About Saint Patrick · Charleston, South Carolina
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Charleston, South Carolina, is a historic parish founded in 1837, serving a diverse community with deep roots in the city’s African American and white Catholic traditions. The church was established to serve Catholics living in Charleston’s Neck area and has weathered financial hardship, natural disasters, and demographic shifts over nearly two centuries. Today, it continues to offer Mass, sacraments, and community ministries, with a strong emphasis on faith formation and inclusivity. The parish is part of the Diocese of Charleston and maintains a vibrant presence through its website, social media, and active parish life.
- Established
- 1837
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charleston
Why belong here
Join St. Patrick to experience a welcoming community rooted in over 180 years of faith, service, and resilience. The parish offers vibrant ministries, sacramental life, and opportunities for spiritual growth through Bible study, youth programs, and outreach. Whether you’re new or returning, you’ll find a place to belong, serve, and deepen your Catholic faith in a historically rich and inclusive setting.
Mass times at Saint Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 4:30 pm Saturday
- 4:30 pm Tuesday
- 4:30 pm Wednesday
- 4:30 pm Thursday
- 4:30 pm Friday
- 4:30 pm Sunday
History
A History of St. Patrick Catholic Church “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.’ Psalms 100:2 In November 1828, Bishop John England purchased a track of land on the corner of St. Philip and Radcliff Streets for a cemetery. He had hoped that eventually, a church would be erected. On September 1, 1835, a meeting was called asking all Catholics living north of Calhoun Street to meet with him to consider a new parish in Charleston’s Neck Area. The committee of seven people reported on September 15th that there were nearly 50 families, a number of individuals and a considerable number of Colored people living in the area. Some with transportation felt that St. Mary’s and Cathedral were sufficient. After much discussion, the meeting approved the views of the Bishop and plans for a new church go underway. Reverend John Fielding was appointed and on Sunday, January 29, 1837, he celebrated Mass for the first time at the King Street residence of Mr. P. B. Bouton. Funds were raised and on St. Patrick’s Day 1838, the cornerstone was laid and work began. By the end of December, the humble edifice, though not completely finished, was ready for divine service. It was a framed building 50 feet in length, 36 feet wide and 24 feet high. There were neat galleries on each side. The one on the north was for Colored parishioners and on the south for Whites. Space on the west was for the organ. There were 36 pews which were rented. Money was collected and invested to replace the small church. However, during the Civil war the funds depreciated in value and investments failed. The parish was bankrupted. Reverend Daniel J. Quigley, appointed in 1884, saw the need for a larger church. His first move was to purchase the ground on the northwest corner of St. Philip and Radcliff Streets and plans were drawn for the new church. Work progressed rapidly. Then came the earthquake of August 31, 1886. Fortunately, Father Quigley was in charge of funds raised throughout the country. He pushed for St. Patrick and on December 12, 1886, Mass was held in the basement of the new church. On May 15, 1887, St. Patrick was solemnly consecrated. In December 1891, the organ was installed and used at the 5:00 a.m. Mass on Christmas morning. Finally, in 1899, all work was completed. Monsignor Quigley died on November 27, 1903 and is buried in one of the tombs in front of the church. In 1937, St. Patrick Parish served a population almost half the size it was at the time of Monsignor Quigley’s death. By the end of WWII, many parishioners had moved west of the Ashley. St. Patrick’s membership and finance dwindled. On September 22, 1967 both Immaculate Conception and St. Peter’s churches were closed. The functions of these two predominately African American parishes merged with St. Patrick. The Reverend Philip Haggerty of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers was put in charge. Under his leadership and with William Headley and William Joyce, Assistant Priests, St. Patrick began to prosper. Soon after Father Joseph Moroney assumed his duties in 1970, a large tree fell atop the rectory on St. Philip Street next to the church. The entire building collapsed. The space now serves as a parking area. The number of priests had been cut from three to one when Father Moroney came so he built a smaller rectory across the street from the church on the St. Patrick Elementary School grounds. During the administration of the Reverend Leonard Tuozzolo, July 1975-78, the first Parish Council was organized. With the help of the Diocesan Development Fund, a survey was made of the structural needs of the church. He established a budget; conducted a successful DDF Drive;
Our Faith
Our Catholic faith comprises what we believe and how we live that belief. For 2,000 years, this Catholic faith has been handed down from one generation to next, starting with Jesus Christ passing the faith to the Twelve Apostles. In our own lives, we may receive that faith from our parents, from friends, or even a stranger we meet. Living as a Catholic includes many wonderful beliefs, practices, and devotions; too many to catalog here. But we hope to provide you with a brief overview of what we believe and how we live that belief. We hope this resource will be valuable to both interested non-Catholics as well as to those already Catholic who might be looking to deepen the practice of their faith. If you want to know more about discovering our Catholic faith as a newcomer to the Church or re-discovering the Catholic faith you received at baptism, you may want to start by exploring our Newcomers section. To learn about what we believe as Catholics, you will want to start with What Do Catholics Believe? But if you want to learn more specifically about the seven sacraments, visit the Sacraments area of our site.
Sacraments
The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. (CCC 1113) While we believe that human life is infused with the sacramental goodness of God, the Catholic Church has defined seven sacraments - instituted by and through the life of Jesus Christ. It is through the experience of the sacramental ritual that we are infused with God’s grace. The Sacraments nourish and strengthen us as they express and build up our faith. Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation. Sacraments of Healing: Penance (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick. Sacraments of Vocation: Marriage, Holy Orders.