St. Peter's Catholic Church, Columbia

Located on Assembly Street in Columbia, South Carolina, the Basilica of Saint Peter-also known as Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church-is a landmark of spiritual and architectural significance. It stands as the second building of the oldest Catholic parish in Columbia and the greater Midlands region, tracing its roots back to 1820 when the first resident Catholic priest arrived in the city.

The original church, completed in 1824, was designed by noted South Carolina architect Robert Mills. This structure served the parish for nearly a century before it was demolished to make way for a new sanctuary. The current church, a striking example of Gothic Revival architecture, was designed by Southern architect Frank Pierce Milburn. Spearheaded by Father Thomas J. Hegarty, construction began in 1906 and was completed in 1908, with its dedication following in January 1909.

Architecturally, the church is defined by its cruciform layout, high nave, and use of dark red brick complemented by Bedford limestone and terra cotta trim. The roof is covered with Buckingham Slate, and the church’s spire, topped with a cross, rises to a height of 163 feet (49.7 meters). Inside, the nave reaches 51 feet (15.6 meters) in height and 64 feet (19.5 meters) in length. A 3,500-pound (1,591 kilograms) bell-cast in 1911 by McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore-resides in the tower. Behind the church lies a graveyard that connects the past to the present.

In recognition of its historical and cultural value, Saint Peter’s was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Its significance grew further on June 24, 2018, when the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted it the title of ‘Minor Basilica,’ making it the first basilica in South Carolina.