St. Paul The Apostle Spartanburg 3.6

St Paul the Apostle parish is part of the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. The Catholic presence in our state goes back over 200 years. The first canonical parish in the state was St. Mary's in Charleston, founded in 1787. At that time, all thirteen colonies comprised the Diocese of Baltimore under the jurisdiction of Bishop John Carroll. By 1820, the Catholic population in the South had increased. The states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia were separated from the Diocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Charleston was formed. Its first bishop, John England, had only six priests to help him attend to the needs of Catholics living in these three states.

The first Catholics moved into the Upstate around 1850. At that time, Spartanburg was part of a large mission territory that was served from St. Peter's in Columbia. In 1882, Rev. John J. Monaghan was appointed pastor of St. Mary's in Greenville. He quickly raised the money to build St. Paul's Church and the cornerstone was laid October 14, 1883. It can still be seen at the southwest corner of the building. The building was enlarged in 1937 to include a new sanctuary and additional seating. Of note are the stained glass windows depicting six of the seven sacraments and the handsome marble altar imported from Italy, representing Holy Eucharist.

St Paul the Apostle parish is part of the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. The Catholic presence in our state goes back over 200 years. The first canonical parish in the state was St. Mary's in Charleston, founded in 1787. At that time, all thirteen colonies comprised the Diocese of Baltimore under the jurisdiction of Bishop John Carroll. By 1820, the Catholic population in the South had increased. The states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia were separated from the Diocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Charleston was formed. Its first bishop, John England, had only six priests to help him attend to the needs of Catholics living in these three states.

The first Catholics moved into the Upstate around 1850. At that time, Spartanburg was part of a large mission territory that was served from St. Peter's in Columbia. In 1882, Rev. John J. Monaghan was appointed pastor of St. Mary's in Greenville. He quickly raised the money to build St. Paul's Church and the cornerstone was laid October 14, 1883. It can still be seen at the southwest corner of the building. The building was enlarged in 1937 to include a new sanctuary and additional seating. Of note are the stained glass windows depicting six of the seven sacraments and the handsome marble altar imported from Italy, representing Holy Eucharist.