvatore L. Cancello, John DeWolfe, Chet Johns
- DRE: Jan Heithaus
- Director of Music: Anna Boyd
- Choir Director: Jarrad (Jerrad) Fenske
- Building & Grounds: Rick Bismack
- Finance: Linda McCormick, Kate Edwards
Contact, Office Hours, and Visit
The parish office (Shook Center) is located at 1303 McLees Road, Anderson, SC 29621, with the church and school at 1200 Cornelia Road. Office hours are Monday 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm, Tuesday through Thursday 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, and Friday 9:30 am – 12:00 pm; the office is closed on Holy Days (e.g., Aug. 15, Dec. 8, Good Friday). The general parish phone is 864-225-5341 and email is [email protected]. Visitors are encouraged to verify Mass times via the current bulletin or online calendar.
- Parish Office: 1303 McLees Road, Anderson, SC 29621 (Shook Center)
- Church & School: 1200 Cornelia Road, Anderson, SC 29621
- Phone: 864-225-5341 | Email: [email protected]
- School phone: 864-760-1619 | School email: [email protected]
About Our Catholic Faith
The parish's 'Our Faith' page offers a catechetical overview for newcomers and lifelong Catholics alike, covering the Precepts of the Church, the Ten Commandments, the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy, the 7 Last Words of Christ, the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the meaning of Lent, and the Triduum of Holy Week. Newcomers are encouraged to explore the seven sacraments and the RCIA process as a path into deeper Catholic life.
- Precepts of the Church
- Ten Commandments
- 7 Corporal Works of Mercy
- 7 Last Words of Christ
- Fruits & Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Lent and the Triduum