But God had other ideas. He put determined believers in place, and they created Christ on Main in the center of Greenville, literally at 14 S. Main Street.

“It was a big pie-in-the-sky idea,” said Mary Dudley. She’s still amazed as she watches it evolve. “God is up to something in the Upstate.”

And he has quite the sense of humor, too. The site once housed a popular moonshine and whiskey distillery. 

People no longer go there to drink their troubles away, but to praise God and learn more about the Catholic faith.

Linda Cowert was one of the founding board members of Christ on Main, and she said the concept began to take shape in 2019, received its 501(c)3 status in April 2021, settled on the old distillery site in June 2023, and held its grand opening on June 4, 2024, with a special blessing from Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS.

Christ on Main has blossomed since then. It welcomes everyone: those who don’t believe, those with doubts about God, those wishing to strengthen their faith, and those searching for their heavenly Father.

MARDI GRAS - Shrove Tuesday

To celebrate their achievement, folks at Christ on Main threw a Mardi Gras blowout in appreciation for all donors, benefactors, workers and volunteers who have made this Christian center a go-to place in Greenville.

Bishop Fabre sent an inspiring video that focused on Lent, reconciliation and how to prepare for the Risen Christ at Easter.

“Reconciliation, confession is to make a decision to turn around … going back to that relationship of love and peace with Jesus and of course with the Father,” he said in the video.

David Alvis was there, and he appreciated the bishop’s focus on turning back to Jesus. He said Shrove Tuesday traditionally is known as Fat Tuesday “because it gets all the fat out of your house so that you can have a lean Lent.”

And Christ on Main helps cut away that fat that blocks out Jesus, while providing events and programs pointing to Christ. It’s kind of like John the Baptist preparing a way in the wilderness for the Lord.

Alvis, as events coordinator, helps prepare that way at Christ on Main.

“We have speakers that address very important topics for Catholics, ranging from political issues, social issues, medical issues and philosophical issues throughout the year,” Alvis said.

He also spearheads the Culture and Arts Committee that offers “really robust programs.” The speakers and the cultural events have “brought a lot of people in to our center,” Alvis said. “It helps to inform people more deeply about how their Catholic faith can help them navigate complicated and controversial issues in their life.”

These events have bolstered this downtown hub; so have the opportunities to shop. The center offers rosaries, medals, sacramentals, Bibles, gift cards, crucifixes, crosses and creches, Cowart said. 

She added that she's proud of their reading material, including books by local authors, because it prompts discussions and builds fellowship. Cowart said they provide space for prayer and for Bible studies.

ON OFFER

It’s all part of Christ on Main’s vision to reach out to all people, and Executive Director Charlie Bathon could not be happier. He called Shrove Tuesday’s appreciation day “absolutely amazing,” with 150-190 people coming in to celebrate.

“Today is all about the appreciation of our volunteers — passionate Catholic people who have come together to make this center a reality,” Bathon said.

Jerry and Kathy Schiffer were there. Jerry is a deacon and Kathy is a writer. They hail from Our Lady of the Rosary Church, and they love hanging out at Christ on Main. Deacon Jerry appreciates the fellowship, and Kathy is drawn to the books.

“They have books by local Catholics that teach the faith in a strong way,” Kathy said.

Meanwhile, Deacon Jerry enjoys the get-togethers. “Our Catholic faith is all about relationship … with God and with each other.”

Bennett Duncan and his dad, Father Jonathan Duncan*, can relate. Bennett said he is giving up YouTube for Lent, and he also plans to do a complete fast on Fridays. “If I can’t have meat, I’m not going to have anything,” he said.

Father Duncan, parochial vicar of St. Mary Church and a chaplain to Furman Universtiy, said he is adding to his Lenten journey by tackling deeper spiritual reading.

“As a priest … I need to be immersing myself in the spiritual wisdom of others,” he said.

They both see Christ on Main as a haven for evangelizing.

Bennett said he began working in the gift shop at Christ on Main this past June. It’s the perfect place to start a conversation about God and bring people along one gift at a time.

Father Duncan, meanwhile, is looking forward to presenting a four-week program on sacred music at Christ on Main in the fall, bringing people along, one holy song at a time.

NEUTRAL SPACE

Some folks wouldn’t think of the Shrove Tuesday menu as an evangelizing force, but it brought a lot of people in. The red beans and rice, chicken gumbo — and, of course, King Cake for dessert — were just too tempting.

It helps the overall goal of Christ on Main: bringing people in and letting the Holy Spirit work.

Father Justin Damask, parochial vicar of Greenville's St. Mary Church, said it best about the seed in the heart of downtown Greenville: “People who would never walk into a Catholic church can walk into a more neutral space, yet a space that’s still very much directed toward God … and trying to help people understand just a little bit more about Catholicism.”

This strong seed, planted by God, has taken root.

*Father Jonathan Duncan was an Anglican priest who came home to the Catholic Church with his family.