About The Basilica of Saint Peter · Columbia, South Carolina
The Basilica of Saint Peter is the oldest Catholic parish in Columbia and the Midlands of South Carolina, founded in 1821 to serve Irish laborers building the Columbia Canal. Located at 1529 Assembly Street in downtown Columbia, its current Gothic Revival church was designed by architect Frank Pierce Milburn and dedicated on January 17, 1909. On June 24, 2018, the Vatican elevated the parish to the status of Minor Basilica — making it the first basilica in the state of South Carolina and the 85th in the United States. Known as the "Mother Church of the Midlands," it serves as the diocesan capital-city parish of the Diocese of Charleston and welcomes a vibrant, bilingual (English and Spanish) community to its daily and Sunday liturgies.
- Established
- 1821
- Patron
- Saint Peter (the Apostle)
- Rector
- The Very Reverend Canon Gary S. Linsky, V.F., V.P. (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charleston
Why belong here
The Basilica of Saint Peter offers a rare combination: a nationally registered historic landmark serving as a living, multilingual parish in the heart of South Carolina's capital city. Members encounter a vigorous sacramental life — daily Mass (including a Latin Mass on Thursdays and a Spanish Mass every Sunday afternoon and Thursday evening), Eucharistic adoration, a robust children's and youth faith formation program, an adult formation hub built around FORMED.org, and a storied Music Ministry with five distinct choirs (Gallery Choir, Schola, Capella Pueri, Coro Hispano, and a Contemporary Ensemble). Outreach is deep-rooted — the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference has been feeding the homeless of Columbia every month for nearly four decades, including a now-iconic Christmas Day dinner that has drawn 500–800 guests annually. For Catholics in the Midlands seeking a church with historical gravitas, bilingual hospitality, and active ministry to the poor, the Basilica of Saint Peter is the natural home.
Mass times at The Basilica of Saint Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–5:00 PM (English) — parish website; some listings show 3:30–4:30 PM
- Sunday 12:20–12:45 PM (Spanish)
- Thursday 6:30–7:15 PM (Spanish, before 7:30 PM Spanish Mass)
Adoration times
- Thursday 6:30 PM (Spanish Holy Hour preceding Spanish Mass)
- First Saturday of the month 5:30–6:30 PM (Holy Hour)
History of The Basilica of Saint Peter
St. Peter's has served Catholics in Columbia since 1821, making it the oldest Catholic parish in the city and one of the oldest in South Carolina. Its first church, designed by Robert Mills, was completed in 1824; the present Gothic Revival church, designed by Frank Pierce Milburn, was dedicated on January 17, 1909. Designated a Minor Basilica by the Vatican on June 24, 2018, it is the first basilica in South Carolina. The parish is the only one in the Diocese of Charleston — and all but one in the American Southeast — to have hosted a papal visit (Pope John Paul II, September 11, 1987).
- 1821 — Parish founded by Bishop John England; Fr. James Wallace sent to minister to Irish canal workers.
- 1824 — First church designed by Robert Mills completed.
- 1848 — Fr. Jeremiah O'Connell becomes pastor; founds St. Mary's College and Academy of the Immaculate Conception.
- 1859 — Ursuline Sisters begin teaching; church is enlarged to nearly twice its original size.
- 1865 — Church damaged (but spared) during Sherman's burning of Columbia; nuns and students sheltered in the parish graveyard.
- 1872 — St. Peter's Cemetery established on Elmwood Avenue.
- 1906–1908 — Present Gothic Revival church designed by Frank Pierce Milburn and constructed on the same site.
- 1909 — Dedicated by Bishop Northrup on January 17; total cost $60,506.64.
- 1911 — New bell cast by McShane Bell Foundry, Baltimore (3,500 lb).
- 1919 — New school building erected with Knights of Columbus assistance.
- 1920 — Helps establish what becomes St. Joseph Parish in Shandon.
- 1964 — 26-rank Wicks organ installed; Msgr. William Croghan becomes first American-born pastor.
- 1985 — Ornamental altar screen by sculptor Stavros Chrysostomides erected.
- 1987 — Pope John Paul II audience on September 11.
- 1989 — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (September 28).
- 1992 — New parish school dedicated by Bishop David Thompson.
- 1996 — 175th anniversary celebrated with Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.
- 2018 — Granted Minor Basilica status (June 24).
Architecture & Sacred Art
Designed by Frank Pierce Milburn in the English Gothic Revival style, the present church was constructed of locally selected dark red brick trimmed with Bedford limestone and dull glazed white terra cotta, with a Buckingham slate roof and cathedral-oak doors. The cruciform plan is 131 feet long by 79 feet wide; the spire rises 163 feet. Original 1908 furnishings included three marble altars, a baptismal font, stained glass from the Munich and Tiffany Studios, and a centerpiece Kilgen pipe organ — replaced by a 26-rank Wicks organ in 1964. The 1985 Chrysostomides altar screen dominates the sanctuary.
- Architect: Frank Pierce Milburn
- Style: English Gothic Revival
- Materials: dark red brick, Bedford stone, terra cotta, Buckingham slate, cathedral oak
- Spire: 163 ft; Nave: 51 ft high, 64 ft long, 2,784 sq ft; Sanctuary: 1,440 sq ft
- Tower bell: 3,500 lb, McShane Bell Foundry (Baltimore), 1911
- Stained glass by Munich Studios and Tiffany Studios
- Wicks pipe organ (1964) and Chrysostomides altar screen (1985)
- Memorial alcove containing Fr. Thomas J. Hegarty's tomb inside the vestibule
- Ca. 1840 cemetery at the rear of the church; Robert Mills is buried in the churchyard
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Christian Formation team at the Basilica supports parents as primary educators of their children in faith, offering formal catechesis from K5 through 6th grade and a separate Youth Faith Formation program. Registration for the 2026–2027 program year is open. Adult formation is delivered in part through a parish subscription to FORMED.org, providing more than 4,000 Catholic studies, talks, movies, and e-books for parishioners and their families at no cost.
- Children's Religious Education (K5–6th grade)
- Youth Faith Formation (separate track)
- Adult Faith Formation via FORMED.org (parish subscription)
- Director of Youth Faith Formation: Colleen Freeman ([email protected])
- RCIA and Sacramental preparation for First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry of Saint Peter's is one of the most extensive in the Diocese of Charleston. Five ensembles serve the Sunday and weekday liturgies, augmented by instrumentalists on high feast days. The parish carries on the tradition described by St. Paul of proclaiming the Church's witness in 'psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.'
- Sunday 9 AM: Gallery Choir or Capella Pueri
- Sunday 11 AM: Schola or Capella Pueri
- Sunday 1 PM (Spanish): Coro Hispano
- Sunday 5:30 PM: Contemporary Ensemble
- Wednesday 8:30 AM (school Mass): Capella Pueri
- Director of Music Ministry: Matt DeGuire
Outreach & Charity
Outreach to the poor of Columbia is a hallmark of parish life, most visibly through the Basilica's St. Vincent de Paul Conference, which serves a monthly hot meal in the parish dining hall on the fourth Saturday of every month and has hosted the city's largest annual Christmas Day dinner for the homeless since approximately 1985 — feeding 500 to 800 guests each Christmas with 150 to 200 volunteers. The Conference also provides utility, transportation, and disaster-relief assistance, distributes clothing, and runs regular BINGO fellowship events with the elderly.
- Monthly hot meals for the poor (4th Saturday)
- Annual Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and Easter meals (since ~1985)
- Utility-bill and transportation assistance
- Disaster relief assistance statewide
- Clothing collection and distribution
- Elderly fellowship through BINGO events
- Contact: Andrea Roche ([email protected])
Young Adult Professionals
The Young Adult Professional Ministry at the Basilica gathers Catholics in their 20s and 30s around three values: Social (friendship and community), Spiritual (self-reflection, fellowship, and prayer), and Service (time, talent, and treasure shared with the parish and greater Columbia). Activities are announced in the weekly bulletin and via parish email; members also engage through a parish Facebook group.
- Open to young adults in their 20s and 30s
- Three pillars: Social, Spiritual, Service
- Contact: Megan Swistak
- Parish Facebook group for ongoing conversation
Staff & Clergy
The Basilica is led by The Very Reverend Canon Gary S. Linsky, V.F., V.P., Rector, assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Erik Beristain Roman and Rev. Khiet Pham (in residence). Father Philippe Dub also appears on the parish staff page, and Permanent Deacons serve the parish. Lay leadership includes the Director of Operations (Bruce Haas), Director of Music (Matt DeGuire), Director of Youth Faith Formation (Colleen Freeman), Assistant to the Rector/Facilities (Lesley Stuart), and Parish School liaison Jordan De…
- Rector: Very Rev. Canon Gary S. Linsky, V.F., V.P.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Erik Beristain Roman
- In Residence: Rev. Khiet Pham
- Additional Clergy: Father Philippe Dub; Permanent Deacons (incl. Deacon Brian)
- Director of Operations: Bruce Haas
- Director of Music: Matt DeGuire
- Director of Youth Faith Formation: Colleen Freeman
Visiting the Basilica
Beyond attending Mass or confession, visitors are encouraged to take a fifty-minute guided tour of the church, which covers parish history, Catholic symbolism, architectural features, and the Munich/Tiffany stained glass windows. The papal chair and kneeler used by Pope John Paul II on September 11, 1987 are displayed near the south narthex, and the memorial alcove of Fr. Thomas J. Hegarty is accessible in the vestibule. A historic cemetery dating from ca. 1840 lies at the rear of the property.
- Tours: 50 minutes; arranged by contacting Karen Williams at [email protected]
- Papal chair and kneeler of John Paul II on display in the south narthex
- Memorial alcove of Fr. Thomas J. Hegarty inside the vestibule
- Ca. 1840 cemetery at the rear
- Live-streamed Masses via YouTube and Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Wallace1821
Irish-born priest sent by Bishop John England to minister to Irish canal workers; began ministry that led to establishment of the parish.
- Fr. Dennis Corkery1821–c.1824
First priest permanently assigned to St. Peter's; together with surviving laborers, secured the building of the first church in 1824.
- Fr. Joseph Stokesmid-1820s
Pastored during early days of the parish; traveled by horseback to other churches in the diocese.
- Fr. Jeremiah O'Connellfrom 1848
Founded St. Mary's College for young men and the Academy of the Immaculate Conception for young women; oversaw 1859 enlargement of the church.
- Fr. Thomas J. Hegartyearly 1900s–c.1914
Led the building campaign for the present Gothic Revival church; cornerstone laid 1906, dedicated 1909; his body is interred in a memorial alcove inside the church vestibule.
- Monsignor Martin Murphyserved over a quarter of the 20th century
Beloved pastor; helped found St. Martin de Porres Parish, Providence Hospital, and St. Patrick's Chapel.
- Monsignor Roy Francis Aiken1946–1950 (first assignment); returned later
Ordained June 15, 1946; first assignment to St. Peter's Columbia 1946–1950 before becoming Vice Chancellor of the Diocese; later served other SC pastorates; also taught at Cardinal Newman and Ursuline.
- Monsignor William Croghanfrom 1964
First American-born pastor of St. Peter's; shepherded Vatican II reforms including increased lay involvement, ecumenism, and outreach to the poor.
- Monsignor Leigh Lehocky1985–
Home-grown pastor (raised at St. Peter's, attended USC; seminary at St. Bernard, Alabama and Catholic University, Washington D.C.); hosted Pope John Paul II on September 11, 1987; diocesan Vicar for Ecumenism.
- The Very Reverend Canon Gary S. Linsky, V.F., V.P.current (as of 2018 basilica announcement)
Current Rector; announced Minor Basilica designation alongside Bishop Guglielmone on June 24, 2018.
