[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

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                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2006

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, The Columbia Star reported 
on June 16, 2006 an article highlighting the 100 year Birthday Bash to 
celebrate 100 years of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Columbia, South 
Carolina, occupying its present building on Assembly Street. Jennifer 
Miskewicz, an anchor from WIS News 10 and member of St. Peter's, 
presided over the day's events.
  St. Peter's Church is the Mother Church of the Midlands of South 
Carolina being established in 1821.
  A brief history of the church is a testamonial to the importance of 
the church to the citizens of South Carolina.
  The earliest record of Catholics in Columbia, South Carolina, is in 
association with Father James Wallace who in the early 1800's became 
Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at the newly-formed South 
Carolina College. It is said that during his tenure Fr. Wallace 
celebrated Mass for the small but growing community of Catholics in the 
Midlands. (He is buried in St. Peter's churchyard.)
  In 1820 the Diocese of Charleston was established. It included all of 
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Early in 1821 the newly-
appointed Bishop John England sent Father Dennis Corkery to pastor and 
attend the welfare of a group of Irish immigrants working on the 
Columbia Canal. This was the beginning of St. Peter's Parish. By 1824 
work began on a small brick church designed by renowned architect 
Robert Mills. The cornerstone of that building can still be seen in the 
vestibule of the present church.
  Since it was the only parish in the Midlands and Upstate in those 
early years, the pastors of St. Peter's traveled by horseback to serve 
small groups of Catholics throughout that vast territory. For the most 
part, Catholics in the South at that time were of humble circumstances, 
many operating small farms, some retail stores and a fraction of them 
employed at some of the developing state institutions. Few commanded 
positions of influence. This changed gradually, and by 1852, the 
construction of the State House and other public buildings brought 
additional Catholics to Columbia. Among these was John R. Niernsee, a 
native of Austria who became the architect for the State House. (He is 
buried in St. Peter's churchyard.)


                         An Educational Mission

  As Columbia established itself, St. Peter's Parish grew and began to 
focus attention and energy on an educational ministry. In 1848 Father 
Jeremiah O'Connell became pastor of St. Peter's and soon founded St. 
Mary's College for young men and the Academy of the Immaculate 
Conception for young women. In 1859 the Ursuline sisters began teaching 
in these institutions. That same year, the church was renovated and 
enlarged to almost twice its original size.
  The Civil War quickly put a halt to this progress, and on February 
17, 1865, Union troops entered the city. Fire then destroyed not only 
much of Columbia but also the college and academy, along with the 
rectory and parish records. The church was damaged but not destroyed. 
The schools continued in operation from various locations initially 
through the efforts of General William T. Sherman and later through the 
hospitality of other churches and residents of Columbia. A rectory was 
evenutally provided through the aid of the newly established Catholic 
Association of Columbia. In 1872 St. Peter's Cemetary was begun on land 
donated near the public cemetery on Elmwood Avenue. The parish then 
remained in steady operation to the end of the nineteenth century 
despite the difficulties associated with the years of the 
Reconstruction Era.


                       A New Building and Growth

  The beginning of the twentieth century found the old church in such 
deterioated condition that the parishioners decided to build a new and 
enlarged one. Frank P. Milburn, a prominent architect working at the 
time on the construction of the State House dome, was engaged to design 
and oversee the project. The cornerstone for a new English Gothic style 
church was laid in 1906. It was dedicated by Bishop Northrup on January 
17, 1909. The total cost of the church including all its furnishings 
was $60,506.64. The pastor, Father Thomas Hegarty, inspired and guided 
the community throughout the project. (He is buried in a side chapel in 
the vestibule of the church.) That same building continues to serve the 
community as its place of worship now into the twenty-first century.
  In 1911, a lot on the corner of Assembly and Taylor Streets was 
purchased and a new rectory was built. With the assistance of the 
Knights of Columbus a new school building was erected in 1919. In 1920, 
St. Peter's helped establish a new parish in the Shandon area first 
known as St. Francis de Sales, later renamed St. Joseph. Monsignor 
Martin Murphy, a beloved pastor for over a quarter of the last century, 
helped found St. Martin de Porres Parish, Providence Hospital, and St. 
Patrick's Chapel.


                          Toward a New Century

  In 1964 the parish received its first American-born pastor, Monsignor 
William Croghan. During those same years many of the reforms initiated 
by the Second Vatican Council were introduced and implemented in the 
parish. St. Peter's witnessed increased lay involvement in the parish. 
St. Peter's witnessed increased lay involvement in the work of the 
church, particularly in ecumenical activties, outready projects for the 
poor, and efforts for justice and peace. The interior of the church was 
remodeled during these years, but its more modern design proved to be 
inconsistent with the architectural style of the building. In later 
years it was again restored.
  Since 1985 Monsignor Leigh Lehocky has been pastor of St. Peter's. On 
September 11, 1987, the parish had the great privilege of receiving 
Pope John Paul II where he greated over 550 representatives from 
parishes throughout the diocese. The Pope's visit to Columbia also 
included an ecumenical dialogue with leaders from some twenty-six other 
Christian churches. Monsignor Lehocky, as diocesan Vicard for 
Ecumenism, has continued the spirit of the Pope, involving the parish 
in the work for Christian unity. On January 14, 1996, St. Peter's 
welcomed Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago, himself a child of the 
parish, to celebrate its 175th anniversary. In 1992, Bishop David 
Thompson dedicated the new parish school.
  The history of Catholic Christians at St. Peter's touches into three 
centuries. Its life in Christ Jesus makes it ever ancient and yet 
always new.

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