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| St. Francis by the Sea Church History
 This brief history of our church will give you an understanding of what has been accomplished since our inception, and how we have evolved from a church of fewer than 100 families into the dynamic faith-based community of today.
In December 1984, the bishop of Charleston announced that a second parish would be formed on Hilton Head Island. The new parish was placed under the ministry of the Redemptorist Fathers with Reverend Joseph Majewski as its founding pastor. Named by the parishioners, St. Francis by the Sea serves the northern end of the island. Holy Family, which was the only parish on the island for about 19 years, serves the southern half of the island.
Our relationship with our southern neighbor continues to be close. During our beginning stages, we were allowed to use their facilities for baptisms, weddings, and funerals until we had our own church. St. Andrews, just off island and popularly known as Pinckney Colony, also shared Holy Family’s facilities for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. St. Andrews covered the entire Bluffton area for more than 100 years and eventually embarked on its own extensive building project, now represented by St. Gregory the Great Parish.
From the very beginning, our parish has depended on the generosity of many others who provided us with accommodations for weekend and daily liturgies. The First Presbyterian Church offered space for our Saturday evening services and parish socials. Through the kindness of Tom and David Reilley, Sunday and daily Masses were held at the Crazy Crab Restaurant. In 1988 attendance at Sunday Masses exceeded the capacity of the Crazy Crab. As a result, we moved our Sunday services to the cafeteria at Hilton Head primary school while daily Masses continued at the restaurant.
After many prayers and much searching, the present site was purchased from Greenwood Development Corporation. Committees were formed to plan, design, and supervise the construction of the church that was to seat 927 people. The church building was completed in February 1991. The rectory and office followed two years later. The Family Center and two education wings were completed in 1995.
In 1996, the Redemptorists, facing a shortage of vocations, were forced to withdraw from several South Carolina parishes, including St. Francis by the Sea. The diocese assigned Reverend Martin Laughlin as the second pastor of our parish. Under his guidance, St. Francis Catholic School opened with pre-k and kindergarten classes and the school building campaign began. Under the leadership of Reverend Michael McCafferty, who became pastor in 1997, the first and second grades were added and the dream of a complete primary education school started to become a reality.
The school building project was completed in 1998 with enrollment in grades three, four, and five in session. Plans were made to add a new class each year to provide education through the eighth grade. The parish CCD program, with more than 350 enrollees, also uses the facility and occupies every classroom on weekends.
In 1997, with the influx of immigrants to Hilton Head, the parish began its Hispanic Ministry under Sr. Lupé Stump. In February of 1999, the Hispanic Office of Legal Assistance was put into place. This office has now developed into St. Francis by the Sea Immigration Services.
At the end of 1997, the St. Francis by the Sea Columbarium was completed. Located between the back of the church and the lagoon, this beautiful garden setting provides a reverential place of inurnment for the ashes of our beloved deceased. To the living it provides a place for visitation, remembrance and prayer.
In 2004 Father Laughlin returned as interim pastor, and in mid-2005 Fr. Michael Oenbrink was appointed pastor to shepherd the dynamic and growing St. Francis flock. Our parish consists of young working, middle-aged and retired families and singles, many of whom share their time, talent, and treasure in our many ministries and outreach programs. We are confident that our vibrant community will always reach out, bringing the gospel message to all as we embrace the stewardship way of life.
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St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church
45 Beach City Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Phone Number: 843-681-6350
FAX Number: 843-689-5502
Email: office@stfrancishhi.org
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