Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Peter Catholic Church
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
1. St. Peter Catholic Church Marker
(side 1 faces north cemetery on right)
(side 1 faces north cemetery on right)
This Greek Revival church, built In 1846, dedicated as "St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church," Is the oldest Catholic church in Beaufort County. Michael O'Connor (1798-1850), a native of Ireland who came to Beaufort In 1822, built it and deeded the church and lot to the bishop. Its first pastor was Rev. J.J. O'Connell (1821-1894), author of Catholicity in the Carolinas and Georgia (1879).
The brick wall was built in 1857 by local craftsman Franklin Talbird. During the Civil War, the church housed a school for freedmen. The Gothic trefoil window was added in 1899. Though the parish moved to Lady's Island In 1987, this church has been used for special events since and was handsomely restored in 2012. The churchyard includes several fine examples of 19th and 20th century gravestone art.
Erected 2013 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Beaufort County Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-45.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.
Location. 32° 26.151′ N, 80° 40.201′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, South Carolina
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry and on the Sea Islands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beaufort College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); University of South Carolina Beaufort (about 400 feet away); Beaufort Colored School (about 400 feet away); Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library (about 500 feet away); Wesley Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); First African Baptist Church (about 600 feet away); Carteret Street United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Baptist Church of Beaufort (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
2. St. Peter Catholic Church Marker
(side 2 faces south church on left)
(side 2 faces south church on left)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
3. St. Peter Catholic Church Marker (side 2; wide view from cemetery; church on left)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
4. St. Peter Catholic Church Cemetery Gravestone Art
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
5. St. Peter Catholic Church Cemetery Gravestone Art
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
6. St. Peter Catholic Church (marker visible along sidewalk near left edge of image)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 958 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
