About Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church · Dillon, South Carolina
St. Louis Roman Catholic Church is a small bilingual (English/Spanish) parish serving the Dillon, South Carolina community as part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Myrtle Beach Deanery). The parish traces its origins to 1939 as a mission chapel and was formally established as a parish on November 4, 1943, growing out of the quiet Catholic witness of Frances King Biggs, a Dublin-born Irish immigrant who was the only Catholic in Dillon County when she arrived in 1919. The parish retains a tightly knit feel — just 47 households and seating for 100 — and is currently administered by Rev. Sylvère Baloza-Baloza, who also serves the Church of the Infant Jesus Mission in Marion.
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- Saint Louis IX, King of France (the parish is named after the Sisters of St. Mary of St. Louis, Missouri)
- Rector
- Rev. Sylvère Baloza-Baloza (Administrator, effective March 2, 2026)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Myrtle Beach Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Louis is a small, family-sized bilingual parish where English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics worship together in the Diocese of Charleston. With only 47 households, it offers an intimate community life rooted in nearly nine decades of local Catholic history, sustained by a strong Hispanic ministry, an active CCD program serving Pre-K through college students, a Spanish-language RCIA, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a full slate of lay ministries (choir, lectors, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, Catholic Women's Club, and a Bereavement/Sick/Homebound outreach). It is also the parish that planted the Church of the Infant Jesus Mission in Marion — a living witness to its missionary spirit.
Mass times at Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 6:00 p.m. (half hour before Mass)
- Half hour before each Mass
- Tuesday: 6:00–6:30 p.m. (per Diocese of Charleston directory)
- Sunday: 1:00–1:30 p.m. (per Diocese of Charleston directory)
Adoration times
- Thursday: 6:00–6:30 p.m. (followed by 7:00 p.m. Spanish Mass)
History of St. Louis Parish
St. Louis Parish in Dillon traces its origins to the faith of one woman: Miss Frances King, who came to Dillon from Auburn, New York, in 1919 after marrying David Biggs. Research indicates she was the only Catholic in the entire city and county of Dillon. With travel to Catholic services in Lumberton, NC, and Florence, SC, impractical, Frances lived her faith through Christian service to her neighbors — and many were eventually baptized into the Catholic Faith because of her example. As other Catholics moved to nearby Latta and Catholic physician Dr. Victor Branford settled in Dillon, Father Tobin of St. Anthony's Church in Florence began celebrating Mass in the Biggs home once a month, using the buffet in the living room as an altar. Father Tobin arranged for Sisters from Sumter to teach catechism one Saturday a month, and Frances taught Sunday school on Sundays — laying the firm basis for what would become a mission church.
- Frances King Biggs arrived in Dillon in 1919 from Auburn, NY, via Dublin, Ireland
- First Mass in the Biggs home celebrated by Fr. Tobin of St. Anthony's, Florence
- Land for the Home Church purchased March 10, 1938, for $1,000
- First services in the chapel: May 7, 1939
- Chapel of St. Louis dedicated by Bishop Emmett Walsh on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, 1939
The Mission Church Era (1939–1943)
The Chapel of St. Louis was dedicated on May 28, 1939, and became a mission of St. Anthony's of Florence, SC, under Fr. Tobin's pastorate. On May 27, 1939, Fr. Tobin baptized several women, including Mary Biggs and Annie Lovell (sisters-in-law of Frances Biggs) and a neighbor, Mrs. Todd. The mission grew as Dr. Victor Branford helped bring the Sisters of St. Mary of St. Louis, Missouri, to staff St. Eugene Hospital — and it is from those sisters that the parish takes its name. Bishop Walsh agreed to provide a priest in Dillon to serve both the home church and the sisters.
- Mission of St. Anthony's of Florence, SC
- Sisters of St. Mary of St. Louis, Missouri, came to staff St. Eugene Hospital
- Parish name 'St. Louis' honors those sisters
Becoming a Parish (1943) and Early Growth
On November 4, 1943, with construction of the new hospital well underway, Bishop Walsh established St. Louis as a parish, ending its mission status with St. Anthony's of Florence. Father Charles J. Baum was appointed first pastor and was to reside in special priest's quarters in St. Eugene's Hospital. Converts continued to swell the parish, and Catholics from neighboring Marion County journeyed to Dillon for Mass.
- Father Charles J. Baum appointed first pastor, November 4, 1943
- Father Baum resided in priest's quarters at St. Eugene's Hospital
- Catholic Women of the Year honor bestowed on Frances King Biggs, October 1954
Planting the Marion Mission (1967)
As converts and Catholics from other counties — particularly Marion — journeyed to Dillon for Mass and other church activities, eventually many Marion County parishioners attended Mass in homes or at other sites. On January 22, 1967, the Church of the Infant Jesus was officially established in Marion, with the pastor of St. Louis also serving as its pastor. The arrangement continues today.
- Church of the Infant Jesus established January 22, 1967 in Marion, SC
- Pastor of St. Louis continues to serve both parishes
Our Mission
St. Louis Catholic Church's stated mission is to know, serve, and become like Jesus — meeting the needs of its neighbors. As a small bilingual parish in the Myrtle Beach Deanery of the Diocese of Charleston, it embraces its identity as an intimate, family-sized community grounded in nearly nine decades of local Catholic tradition.
- Know, serve, and become like Jesus
- Build up the parish and serve the needs of neighbors
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) community
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is administered by Rev. Sylvère Baloza-Baloza, who began his assignment at St. Louis and the Church of the Infant Jesus Mission in Marion effective March 2, 2026. Originally from the Congo, Fr. Sylvère studied at the Université Saint Augustin de Kinshasa and in Mexico. Parish Secretary Terry Trejo joined the parish in 2022 and manages communications, the Counters Ministry, and Christmas Decorations. A robust lay team coordinates pastoral and finance councils, Hispanic ministry, music, liturgy, and outreach.
- Rev. Sylvère Baloza-Baloza — Administrator (from the Congo; studied in Kinshasa and Mexico)
- Terry Trejo — Parish Secretary (joined 2022)
- Joan Hayes Rocha — Parish Pastoral Council Facilitator; Music and Altar Ministry
- Brian Mason — Parish Financial Council Facilitator; Altar Servers
- Ismael German — Hispanic Ministry
- Mauro Espejo — Hispanic Ministry; Building & Grounds
Ministries
St. Louis runs a comprehensive slate of lay ministries across Liturgical, Prayer/Spiritual/Sacramental, Social Outreach, and Council/Committee categories. Liturgical ministries include the English and Spanish choirs, organist, lectors, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, sacristans, and ushers. Spiritual and sacramental ministries include Eucharistic Adoration and the Rite of Christian Formation for Adults (RCIA) in Spanish. Social outreach includes the Catholic Women's Club, Bereavement/Sick/Homebound/Telephone Committee, and Christmas Decorations.
- Liturgical: English Choir (Joan Hayes Rocha), Spanish Choir (Saudy Gomez), Organist, Lector (Fredy & Angie Yepez), Altar Servers (Brian Mason), Eucharistic Ministers (Gail Blue & Felicitas Moreno), Sacristans, Ushers
- Prayer & Sacramental: Eucharistic Adoration (Thursday 6:00–6:30 p.m.), RCIA in Spanish (Irene Badillo Cruz)
- Social Outreach: Catholic Women's Club, Bereavement/Sick/Homebound/Telephone Committee (Teresa Mason), Christmas Decorations
- Committees: Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, Liturgy Committee, Safe Environment / Safe Haven Training
- Service: Building & Grounds, Church Cleaning, Flowers (Euince Gamboa), Counters (Terry Trejo)
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
St. Louis runs a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) Children's Religious Education program, also known as Sunday School. For the 2025–2026 calendar year, Sunday School is held from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. in the CCD/Office building at 500 East Jackson Street, served by two Co-DRE's and six catechists and youth aides. The program has 20 students enrolled from Pre-K through college.
- Sunday School 12:00–12:45 p.m.
- Location: 500 East Jackson Street (CCD/Office building)
- Two Co-DRE's and six catechists/youth aides
- 20 students enrolled, Pre-K through college
RCIA — Rite of Christian Formation for Adults
RCIA is an adult formation program for those interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith and/or becoming members of the Roman Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. Spanish-language RCIA sessions are held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. after the Spanish Mass in the CCD/Office building at 500 East Jackson Street.
- Spanish RCIA: Sundays 1:30–2:30 p.m.
- Location: CCD/Office building, 500 East Jackson Street
- Coordinator: Irene Badillo Cruz
Sacristans, Eucharistic Ministers & Liturgical Detail
Sacristans Gail Blue and Felicitas Moreno prepare the liturgy alongside Eucharistic Ministry coordination. Parishioners serve in altar ministry, lectors (Fredy & Angie Yepez), and altar servers (Brian Mason), supported by Joan Hayes Rocha as Pastoral Council Facilitator and overall Liturgical coordinator.
- Sacristans: Gail Blue & Felicitas Moreno
- Eucharistic Ministers: Gail Blue & Felicitas Moreno
- Lectors: Fredy & Angie Yepez
- Altar Servers: Brian Mason
- Altar Ministry Coordinator: Joan Hayes Rocha
Music Ministries
Music is led by Joan Hayes Rocha as organist and English Choir director, and by Saudy Gomez for the Hispanic Choir. Together they serve the parish's bilingual liturgical life.
- English Choir — Joan Hayes Rocha (843) 774-2006
- Hispanic Choir — Saudy Gomez
- Organist — Joan Hayes Rocha (843) 774-2006
Social Outreach Ministries
Beyond the sanctuary, the parish extends care through the Catholic Women's Club, a Bereavement/Sick/Homebound/Telephone Committee led by Teresa Mason, and seasonal efforts like Christmas Decorations coordinated by Terry Trejo and Maria Rodriguez.
- Catholic Women's Club
- Bereavement, Sick & Homebound, and Telephone Committee — Teresa Mason (843) 409-0370
- Christmas Decorations — Terry Trejo & Maria Rodriguez
Contact, Location & Hours
St. Louis Catholic Church is located at 610 US Highway 301 North, on the corner of Highway 301 North and East Jackson Streets in Dillon, South Carolina 29536. The parish office is at 500 East Jackson Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sacramental emergencies are handled through (843) 687-8538.
- Church: 610 US Highway 301 North, Dillon, SC 29536
- Parish office / CCD building: 500 East Jackson Street
- Phone: (843) 627-3311
- Sacramental Emergencies: (843) 687-8538
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The Diocese of Charleston
St. Louis Parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, the diocese serving the entire state of South Carolina. Within the diocese, the parish is part of the Myrtle Beach Deanery.
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston
- Deanery: Myrtle Beach
- Founded as a mission chapel: 1939
- Established as a parish: 1943
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. TobinPre-1939–1943
Priest from St. Anthony's of Florence who traveled to Frances Biggs' home, celebrated the first Mass in the new chapel on May 7, 1939, and baptized the first converts. The chapel was a mission of St. Anthony's under his care.
- Father Charles J. Baum1943–
First pastor of the new parish of St. Louis, appointed November 4, 1943, ending the mission status with St. Anthony's of Florence. Resided in special priest's quarters in St. Eugene's Hospital.
- Father Sheedyaround 1947
Built the grotto.
- Father Andersonearly 1950s
Oversaw construction of the choir room (extension to the right facing the altar).
- Father Murphy1958
Added the vestibule at the entrance.
- Fr. Michel Mukad
Served as administrator at St. Louis Church in Dillon before being assigned to St. Mary Our Lady of Ransom in Georgetown.
- Rev. Sylvère Baloza-Baloza2026–present
Current administrator (effective March 2, 2026), originally from the Congo; studied at the Université Saint Augustin de Kinshasa and in Mexico. Also serves Church of the Infant Jesus Mission in Marion, SC.