Rock Hill in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Mary Catholic Church
St. Mary Catholic Church formed in 1945. It was organized by Fr. Edward Wahl, a white Oratorian who sought to minister to local African Americans. The first church was constructed at this site and dedicated in 1946. Also built at that time was a recreation center that hosted social events, athletic leagues, and other programs for local Black residents. At the time of its founding, St. Mary had five members.
St. Mary grew to more than sixty members by the mid-1950s. In 1951 the church established Crawford Federal Credit Union to provide financial assistance to local African Americans. The Sisters of Christian Doctrine founded a preschool and kindergarten in 1956. An education center across Crawford Road was dedicated in 1969. A larger church was built next to the original in 2008 to accommodate St. Mary's roughtly 450 members.
Erected 2024 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council No. 15811 and S.C. African American Heritage Commission. (Marker Number 46-86.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans •
this page online
Location. 34° 54.992′ N, 81° 2.375′ W. Marker is in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in York County. It is on Crawford Road west of Carroll Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 911 Crawford Rd, Rock Hill SC 29730, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, 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: Emmett Scott School (about 500 feet away, measured
Also see . . . Our Rich History page on the site for St. Mary Catholic Church's site.
St. Mary Catholic Church in Rock Hill, SC, began with the efforts of Fr. Edward Wahl who was assigned to work with the local African American community following his ordination in January 1945. At that time, there were only five practicing Black Catholics in Rock Hill and the need in the African American community was apparent. As interest in Catholicism and organized recreation grew within the local African American community, so did the need for a church. Fr. Edward purchased land with the help of many benefactors and matching Diocesan funds. On October 3, 1945, St. Mary broke ground on its present Crawford Road site and the first Mass was celebrated July 4, 1946, with(Submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)St. Marys five registered members.
St. Mary experienced astonishing growth during the 1950s through the start of several civic programs and community services. In 1951, Crawford Federal Credit Union was createdproviding loans and banking services to the poor and serving as an alternate source of credit to those who could not afford the high interest rates at the time. In 1954, five of our youth enrolled in St. Anne School in Rock Hill, becoming the first integrated school in South Carolina.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 18, 2026
4. St. Martin de Porres sculpture
St. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of Black people within the Roman Catholic Church, and sculptures and other artwork in his likeness is featured in many historically Black parishes in the United States.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 35 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
