First Mass

Parris Island, South Carolina †inferred

1569

LocationParris Island
State/TerritorySouth Carolina
CountyBeaufort County
Modern DioceseDiocese of Charleston
Historical DioceseDiocese of Santiago de Cuba(?)
Date1569 †
PriestFr Rogel, SJ
Religious OrderSociety of Jesus (Jesuits)
RiteRoman (Latin) Rite
Confidenceinferred
Submitted by@rejoicecc

Photos

Garraghan, 1939
Garraghan, 1939
Parris Island — 1569

Documentation

Notes

This area marked the northernmost outpost of Spain's fledgling Atlantic seaboard presence in the 16th century, and several priests are noted to have traveled in and through South Carolina during this time, but the best source for a first mass said on Parris Island on or near Santa Elena is Gilbert J. Garraghan, S.J. ("Catholic First Things in the United States," Mid-America: An Historical Review, vol. 21, Jan. 1939) who says mass was said here by a Jesuit in 1569. Marking as inferred first mass, though Dominicans probably said mass here in 1561 according to Garraghan.

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