St. Peter’s Parish History.

St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Carteret Street, built in 1846, is one of the oldest existing churches in Beaufort, South Carolina. This church, now used as a chapel for Perpetual Adoration, is not only a living monument to the Catholic faith, but it is also a tribute to its builder, Michael O’Connor, an Irish immigrant who settled in Beaufort in the early 1820’s. Mr. O’Connor deeded the lot to Bishop Ignatius A. Reynolds for three dollars in 1846. From all reports, O’Connor was personally responsible for the expenses of erecting St. Peter’s Church, which was dedicated by Bishop Reynolds on November 14, 1846.

It still stands today – a simple, white wooden Colonial-styled structure. A brick wall, now enclosing the adjoining graveyard, was built in 1857 by Franklin Talbird. Among other early Beaufort Catholics, members of the O’Connor and Talbird families now rest in the churchyard.

St. Peter’s Parish has grown from a handful of Catholics in its beginning years into a thriving, vibrant congregation of over 1350 families. The present site of St. Peter’s Church is located on Lady’s Island. It is situated on 32 acres of property and includes a rectory, office complex and St. Peter’s Catholic School, which houses grades K-4 through 8.

Time and space do not permit mention of the many pastors and families who have helped to make our parish one of the outstanding historical milestones in America. Many descendants of those families are still members of the Beaufort parish. Although St. Peter’s Parish began in 1846, evidence exists that four Spanish ships with 400 men celebrated Mass on Parris Island in 1561. In the ensuing centuries, Beaufort Catholics expended tremendous effort and endured painful sacrifices to create the heritage that is the essence of St. Peter’s. We continue to worship and serve God in the same setting, which saw that first Mass celebrated over four hundred years ago.

It is our hope, while celebrating the rich past of our parish, that we promote the promise of the future through an increased sense of family, fellowship, and faith. Michael O’Connor provided a legacy to St. Peter’s parish over 150 years ago. Through your gift, you become a part of the legacy to St. Peter’s Church and Holy Cross Mission in the new millennium.