About Us

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

+ WHO WAS SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES?

Saint Martin de Porres (1579–1639) was a humble Dominican lay brother from Lima, Peru, renowned for his charity, healing, and care for the poor, the sick, and even animals. Born of mixed race in a time of discrimination, he became a model of humility and a champion of racial harmony. Canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962, he is the patron saint of social justice, public health workers, and people of all races.

+ TIMELINE

- December 9, 1579 – Born in Lima, Peru, to Don Juan de Porres, a Spanish nobleman, and Ana Velásquez, a freed African woman. Baptized the same day.
- 1591 – At age 12, apprenticed to a barber-surgeon, learning medicine and care for the sick.
- 1594 – Joins the Dominican Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lima as a lay helper, performing the humblest tasks.
- 1603 – Professes vows as a Dominican lay brother despite racial restrictions of the time.
- Early 1600s – Oversees the convent infirmary, opens an orphanage and a children’s hospital, ministers to the poor and marginalized of all races.
- November 3, 1639 – Dies in Lima at age 59, widely venerated for holiness and miracles.
- October 29, 1837 – Beatified by Pope Gregory XVI.
- May 6, 1962 – Canonized by Pope John XXIII.

+ BIOGRAPHY

Feast Day – November 3.

Saint Martin de Porres

-Pray for us-

Saint Martin de Porres was born on December 9, 1579, in Lima, Peru, the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed African woman. From childhood, Martin experienced poverty and racial prejudice, which deepened his compassion for the suffering. At the age of 12, he became an apprentice to a barber-surgeon, gaining skill in medicine and care for the sick. In 1594, he entered the Dominican Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lima as a lay helper, embracing humble duties with joy.

Despite racial restrictions, Martin was later allowed to profess vows as a lay brother. He devoted his life to serving the poor, the sick, and the abandoned. He founded an orphanage and a children’s hospital, cared for enslaved people, and ministered to the marginalized regardless of race or status. Known for miraculous healings, bilocation, and even communicating with animals, Martin became a figure of hope and reconciliation.

Martin died on November 3, 1639. His body was later found incorrupt, and devotion to him grew rapidly. He was beatified in 1837 and canonized in 1962. Today, Saint Martin de Porres is remembered as a model of humility, mercy, and unity, and his feast day is celebrated on November 3.

Our Story

. . . On December 15, 1935, the present-day St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church was formed officially when the Most Reverend Emmet Walsh, Bishop of Charleston, celebrated the dedication Mass. The original church was founded as Blessed Martin de Porres Mission for Colored Catholics. This church building is on the corner of Hampton and Oak Streets in the Historic Waverly Community of Columbia, South Carolina,

was a large white three-story Antebellum house. This house was converted into a church, parish school, and rectory. There were also activity rooms in the basement.

The Blessed Martin de Porres Mission was founded upon the request of African American Catholics in Columbia, SC. Bishop Walsh contacted the Dominican Friars in New York to see if they'd be willing to minister to this newly formed mission. They responded by sending Father Thomas Weiland, OP, as the first priest. Not long after the dedication of the church, the parish school was established in 1936.

The Blessed Martin de Porres Mission was founded upon the request of African American Catholics in Columbia, SC. Bishop Walsh contacted the Dominican Friars in New York to see if they would be willing to minister to this newly formed mission. They responded by sending Father Thomas Weiland, OP, as the first priest. Not long after the dedication of the church, the parish school was established in 1936.

Many priests followed after Fr. Weiland, but it was in 1953 when Fr. O.T. Carl, OP, arrived that a building boom truly began. Fr. Carl built a new church, convent, and under his leadership, a new school building opened its doors on September 13, 1954. On April 20, 2007, Bishop Robert Baker dedicated the new St. Martin de Porres Church (see home page photo), which was built under the leadership of Fr. Paul Williams, OFM. Fr. Paul also purchased a new rectory in which to house the priests. The church has plans for the construction of a new parish school in the near future.

In 1997, the Dominican friars left the parish with Fr. Bruce Schultz, OP, who was the last of a long line of those religious priests and brothers. The parish was blessed to have permanent deacons, Roland Thomas, Albert Freeman, James Hardy, and Wilbur Coleman (all deceased). The parish then became a diocesan parish. Subsequently, the parish was under the spiritual leadership of Fr. Paul Williams assisted by Br. Henry

Fulmer, of the Franciscans of the Order of Friars Minor of Holy Name Province (New York City, NY). Currently, Fr. Michael Okere is the priest and Parish Administrator assisted by the deacons - Deacon Carl Johnson (ordained May 19, 2007) and Deacon Leland Cave (ordained on January 30, 2016).

Some of the organizations within the parish include the Parish Pastoral Council, Legion of Mary, Rosary Altar Society, Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, Knights of Columbus, Youth Group, Religious Education teachers, Ministers of Holy Communion, Mass Lectors, Choir Members, Ushers, Maintenance and Grounds Volunteers, Soup Kitchen Volunteers, and various other social and administrative committees.

Our Parish was named in honor of a Dominican lay-brother, Martin de Porres, from Lima, Peru. Br. Martin was the son of an African slave mother and a Spaniard. Although Br. Martin could have chosen a wealthy man's life, instead, he chose a humble life of caring for others. We at St. Martin de Porres Church are trying to live in accordance with his legacy by welcoming all people, regardless of race or economic status.