History – Edisto Catholic

Sacred Beginnings, Lasting Legacies

Popular history tells us that Catholic missionaries were sent to Edisto Island to live among the Native Americans in the 16th century. Mass, in what would later become South Carolina, was celebrated on Edisto Island in the 1560s. In 1569, Fr. Juan Rogel was assigned to the Orista (Edisto) tribe. Although he was originally optimistic about his ability to convert the Native Americans to Christianity, their lifestyle was not conducive to his effort, and he eventually gave up and left Edisto in December 1570.

In the early-mid-20th century, a small number of Catholics made their way to Edisto, earning a living harvesting the abundance of high-quality oysters available in local waters. These early, faithful Catholic islanders drove long distances over rough roads to attend Mass. Their efforts were sometimes hampered when the Dawhoo Drawbridge was out of commission. It was a 70-mile round trip from Edisto to St. Mary’s, and back. During World War II, when gasoline was scarce, Bishop M.M. Walsh agreed to send a priest to celebrate Mass on the island. This began the custom of having Mass in the homes of either Steven and Lena Flowers or Fred and Florence Herlihy.

1950s to 1990s

In 1954, the Beach Company provided a lot to the Lions Club. Fred Herlihy offered the Lions Club a loan of $6000 if they would build a clubhouse immediately and allow the Catholic community use of the building for Mass on Sunday Mornings. Mr. Herlihy also ensured that other religious denominations were welcome to use the building for their worship services.

In 1954, Stephen Flowers offered a beach lot to the Bishop of Charleston for a chapel or church building. The Diocese determined that the lot was too small for the building and necessary parking. Mr. Flowers then offered a larger tract of land on Red House Road, approximately two miles from the beach. This tract was also found to be too small. The current lot on Rt. 174 was acquired in 1977. In 1979, the Church of St. Frederick and St. Stephen was dedicated at this location. In a letter dated November 16, 1979, Bishop Ernest
Unterkoefler decreed that the Catholic Church on Edisto Island be designated as the Church of Saints Frederick and Stephen, reminding us of St. Frederick, who was a bishop, and St. Stephen, the First Martyr of the Church. These names also honor our early benefactors, Stephen Flowers, and Fred Herlihy.

A Planning Commission meeting was held in December 1993. It was noted that church attendance had been growing and was expected to continue to gradually increase, partly due to the completion of the new bridge. The priest suggested that the St. Frederick and St. Stephen communities start to wean themselves from St. Mary’s and become an independent parish except for sharing a priest.

Church Expansion Plans Evolve

Preliminary discussions were started regarding building a
new church. In a 2007 document, it was noted that parish records showed 29 registered families. As most of the members were retired or semi-retired, “families” generally consisted of a couple. At that time, it appears that at least two different building plans were proposed. One plan was to build a 2,400-square-foot addition to the existing building. The new addition was to hold the sanctuary of the church, and the existing building would become a parish community
center.

The estimated cost for this proposal was $175.000. Another plan showed an addition between the existing building and Highway 174. This plan showed the addition containing the community center, new restrooms, a new kitchen, and additional office space. In a letter dated June 15, 2007, Bishop Robert J. Baker gave conceptual approval for expansion. However, these plans were later put “on hold.” A subsequent parish survey indicated that parishioners favored
a new small sanctuary separate from the existing building. In November 2008, Fr. Antony Benjamine, the parish administrator, requested approval from the diocese to establish a “Building Fund” and conduct fundraising activities. Our Capital Campaign to designate furnishings was launched in November 2018, and was instrumental in financing the construction.

Church Expansion Plans Evolve

Present Day

Currently, St. Frederick & St. Stephen Catholic Church has approximately 50 registered families, mostly retired or semi-retired empty nesters. There are also many “regular visitors,” people who have homes in Edisto, but also spend time at a home elsewhere.

We have an “all-volunteer” parish. Approximately 30 parishioners actively care for the buildings and grounds, prepare the church for Masses, lector, count the collection, keep the books, hold social events, buy supplies and engage in various outreach ministries.

Bill Kinney and Bernie Flowers

New sanctuary construction

Church Dedication

Rainbow Graces Construction

This beautiful rainbow appeared over the sanctuary during construction. Parishioners were in a Planning Meeting in the now Parish Hall during a rain shower. When the meeting adjourned and the rain had ended, they were all touched by God’s Promise in the form of a rainbow over the new sanctuary. This rainbow was just one of many symbols that God has blessed St. Frederick & St. Stephen Catholic Church abundantly.

The Clergy who served our Parish

Rev. Mosier			1969 (St. Mary’s)
Rev. Goodman			1978
Rev. Vincent Sikora			1979
Rev. W.C. Burn			1980
Rev. Sylvester F. Scotti			1981-1983
Rev. J. Donald Gorski			1984-1989
Rev. Theoore Celwick			1990-1993
Rev. Basil Congro			1994-1996
Rev. William C. Kinney			1997-2004
Rev. Stanley Smolenski			2004-2006
Rev. Anthony Batung			2006-2008
Rev. Anthony Benjamine			2008-2014
Rev. Mark Good			2014-2016
Rev. Johnbosco Duraisamy			2016-2019
Rev. Robert Sayer			2019-2021
Rev. Timothy Akanson			2021-2022
Rev. Jesuprathap “JP” Narichetti			2022-present