Parish Records

Parish Records

The following is a chronological account of the happenings within the mission of St. Theresa's during the l930's. This handwritten account was found at the rectory in Orangeburg and given to Lila Williams by Father Helldorfer in 1988.

May 11, 1930, Sunday First Mass by Redemptorist by Rev. Thomas A. Cronin, CSSR. Took breakfast with Dr. Philips.
May 24, 1930, Saturday Fr. Cronin stayed overnight at Dr. Philip's house and said 8 o'clock Mass, Benediction following. Left Blessed Sacrament reserved there. Found Church well taken of.
June 8, 1930, Sunday Mass at 8 o'clock and Benediction
June 22, 1930, Sunday Mass at 8 o'clock and Benediction
June 29, 1930, Sunday Mass at 8 o'clock and Benediction
June 30, 1930, Sunday Fr. Cronin married Eleanor Bean and Hamlin Gleaton First CSSR marriage (This marriage took place at the home of the bride.)
August 24, 1930, Sunday Fr. John Waldren, CSSR, newly stationed, had the Mass.
August 31, 1930, Sunday Mass- Fr. Cronin - minor repairs made
October 3, 1930, Friday Feast of the Little Flower and F. irst Friday.. Mass at 7:30 a.m.
October 8, 1930 Marriage of Evelyn Bean and Arthur McIntosh of Columbia (This was the first marriage in St. Theresa's Church.)
Christmas (Written as Xmas) Mass at 7:00

Mass usually every second Sunday - Father did much mission work

June 20-25, 1931 Mark Hutson of Springfield (75 years old) who had long considered entering the church, was baptized on his deathbed June 20, received first Communion June 22, died June 24 and buried on June 25th - Fr. Cronin.

Mass still every second Sunday and special occasions No one priest assigned to the chapel

January 21, 1932 Beginning today - Mass every Sunday (4 in community. 2 however are missionaries)
December 1, 1932 Mrs. Philips died today in childbirth.
March 21, 1933 Frs. Cronin and Watson bless statue of St. Theresa and of Infant Jesus, a memorial to Mrs. Philips who died last December.
April 14, 1933 First mention of Stations of Cross - Good Friday evening - Fr. Watson

Father Watson begins to be regular priest of this chapel.

October 29, 1934 Work on church begins - extensive termite damage to flooring, large beams, and ceiling.
1935 Father John Walsh begins to be most frequent celebrant of Mass.
1936 Still only 2 fathers regularly and 2 missionaries in Orangeburg.
June 25, 1936 Fr. Cronin, first CSSR priest, transferred to Albany, New York. Fr. Joseph Driscoll returns as new pastor.
November 23, 1936 Mrs. Jane Gleaton Bean, oldest Catholic in South Carolina died this morning. Funeral next day at 3:30 p.m.
May 20-23, 1937 mission for Springfield-Blackville by Fr. McGillicuddy, CSSR. 36-38-46 present at evening services. 36 communion at closing Mass.
October 10, I938 Work begun on repairs to roof and painting
May 3, 1939 Fr. Joseph Daley replaces Fr. Joseph Driscoll as pastor.
September 24, 1939, Sunday Attendance 15 Attendance generally given as "good," sometimes "fair." "Study Club" inaugurated early in year - 12 noted as present one time.
Added notes about the 1930's

Mrs. Cassie Toal Culbertson and sons, Gus and Joe, long-time residents of Perry, South Carolina were active members of St. Theresa's. They lived in a large country home which was often filled with Catholic guests from up north. Mrs. Alex Salley of Perry was also an early member of St. Theresa's.


Muriel Gleaton Green and Norma Gleaton Brodie recall the time spent during their teenage years (the mid 1930's) as members of the Sodality which met monthly in Orangeburg at Holy Trinity. Father Driscoll would send his driver to pick up Sodality members from the surrounding towns including Holly Hill, Bamberg, and Springfield. These were the depression years, and Father Driscoll always saw to it that the Sodality members had a good meal at the meetings. Muriel and Norma fondly remember the good food, trips to the Isle of Palms, and the religious influence Father Driscoll and Father Walsh had on their lives.

Activities of the 1950's

The church community remained active at St. Theresa's during the 1940's. By the 1950's, many of the elder care-takers of the parish had passed away. A number of adults had moved on to jobs out-of-state, returning to Springfield for the summer months.


Under the leadership of Lila G. Williams, many community and church activities were carried out. The following is an account of some of these activities.

September, 1951 A barbecue dinner was held at Goodland Gardens for displaced persons (D.P.'s) who were from overseas and had come to the area to work the farms. I 25 persons attended, and Gus Culbertson barbecued. Sophie Grooms acted as Polish interpreter.
December, 1951 A communion breakfast was held for these displaced persons and presents were distributed for their children.
April, 1952 A 19 table Card Game Tournament was held at the gymnasium. Money collected went to the new renovations.
Summer, 1953 A drive was held to have plumbing put into the church. Funds were solicited from parishioners by letter. Gus Culbertson oversaw the work and donated his labor. Miriam Bean Boland donated one lavatory. The other fixtures were purchased from the E.L. Davis Hardware Store on Main Street. Renovations included new pipes, fixtures, and cement blocks.
Fall, 1953 Marian Furtick and Lila Williams sprigged and planted the present lawn around the church.
July, 1954 A TV set was raffled raising $368 for repairs for the ceiling. These funds also purchased light fixtures and provided for the installation of the crucifix behind the altar. Father Ellison was in charge.
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