About The University of South Carolina (U.S.C.) in Columbia, South Carolina:
The University of South Carolina (USC, SC, or Carolina) is a public research university. Founded in 1801 as South Carolina College, it is the flagship of the University of South Carolina System and the largest university in the state by enrollment. Its main campus is on over 359 acres in downtown Columbia, close to the South Carolina State House. The university is classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities with Highest Research Activity”. It houses the largest collection of Robert Burns and Scottish literature materials outside Scotland and the world’s largest Ernest Hemingway collection.
About St. Thomas More Catholic Church at The University of South Carolina (U.S.C.) in Columbia, South Carolina:
St. Thomas More Catholic Church began with six students from the University of South Carolina and Fr. Theophilus McNulty, O.F.M, September 23, 1953. Prior to the September meeting, the Catholic students at the university, known as the “Newman Club,” had been meeting at St. Peter’s Catholic Church since mid-1930. Recognizing the need for a Catholic student center at the University of South Carolina, Msgr. Martin C. Murphy, St. Peter’s Church in Columbia, requested to purchase property on Greene Street. The Bishop of Charleston, John J. Russell, gave permission to purchase the property that included a house and six-car garage. The new Catholic Student Center and Chapel were to be called the “Thomas More Centre” and “St. Thomas More Center,” respectively.
The garage was torn down in order for the chapel to be built, which was consecrated by Bishop Russell on March 7, 1954. The altar and all of the granite work contained in the Thomas More Chapel was donated by John Bernardin. During this time, the Franciscan Fathers, with the help of any student who happened to drop by, repaired the Thomas More Centre that served as both a religious house for the priests in residence and meeting place for students.
In August of 1963, a Fr. Bonaventure Brown O.F.M. became the director of the Thomas More Centre. Under Fr. Brown’s leadership, the small community expanded so greatly that the chapel was too small for Sunday Mass. In 1965, a letter was sent to the Administrator of the Diocese requesting that two Masses be held at Rutledge Chapel on the USC horseshoe and one Mass at St. Thomas More Chapel.
Due to community Growth, Fr. Brown realized the need for a larger chapel, which was completed in 1973. The new chapel held about 165 people, and was originally adorned with plain glass. Stained glass was donated by USC basketball coach, Frank McGuire. Franciscan Fathers faithfully served the St. Thomas More community until the early 1990’s, after which The St. Thomas More Center and Chapel were deeded back to the Diocese of Charleston and have been served by diocesan priests since. On January 1, 2014, St. Thomas More became a recognized Parish. Father Marcin Zahuta became its first pastor ever in 2015.
Traveling to Columbia, South Carolina:
You can reach Columbia, South Carolina, by car via major interstates, by air through Columbia Metropolitan Airport, or by bus and train services.
By Air: The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) offers daily non-stop flights from major hubs, including Charlotte, Atlanta, and Washington Dulles.
By train: Amtrak’s Silver Service/Palmetto line stops in Columbia, making it accessible from cities along the Eastern seaboard, including Boston and Washington, D.C.
By Bus: The Greyhound bus system operates routes to Columbia, bringing passengers to the downtown area. Southeastern Stages also provides bus services from various locations within South Carolina.
By Car: three major interstates intersect the city:
I-26: Connects Columbia to Charleston and Greenville.
I-20: Links Columbia to Augusta, Georgia, and Florence, South Carolina.
I-77: Provides access from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Traveling to St. Thomas More Catholic Church at U.S.C. in Columbia, South Carolina:
Address: 1610 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: +1 803) 799-5870
Visit the official website of St. Thomas More Chapel at U.S.C.