CHARLESTON — Father Scott J. A. Buchanan, 31, a priest of the Diocese of Charleston, died Jan. 6 in Columbia from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Father Buchanan was serving as administrator of St. Ann Church in Holly Hill and moderator of St. Mary Church in Summerton at the time of his death.
Bishop Robert J. Baker celebrated Sunday Masses at both parishes on Jan. 7.
A vigil service was held on Jan. 9 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston. A Mass of Christian Burial took place the following morning at the Cathedral. (See next week’s Miscellany.) Prayers of final commendation and farewell was held at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Father Buchanan was born on July 18, 1969, in Portsmouth, Va., the son of Carol Ann Buchanan and Gary More Ganson.
He graduated from St. Andrew’s High School and the College of Charleston with degrees in history and philosophy. He attended St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa., and completed seminary in Rome, Italy, obtaining a degree and licentiate in church history from the Gregorian University while at the Pontifical North American College.
He was authorized to teach both church history and theology and wrote his thesis paper on “Catholics in the Carolinas and Georgia from 1670-1820.”
He had been asked by Bishop David B. Thompson to write a complete history of the Diocese of Charleston.
Father Buchanan was ordained on July 12, 1997, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist by Bishop Thompson.
His assignments after ordination were Church of the Nativity on James Island, St. Anthony’s in Florence, St. Louis in Dillon and Church of the Infant Jesus in Marion, prior to his appointment to Holly Hill and Summerton.
Father Buchanan is survived by his mother in Charleston; his father in Virginia; a brother, Gray McKay Buchanan of Nashville; great aunts, great uncles, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Seminarian Fund in care of the Diocese of Charleston, 119 Broad St., Charleston, SC 29401.