About Saint Mary · Rock Hill, South Carolina
St. Mary Catholic Church is a historically African-American Catholic parish in Rock Hill, South Carolina, founded in 1945 by Father Edward Wahl of the Rock Hill Oratory (Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri). From its start with only five registered Black Catholic members and a groundbreaking on October 3, 1945, the parish grew into a powerful hub of faith, civil rights activism, and community service. Today St. Mary continues the legacy of outreach begun by Brother David Boone (administrator for over 50 years) through ministries like St. Mary Outreach, a food pantry, the Legion of Mary, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and Micah 6:8. The parish worships in a church built in November 2006 that seats nearly 500 and remains united by proud diversity, compassion, and fellowship.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Agustín Guzmán, C.O.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston
Why belong here
St. Mary is a historically African-American Catholic parish in the Rock Hill Oratory tradition, openly welcoming all Catholics who seek a rich Catholic tradition and friendly people. Members actively serve their neighbors through St. Mary Outreach (food, medicine, dental, eye care, education, job help, spiritual growth), the St. Mary Food Pantry, the Legion of Mary, the St. Francis Saring Prayer Shawl Ministry, and Micah 6:8, a ministry that promotes diversity and inclusivity. With a beautiful church seating nearly 500, Holy Hour prayer, Sunday Rosary groups, and Reconciliation before Mass, it is a community where faith, compassion, and fellowship meet.
Mass times at Saint Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays: 9:15–9:45 am (Church)
- Before or between Masses, or by appointment
Adoration times
- Holy Hour of Prayer: Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 pm (Chapel)
Welcome from the Pastor
Fr. Agustín Guzmán, C.O., pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, extends a warm welcome: 'As the pastor of St. Mary, I wish to welcome you. St. Mary is a parish created in the African-American Catholic tradition and open to all Catholics. Here one will find a rich Catholic tradition and friendly people.' He invites visitors to consider joining the parish for Sunday Mass.
Our Mission Statement
The parish mission, taken from the parish's About page, reads: 'We, the Catholic people of St. Mary Parish, historically rooted in the black community and integrated in the local community, strive to listen, share, challenge, and help each other. We are committed to action and will do this by carrying on God's work under the guidance of the blessed Mother and St. Martin de Porres.'
History of St. Mary
St. Mary Catholic Church in Rock Hill, SC, began with the efforts of Fr. Edward Wahl, C.O., who was assigned to work with the local African American community following his ordination in January 1945. At that time, there were only five practicing Black Catholics in Rock Hill. Fr. Edward purchased land with the help of many benefactors and matching Diocesan funds; groundbreaking took place on October 3, 1945, and the first Mass was celebrated July 4, 1946, with the parish's five registered members.
- 1945 – Fr. Edward Wahl founds St. Mary on Crawford Road
- 1946 – First Mass celebrated July 4
- 1951 – Crawford Federal Credit Union created
- 1954 – Five St. Mary youth enroll at St. Anne School (first integrated school in SC)
- 1959 – Brother David Boone arrives; serves over 50 years
- 1986 – Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen opens
- 2005 – Capital Campaign begins
- 2006 – New church built (November), seating nearly 500
- 2016 – 70th anniversary celebrated
- 2026 – 80th Anniversary Cookout planned for July 4
Civil Rights Legacy
Through the leadership of Brother David Boone and the Rock Hill Oratory, St. Mary became a force for social change. Oratorians helped organize a bus boycott, supported students at downtown lunch-counter sit-ins (including the Friendship Nine), and created the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen in 1986. The parish also helped integrate St. Anne School in Rock Hill in 1954 and supported voter-registration drives with the American Friends Service Committee.
The Rock Hill Oratory
St. Mary Catholic Church is served by the religious community of the Rock Hill Oratory (the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri). The Oratory's presence in Rock Hill dates back to the 1930s and '40s, when its members worked to establish labor unions for textile workers and ran the Neri Mission Institute for Boys, a boarding school.
Parish Ministries & Outreach
St. Mary has a strong tradition of lay ministry and outreach rooted in its mission to 'carry on God's work under the guidance of the blessed Mother and St. Martin de Porres.' Programs serve the poor, sick, homebound, and broader Rock Hill community.
- St. Mary Outreach — assistance ministry, Tues & Thurs 9:00–11:30 am in Bannon Hall (803-514-3729, [email protected])
- St. Mary Food Pantry — Thursdays 11:30 am–12:30 pm, Bannon Hall
- Legion of Mary — lay apostolic association, meets in RH Oratory-Faber Hall
- St. Francis Saring Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Micah 6:8 — promotes awareness for diversity and inclusivity
- Rosary & Confraternity Society
- Lectors — 8 am and 10 am Mass
- Ushers / Hospitality
- Social Committee
- Stewardship
- Media Ministry
St. Mary Outreach
St. Mary Outreach partners with other religious communities and local agencies to assist needy clients on a pathway to healing and self-sufficiency, providing charity including food, warmth, medicine, dental care, eye care, education, job search, and spiritual growth. The office is in Bannon Hall and is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00–11:30 am. Contact: (803) 514-3729, [email protected].
Parish Staff
The parish staff includes both clergy and lay leaders who support the work of the Oratorian community.
- Fr. Agustín Guzmán, C.O. — Pastor
- Rev. Dr. Terrence R. Chisolm — Deacon, Pastoral Associate
- Rev. Walt Hollis — Deacon
- Marian Setien — Office Manager
- Michelle Greenlee — Bookkeeper / Finance
- Paul Wood — Finance
- Chris Petrasek — Head of Maintenance
Visit, Contact & Location
St. Mary Catholic Church is located at 902 Crawford Road, Rock Hill, SC 29730 (mailing address: P.O. Box 11982, Rock Hill, SC 29731). Parish office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–12:30 pm. Phone: (803) 329-1008. Email: [email protected]. The parish is in the Rock Hill Deanery of the Diocese of Charleston.
80th Anniversary
St. Mary is preparing to mark 80 years since its founding in 1945. The parish's 80th Anniversary Cookout is scheduled for July 4, 2026 (the parish's founding anniversary date). A commemorative mural, commissioned by Bakhita Arts, has recently been unveiled to celebrate 80 years of faith, service, and community activism.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Edward Wahl, C.O.1945–c. late 1950s
Founder of St. Mary; assigned to work with the local African American community; purchased land and broke ground Oct. 3, 1945; first Mass celebrated July 4, 1946.
- Fr. Henry Tevlin, C.O.1950s
Oratorian who, with Br. David Boone, oversaw tremendous outreach in the 1950s.
- Brother David Boone, C.O.1959–c. 2010s (50+ years)
Church Administrator for over 50 years; civil-rights leader who helped organize a bus boycott, supported lunch-counter sit-ins, and created the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen in 1986.
- Rev. Agustín Guzmán, C.O.present
Current pastor; Oratorian.