St Frederick & St Stephen Catholic Church

Client: Diocese of Charleston

Size: 5,000 sf

Location: Edisto, SC

Glick/Boehm & Associates was responsible for the new Master Plan for the Catholic Parish of St. Frederick & St. Stephen, which included a new Church, renovated Parish Hall, parking, meditation pond, and cemetery, on 5 acres of wooded, Edisto Island property.  GBA then designed the new 5,000 sf Church which will seat 250.

The Site Plan places the church on the higher ground of the site, tucked into the trees, with a wonderful relationship to the wetlands area. This allows the 50 space parking area to be located between the new church and the Parish hall to serve both buildings.  A driveway/drop off circle then creates a “Parish Lawn” in front of the church.   The Floor Plan is a very tradition axial layout with pew seating, transepts and a Narthex.  The baptismal font is on the central axis with natural light above from a functional steeple element.  The transepts are designed for future expansion for another 150 seats.

To keep with the charge of the Parish that the Church fit in with the surrounding Sea Island character, the visual mass of the nave is reduced by adding a smaller mass containing the Narthex in front. The facades of the Church are balanced and symmetrical to enhance the traditional feel. Materials include cement lap siding, and a metal roof.