About The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri · Rock Hill, South Carolina
The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in Rock Hill, South Carolina — commonly called the Rock Hill Oratory — is the oldest and largest house of the Congregation of the Oratory in the United States, founded in 1934 at the invitation of Bishop Walsh of the Diocese of Charleston. Members of the Oratory (priests and brothers, designated by the post-nominal "CO") live in community bound not by vows but by bonds of love, governing themselves democratically. From their chapel at 434 Charlotte Avenue, the Oratorians serve the local Catholic faithful of York County through several parishes (St. Anne, St. Joseph, All Saints, Divine Saviour, and St. Mary), minister to Winthrop University students through the Newman Catholic Community, run a Center for Spirituality offering retreats and formation programs, and visit the incarcerated at the Moss Detention Center.
- Established
- 1934
- Patron
- St. Philip Neri (founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, known as "The Saint of Joy")
- Rector
- Very Rev. Fabio Refosco, CO (Provost)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston
Why belong here
The Rock Hill Oratory is a community of priests and brothers rooted in nearly a century of prayer and service in York County. Whether you are a Winthrop student seeking a Catholic home on campus, a neighbor looking for daily Mass and confession, or someone drawn to spiritual growth through retreats and formation, the Oratory offers a distinctive charism centered on prayer, joyful fellowship, and a deep commitment to social justice. Visiting the Oratory Chapel for weekday noon Mass, Saturday confessions, or Sunday evening's Newman Student Mass is a long-standing tradition for many in Rock Hill.
Mass times at The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Adoration times
- Adoration is offered as part of the Wednesday evening Emmaus Night program during the academic year (Winthrop Newman Catholic Community)
About the Rock Hill Oratory
Founded in 1934 at the invitation of Bishop Walsh of the Diocese of Charleston, the Rock Hill Oratory is the oldest and largest house of the Congregation of the Oratory in the United States. It is part of a worldwide federation of 85 independent houses stretching back to the Oratory founded by St. Philip Neri in Rome. Members of the Rock Hill community — priests and brothers marked with the post-nominal "CO" — are bound not by vows but by bonds of love. The community remains deliberately small to foster deep interpersonal relationships, and is governed democratically with every member sharing equally in major decisions.
- Founded 1934 by Father Paul Hatch, CO, at Bishop Walsh's invitation
- First Oratory established in the United States
- Oldest and largest of the 85 worldwide Oratorian houses
- Mission: 'Discover a Place of Prayer' — gathering individuals to learn how to pray and remain faithful to prayer
History of the Oratory
When the first Oratorians arrived in 1934, only about 100 Catholic families worshipped in a tiny church on Saluda Street — Catholics made up roughly half of one percent of South Carolina's population. In the decades that followed, the community became deeply entwined with Rock Hill's story: supporting civil rights sit-ins and voter registration, helping establish textile-mill labor unions, and operating St. Anne Catholic School — which in 1954 became the first racially integrated school in South Carolina. A historical marker commemorating that legacy was dedicated on October 26, 2009, at 648 South Jones Avenue.
- 1934 — First Oratorians arrive; Bishop Walsh invites the mission
- 1935 — Original community photographed, with Fr. Paul Hatch at front right
- 1954 — St. Anne Catholic School becomes the first racially integrated school in South Carolina (5 students from St. Mary's enroll)
- 1958 — New St. Anne school built on South Jones Avenue
- 1967 — Decision to expand into extra-parochial ministries; initial formation program formalized
- 1975 — Oratory School for Boys opens as a boarding school (later closed for lack of funds)
- Refugee resettlement ministry brings Southeast Asian families to Rock Hill, later expands to Hispanic immigrants
- October 26, 2009 — Historical marker dedicated at 648 South Jones Avenue
The Oratorian Charism — Who Are the Oratorians?
St. Philip Neri, known as "The Saint of Joy," founded the Congregation of the Oratory in 16th-century Rome as a community of priests and brothers living together without vows. The Rock Hill Oratory carries forward that original vision: members pray together, serve the surrounding community, and make decisions democratically. Following recent Church teaching on social justice, the Rock Hill community has actively supported civil rights, welcomed refugees, sponsored immigrants, and continues to minister to aging members.
- Independent worldwide federation of approximately 85 houses
- No vows — members bound by bonds of love
- Deliberately small community for strong interpersonal relationships
- Democratic governance with equal rights and responsibilities
- Vocations: a dedicated 'Steps to become an Oratorian Priest or Brother' pathway is promoted on the website
Center for Spirituality — Events & Retreats
The Center for Spirituality welcomes people who are seeking to grow spiritually. It offers a regular calendar of retreats, days of reflection, and formation programs at reasonable fees, with scholarships available so that inability to pay never prevents attendance. Registration can be made by phone (803-327-2097), by email to [email protected], by mail (PO Box 11586, Rock Hill, SC 29731-1586), or through the Events page on the website.
- Annual Women's Retreat (led by Sr. Susan Schorsten)
- Summer Bible Institute
- Day with the Gospel of Mark (with Peter Judge)
- Multiple themed programs across July, September, October, and November
- Scholarships available; registration closes one week prior for programs with meals or overnight stays
Campus Ministry at Winthrop University
During the academic year, Winthrop students, faculty and staff join members of the local community at the Oratory Chapel for the 6 PM Sunday Mass. Winthrop students share the ministries of this liturgy as lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Music Ministers; they also prepare the Prayers of the Faithful, gather the weekly offering, and bring the gifts to the altar. Once a month the entire community gathers in Newman Hall parlor for a Community Social with food and drinks, and each semester the students coordinate a Community Service project — past beneficiaries include the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen and Magnolia Manor Nursing Home.
- Sunday Mass: 6 PM (Winthrop Newman Student Mass) at the Oratory Chapel
- Carpool leaves Starbucks in DiGS at 5:30 PM for the Sunday Mass
- Wednesday Emmaus Night: 6:30–8 PM in Newman Hall — dinner plus a rotating program (Mass, Adoration, Confession, service projects, Bible studies, lectures, bowling, movies, etc.)
- Patron: St. John Henry Newman — 'blends the gifts of the Spirit that he treasured: truth and faith'
- Community Service projects each semester (Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen, Magnolia Manor Nursing Home)
- Contact: Fr. Johnni do Bonfim Silva, CO — [email protected]
Winthrop Newman Catholic Community
Catholic Campus Ministry at Winthrop University serves under the aegis of the 'Winthrop Newman Catholic Community,' a network of gatherings for the 5,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students at this state university. The community draws inspiration from St. John Henry Newman, the 19th-century English scholar who also inspired the original Oratory in England. A dedicated website, Facebook page, and Instagram feed keep students connected throughout the year.
- Named for St. John Henry Newman
- Active throughout the academic year
- All Winthrop students welcome at any time
Parish Ministries in York County
The Oratorians serve as priests for several parishes across Rock Hill and York County — about 5,000 Catholic families worship at five different Catholic churches in the county today. The Oratory's website links to the parishes under its pastoral care.
- St. Anne Catholic Church (Rock Hill)
- St. Joseph Catholic Church
- All Saints Catholic Church
- Divine Saviour Catholic Church
- St. Mary Catholic Church
Outreach, Social Justice & Pastoral Works
Following the Church's social teachings, the Oratory has long engaged in works of justice and mercy in the Rock Hill community. From the earliest decades, Oratorians supported civil rights sit-ins and voter registration efforts, helped organize textile-mill workers into labor unions, and later welcomed refugees and immigrants from Southeast Asia and Latin America. They continue to minister to the incarcerated at the Moss Detention Center in York County, and the community itself cares for its aging priests and brothers in residence.
- Civil rights support and voter registration assistance
- Labor union organization for York County textile mill workers
- Refugee resettlement — first Southeast Asian families brought to Rock Hill; later expanded to Hispanic immigrants
- Prison visitation at the Moss Detention Center
- Care of aging Oratorian priests and brothers
Oratory Mass and Prayer Schedule
The Oratory Chapel maintains a regular schedule of daily Mass and prayer at 434 Charlotte Avenue, in addition to the Sunday evening Winthrop Newman Student Mass. Confessions are heard every Saturday morning. Oratory Prayer (mental and vocal prayer) is offered every weekday morning.
- Oratory Prayer — Monday to Friday at 8:00 AM
- Daily Mass — Monday to Saturday at 12:00 PM (noon)
- Tuesday Community Mass — 8:00 AM
- Sunday Mass — 6:00 PM (Winthrop Newman Catholic Community)
- Confessions — Saturday 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Visiting the Oratory — Contact & Location
The Oratory Chapel is located at 434 Charlotte Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29730 — just a few blocks from the Winthrop University campus. The main contact number is (803) 327-2097, with email correspondence handled through [email protected]. The mailing address for the Center for Spirituality is PO Box 11586, Rock Hill, SC 29731-1586.
- Street address: 434 Charlotte Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29730
- Mailing address: PO Box 11586, Rock Hill, SC 29731-1586
- Phone: (803) 327-2097
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://rockhilloratory.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Paul Hatch, CO1934–
Founder of the Rock Hill Oratory, pictured in the 1935 community photograph at the right end of the front row.