MOUNT PLEASANT—For over eight years, the parishioners of St. Benedict Church have used a school cafeteria as their facility.
That will change in 2010. Tangible signs of progress were visible recently as a parade of construction vehicles arrived and began work on the site of the new church building.
The property is located next to Wando High School off Darrell Creek Trail. According to a press release, the new facility is the first of a multi-phased building plan that will eventually include other structures, and possibly a school, to support the growing parish.
Trident Construction is the general contractor for the project and is working with LS3P Architects. Civil engineering and land planning is by Thomas and Hutton Company, and CRG will manage structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering.
For many parishioners, this is a dream come true. Originally known as East Cooper Catholic Community, St. Benedict was established in May 1999. Founding families held Mass in the Dunes West neighborhood clubhouse each week, before moving over to Cario Middle School.
Since then the community has grown to over 500 families. St. Benedict’s Graded Religious Education program currently supports over 200 children. Parish ministries involve hundreds of members, and willing hands and giving hearts are at work seven days a week. Volunteers set up for every Mass, visit homebound and sick parishioners, teach and mentor youth, build homes for the needy, meet for prayerful fellowship and much more.
Msgr. Chester M. Moczydlowski, pastor, is focused on guiding the parish through a time of change and unprecedented growth, while reinforcing and expanding the “All Are Welcome” philosophy that has been a hallmark of St. Benedict since its inception, the press release stated.
Construction is expected to last through fall of this year. The goal is to celebrate the first Mass in the new church home before Christmas.