st. james the greater catholic church

St. James the Greater is a quaint church sitting at a crossroad off the beatenpath about 20 minutes from the actual town of Walterboro. The history ofthis parish is tied to the land and time like no other church in the US.Before the Civil War, this small community known as Thomson's Crossroad andlater Catholic Crossroad was the site of several plantations. The plantationowners and many of their slaves had converted to Catholicism in the 1830s,and a church was erected and dedicated to Saint James the Greater by JohnEngland, the bishop of Charleston, in 1833. The church was burned down in1856, and the plantation owners moved away after the Civil War. But theblack Catholics remained and so did their faith, thanks to the fidelity andzeal of a former slave, Vincent de Paul Davis, who owned a general storewhere he taught children their prayers and acted as godfather to the manyinfants who were carried to Catholic churches, often at a distance, wherethey were baptized. The old baptismal register now located at St. AnthonyChurch in Walterboro reveals several pages of names of people who werebaptized with Vincent de Paul Davis as their sponsor. Around 1892 thecommunity of some 60 black Catholics was "discovered" by a Pallotine priestfrom Charleston, Father Daniel Berberich, who celebrated Mass with themtwice a month. By 1894 a new church was built. Three years later a parochialschool was added with a local teacher, and by 1901 there were two layteachers. The present church was constructed in 1935. The church is tiny instature but busting at the seams with warmth and history. The members makeyou feel like you are wanted and welcome. I dare say they make you feel likefamily. I loved the exposed beams that were painted black with gold accent.There was moving pieces of art everywhere. And as you would expect many,many unique antiques. The choir sung soulful beautiful hymns that moved andinspired me. I'm really looking forward to bringing more friends and familyto attend this mission so they can experience the warmth of this amazingchurch. Credit http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2008/07/built-living-stones for history portion of review