About St. Anthony's
Our Mission
Welcoming all people to worship God in the genius of African American Catholic Spirituality that involve and inspire all Parishioners through the work of ministries to invest in our Parish.
Who We Are
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is a vibrant faith and diverse community which exist in the heart of the City of Greenville in South Carolina. There is no stranger at St. Anthony's, as the Church welcomes and celebrates all who walk in its door. Built on Faith, Charity and Compassion, there is a place for everyone to become part of the parish family.
Our History
In the mid-1930s, Fr. Sydney F. Dean, a diocesan priest assigned as an associate pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenville, felt called to evangelize African Americans. The first work was done with the Sisters of Mercy of St. Mary’s convent. On September 24, 1934, Fr. Dean organized the St. Peter Claver Society. The first members of the society were baptized in May 1935. Most of the members, however, worked in St. Francis Hospital, which made it more convenient for the group to meet in the chapel of the hospital.