This account of the history of Saint Theresa's Church in Springfield, South Carolina was originally written in 1985 by members of the Bean and Phillips families at the request of St. Theresa's Altar Society. It has been revised and updated as part of the Vision of the Synod of Charleston Implementation Directive, October 1996.

Early History of Springfield's Catholic Community

Twenty years before the town of Springfield was chartered in 1887, a small Catholic community developed when the Irish immigrant, Daniel Bean (Behan) settled in the area. He married Jane Salley Gleaton, a local girl who became Catholic. They provided a Catholic education for their six children by arranging for a priest, the Reverend Boughton O'Brien from Charleston, as their tutor. Little is known about the actual practice of Catholicism in the area during this early period.

Though there was a shortage of priests and no church, the Catholic community continued after the death of Daniel Bean in 1899.

Dr. Paul A. Phillips returned from New York in 1900 where he studied medicine and married his wife Evelyn Crane of New York City.

Cuthbert Gleaton married Lila Beattie of Charleston in 1911. These two families helped to expand the original nucleus. This small community of Catholics in Springfield was originally served by priests from Charleston, and later from Aiken, where children were often taken for baptism, first communion, and confirmation.

During the decade between 1910 and 1920, Springfield became a mission of Holy Trinity Church in Orangeburg, which had been founded in 1895. Mass in Springfield was generally celebrated once a month in the front parlor of the home of Jane Gleaton Bean on Railroad Avenue in Springfield. The priests usually came by train to Springfield and stayed overnight in the Bean home. The late Miss Alice Bean remembered one priest who caused unusual problems by playing hide-and-seek in the house with the children of the family, thus gaining access to the closets and other storage areas. A Catholic education was provided for several of the young girls of the community who were sent to the Ursuline Academy in Columbia to attend grammar and high school. Another young girl later attended St. Angela's Academy in Aiken.

A New Church Building

By the mid-1920's, Springfield's Catholic community was well enough established to make possible the erection of a permanent church. Father Michael J. Reddin, a diocesan priest from Orangeburg, took charge of the building of the church which was to become the present St. Theresa's. Mr. James Bean, Sr., Dr. Paul A. Phillips, members of the Springfield Catholic community, and the Catholic Extension Society provided financial help to make the church possible. The 1.7 acres of the church site were donated by Mr. James Bean, Sr. Large scale soliciting of funds was even undertaken by the young people of the parish. Those included were Evelyn Bean, Eleanor Bean, Catherine Bean, Myra Phillips, and Jean Phillips. Under the direction of Father Reddin, they wrote letters to people with "Irish sounding names" in the New York City telephone directory. Though the community members suggested building a smaller and compact structure, Father Reddin's plan to build a church in the Spanish mission style was accepted. The deed to the church is recorded in the Orangeburg County Courthouse under "Diocese of Charleston." The church was completed during 1926 and dedicated on December 6, 1926, by Bishop Northrup of Charleston. Saint Theresa of the Little Flower was chosen as the patron saint of the mission.

Improvements of the Church Building

Originally the church was heated by a wood stove that was placed about halfway up the right aisle. In the mid-1940's. the wood stove was replaced with an oil furnace which proved inefficient and was used for only a few years. In 1949, Father McGonagle had the church equipped with four gas space heaters which were used for heating until 1982 when the present heating and cooling system was installed along with carpeting. These improvements were accomplished through the efforts of Father Helldorfer and the Altar Society (Molly Williams-president).

Extensive renovation was carried out in the interior of the church in the mid-1950's when Father Ellison was pastor. Two full-sized windows behind the altar were closed in to provide a place for the life-size crucifix, the corpus, which was hand-carved in Italy. The present light fixtures and bathroom fixtures were also installed during this renovation by Gus Culbertson. Originally the building had a red tile roof. In 1975, Father Gorney had the original roof removed and replaced with synthetic roofing.

Stained Glass Windows

During the early period of the church, ladies of the mission pasted colored paper on the clear windows to create the impression of stained glass. A major contribution to the appearance of the church was undertaken by Father Coyne in the early 1960's through the replacement of the original windows with the present stained-glass windows. Originally, they were a part of the chapel of the Ursuline convent in Columbia. They were purchased by Father Coyne at a token price and were installed in St. Theresa's by parishioners in memory of relatives and friends. The windows were made in Italy and were appraised in 1984 at $17,000 each for the full-sized and $7,000 each for the small windows. The appraiser stated, however, that the windows were priceless because stained glass of that quality is no longer made. They have become one of the distinguishing features of St. Theresa's.

Organs

In the late 1960's, Father Jerlinski organized the purchase of the electric organ which is now in St. Theresa's as a replacement for an older organ donated to the church by the Hutson family of Springfield. In I996, the Catholic Extension Service Society asked the members of St. Theresa's to submit a Christmas wish list. An organ was at the top of the list. Within weeks, a huge moving van delivered a three manual, eighteen pedal Conn theatre organ donated by Bob Brown of Prospect Hills, Illinois. Organists at the church through the generations have included, Miriam Bean Boland, Marian Furtick. Myra Phillips, Sylvia Hiers, Lawana Furtick, and Stewart Graybeal.

Manger Scene

For many years, St. Theresa's was known for the manger scene placed in front of the church at Christmas time. A small wooden structure was usually erected, and light fixtures installed to illuminate the statuettes arranged to depict the birth of Christ. After the removal of most of the statuettes in the early 1970's by Father Hickey, a smaller manger scene was set up inside the church at Christmas time. The Altar Society has since purchased an outdoor manger scene.

Keeping the Catholic Faith Alive

During the early years, the Blessed Sacrament was not reserved at St. Theresa's because a priest was not in residence. At the request of Mrs. James Bean, Sr., the Bishop was petitioned for the privilege of reservation of the Blessed Sacrament. The petition was granted under the condition that a daily visit be made to the church. Mrs. Bean fulfilled this condition and kept the vigil light burning until the mid-1960's. Faithful members have continued this tradition.

The Stewardship of the Redemptorist Fathers

In 1930, the Redemptorist Fathers assumed responsibility for Holy Trinity Church in Orangeburg and its missions at the invitation of the Most Reverend Emmett Walsh, D.D., Bishop of Charleston. The subsequent history of St. Theresa's and the changes and developments which have occurred are closely associated with the succession of Redemptorist priests who have faithfully served in the mission until 1996. It is with gratitude to their dedication to this parish that we pass on the records that were kept through the 1930's. 

To see the records, go to Parish Records page. 

For a list of the priests who have served at St. Theresa's go to the Priests page.

Dedication to St. Theresa's Young People

There have been three eras of religious education within the parish.

In the early beginnings, the priests would come by train from Charleston and hold religious education in the parlors of local homes. When a priest was not available, the task of passing on the religious instruction was carried out by older sisters and brothers. It is fondly remembered that Eleanor Bean taught Sunday school and played piano and hymns for Harriett Bean, Jim Bean, Jr., John Bean, Jr., Jane Felder, and Lila Gleaton. Norma Gleaton Brodie remembers being taught by May Phillips, and Miriam Bean Boland taught Muriel Gleaton Green.

During the late 1940's and through the 1960's, the priest taught the children. There was a brief time during the 1950's when sisters from Columbia took area children to Barnwell for religious instruction. The Catholic Youth Organization was available to the young parishioners at this time. Young people of the parish frequently attended the yearly CYO conventions.

From the 1930's through the 1960's, the youth of the parish enjoyed going to Camp St. Mary's in Ridgeland, South Carolina where Norma Gleaton Brodie and Sylvia Williams Hiers served as camp counselors.

Then came a period of minimal church attendance when there were no catechism classes. They were re-established in 1977 as the number of young children increased, and there was a need for First Communion classes. Since then, there has been an emerging youth movement as these young people have reached their young adulthood and want to keep the legacy alive. Thank you to our CCD Instructors past & present.

The Active Church Family at St. Theresa's: Making the Connection From Past to Present

During the seventy years of the existence, St. Theresa's has been continuously supported by members and descendants of the three original families of Gleaton, Phillips, and Bean. Three original members attend St. Theresa's today - Lila Gleaton Williams, Muriel Gleaton Green, and Norma Gleaton Brodie. There are others who have played an active part in the history our church. O.K. Furtick returned to Springfield in the 1940's with his wife, Marian Barrett Furtick, and they raised seven children in the Catholic faith. The late Emmett O'Farrell was a dedicated member for many years. In addition, Sophie Grooms continues to be a faithful member since 1945.

The Church community at St. Theresa's in Springfield has remained active and continues to thrive. There is a strong sense of family among the members. The older parishioners are handing the traditions of the church down to the younger families. All are bearing witness to their faith in the communities and towns from which they travel every Sunday to attend mass at St. Theresa's (some from as far as twenty-five miles). Currently, the congregation includes members from Aiken, Blackville, Denmark, Kitchings Mill, Neeses, North, Norway, Pelion, Perry, Salley, Springfield, Swansea, Wagener, and Williston. Our church membership has steadily increased and has doubled in size during the years 1993-1996. There are now fifty-five Catholic households. This has been a direct result of today's parishioners maintaining the same commitment to keeping the Catholic faith alive as that of earlier generations.

St, Theresa's Church Organizations

Parish Pastoral Council

St. Theresa's Parish Council was organized 15 years ago at the request of the late Bishop Ernest Unterkoeffler that councils be established in all churches in the Diocese of Charleston. The original members were selected by Father Eugene Helldorfer. The present Parish Pastoral Council members were elected by members of St. Theresa's Church. Renovations of the church building with their direction have included a complete re-wiring of the electrical system, new roof, new ceiling, interior and exterior painting, and a refurbishing of some of the statues. One of our greatest needs is a Family Life Center where religious education classes can be conducted and where the activities that strengthen our Christian spirit of family and community can be held.  In conjunction with the Altar Society, the Pastoral Council is planning to make St Theresa's Family Life Center a reality

Altar Society

St. Theresa's Altar Society was begun in the late I920's and flouris.hedfor many years It was reactivated in 1975 and hu evolvedinto an organization that involves itself in a variety of activie,. There are presently 18 members ranging in age from the 20's to the 80's, bond together by a committment to serve St Theresa's Church Activites include care of the church, social ministry, and ministry to the sick and bereaved The Altar Society sponsors many youth actjvities including the annual Easter egg hunt, skating and bowling trips. and fishing. The annual Christmas Caroling pany and hayride is a highlight The Altar Society arranges many social activities to promote the spirit of fellowship and community among the members of St Theresa's such as family picnics, brunches, and coffees. Its members have raised funds for carpeting and for the present heating and cooling system.