By Deirdre C. Mays
MOUNT PLEASANT — Christ Our King Church dedicated its new Catholic Community Life Center Nov. 20.
Bishops Robert J. Baker and David B. Thompson joined Msgr. James A. Carter, pastor, along with Father Greg Wilson, parochial vicar; Our Lady of Mercy Sister Stella Maris Craven, school principal; and Father Paul A. Brenninkmeijer, pastor of St. Benedict Church in Mount Pleasant, in the blessing and dedication ceremony. Christ Our King Show Choir and Crusader Choir performed.
The Catholic Community Life Center was conceived as a gym initially, but Christ Our King-Stella Maris School needed work, Msgr. Carter told the audience.
The primary purpose of the center is to provide the physical space necessary to meet the growth of the parishes East of the Cooper.
“Through your efforts, through your talents, through your generosity, we are able to be here tonight,” he said. “We could never end thanking all the donors. This facility will be a future for all generations to come.”
The 29,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art multi-use facility features a gymnasium with a stage area and an outstanding acoustical engineering system. The available seating capacity is 700 or 1,000 standing. The complex includes four private meeting rooms, a reception hall (Grace Hall) and a commercial kitchen.
“What we have seen here, at this wonderful parish in the way of development, reflects the amazing growth of Charleston and Mount Pleasant, as well as the state of South Carolina,” Bishop Baker said in his blessing.
The parish will also make the facility available to the community and individuals, business, civic or social organizations will also be able to rent the facility for events or meetings.
Bishop Baker complimented the parish on their foresight to reach out to the community.
“We are people who continue to be challenged to welcome many strangers in our midst who come from all parts of our continent and world,” he said. “Congratulations to my predecessor, Bishop David Thompson, for his role in efforts to reach out to the strangers in our midst in his days as bishop of Charleston and as a continued welcomer to parishioners new and old here at Christ Our King, to Msgr. Carter, to Father Greg Wilson, our Deacon Joe Cahill, to our religious sisters, Our Lady of Mercy Sister Cyril Murray, Sister Stella Maris Craven and the dedicated laity who helped make this day possible.
“You have made this the warm parish it is not only by the wonderful facilities you have added which we bless today, but by your deep faith, your great love for the Lord, and your gracious hospitality to all.”