History of Catholic Church of the Resurrection

Mission of Our Lady Star of the Sea, North Myrtle Beach

Founded 1975

Newlywed Betty King was the first Catholic in the Loris area in the early 1940’s, raising a large family there.  After going to Mass first in Tabor City, then in Conway, the by-now eight Catholic families rejoiced in the first Loris Mass on Christmas Eve, 1975, celebrated by Fr. Henry Burke. A borrowed tiny concrete block building was home in the 1980’s, then ceased for two years. New pastor Father Chet Moczydlowski and Loris Catholics resumed Mass in late 1991, first in homes, then in a refurbished former Kingdom Hall.  Most appropriately, it was named the Catholic Church of the Resurrection.

The community grew slowly, enjoying worship, religious formation, and fellowship through pot lucks, the Ladies Guild and its events, etc.

After Father ’Rick LaBrecque became pastor in 1995, a Mass was added for the growing Spanish speaking population. The community, despite limited resources, came together under the leadership of Jim Treselt to plan for a new church to more adequately serve the growing community.  The first Mass in the beautiful 350 seat Church was celebrated by all together on Easter Sunday in 2005. Bishop Robert Baker dedicated it in June of that year. Efforts began in 2008 to add a social hall with class and meeting room facilities as well.

Retreats, Masses and social events build unity and identify across lingual and cultural differences.  Members seek to be authentic witnesses to Christ and the Church in this corner of the vineyard where Catholics are so few. All are welcomed.                                                                ~ Catholic Diocese of Charleston, A History

Under Father ’Rick’s leadership and the fundraising efforts of all in our parish community, the church mortgage was paid off early and efforts began to plan for a parish hall.  Following Father ’Rick’s retirement in July of 2011, the Bishop reassigned our mission parish from St. James in Conway to Our Lady Star of the Sea in North Myrtle Beach under Father D. Anthony Droze.  With slow but steady growth, a renewed desire to build a parish hall, and increased efforts to raise the funds necessary, we saw our goal come to fruition in April 2017.

In June 2018, we welcomed Father Ray Leonard following Father Droze's appointment as Vicar General for the Diocese.