St. James the Greater Catholic Mission facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. James the Greater Catholic Mission
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3087 Ritter Rd., south of Walterboro, South Carolina |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1833 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000676 |
| Added to NRHP | September 29, 2015 |
The St. James the Greater Catholic Mission is a special church located in southern Colleton County, South Carolina. It's known as a Black Catholic church. This place has been used by an African-American community for worship since 1833. It's very rare because its original buildings and grounds are still mostly the same as they were long ago.
The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. This means it's an important historical site in the United States.
Contents
A Long History of Faith
The church community started in 1833. Bishop John England helped create the parish. This happened after many local plantation owners and the people they enslaved became Catholic.
In 1856, the first church building burned down. After this, many of the plantation owners moved away. This was especially true when the people who had been enslaved gained their freedom.
However, many of the African-American community members stayed. They kept their Catholic faith, even without a church building or a priest. A very dedicated man named Vincent de Paul Davis helped lead the community. He taught about the faith and was a godfather to many children. These children were baptized in churches nearby.
In 1892, Father Daniel Berberich, from the Pallottine order, found this community. He began to hold Mass for them. He also helped them build a new church in 1894. Soon after, a school was added for the children. The church building that stands today was built in 1935.
The Church Building and Grounds
The church property includes several important parts. The main church building was constructed in 1935. It has a shingled roof and is built in the Gothic Revival style. This style often features pointed arches and tall windows.
There is also a small school building on the property. This school dates back to 1901. The site also has a cemetery. People have been buried there since 1835.
About the Church in Media
A documentary film was made about the church and its community. The film is called "We Came A Long Way By Faith: Catholic Hill and St. James the Greater Catholic Church". It was released in 2020.
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