Basilica of St. Peter, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
The Basilica of St. Peter, also called St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, stands at 1529 Assembly Street in Columbia, South Carolina. It serves as the second building for the oldest Catholic parish in Columbia and the Midlands. On June 24, 2018, the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted St. Peter’s the title of ‘Minor Basilica.’ Therefore, this honor makes it the first basilica in South Carolina.
Catholic life in Columbia started much earlier. Indeed, the first resident Catholic priest arrived in 1820. Just four years later, the parish completed its first church. Robert Mills, a famous South Carolina architect, designed it. However, the congregation outgrew this building. Thus, they demolished it in the early 1900s to make way for a new sanctuary.
The new church design came from Frank Pierce Milburn, a respected Southern architect. Meanwhile, Father Thomas J. Hegarty led the planning and fundraising efforts. Construction began in 1906 and finished in 1908. Then, the church held its dedication ceremony in January 1909. This Gothic Revival building features dark red brick with Bedford limestone and dull glazed terra cotta trim. In addition, the roof uses Buckingham Slate. Above the roof, the spire rises 163 feet and is topped by a cross.
The church has a cruciform layout and a high nave. It measures 131 feet long and 79 feet wide. Specifically, the nave itself is 64 feet long and 51 feet tall. A massive bell weighs 3,500 pounds and measures 55 inches in diameter. In fact, the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore cast it in 1911. Behind the church, the graveyard holds the memories of many past parishioners.
Overall, St. Peter’s stands as a beacon of faith and history in Columbia. Consequently, it connects past, present, and future generations.
Connectivity of Basilica of St. Peter, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
Airways
The nearest airport is Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the basilica. It offers domestic flights connecting to major U.S. hubs. From the airport, visitors can take taxis, rideshares (Uber/Lyft), or rental cars to the basilica.
Railways
The nearest Amtrak railway station is Columbia Amtrak Station, approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the basilica. It is served by the Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes, connecting New York, Washington D.C., and Miami. Visitors can reach the basilica from the station via taxi or local transit.
Roadways
Columbia is accessible via Interstate 26, Interstate 20, and U.S. Route 1. The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (COMET) operates bus services throughout Columbia, with routes stopping near the basilica. Intercity bus services such as Greyhound also operate from downtown Columbia.
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