Chester Michael Moczydlowski was born in 1946 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Chester S. and Sophie R. Dragan Moczydlowski. He attended college at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, and seminary at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland. He was ordained a priest in May 1973 by Bishop Lawrence B. Casey for the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey.

Between 1973 and 1991, Moczydlowski served various assignments in New Jersey in Parsippany, Madison, Wayne, Hawthorne and Convent Station. He also served in diocesan leadership roles like the Priests’ Senate, Liturgical Commission, Vocations Board and Youth Council.

He was incardinated into the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina, in September 1994. From 1991 to 2016, Msgr. Moczydlowski served at these South Carolina parishes: Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston; St. James the Younger in Conway; Prince of Peace in Taylors; St. Andrew in Myrtle Beach; St. Benedict in Mt. Pleasant; and St. John the Beloved in Summerville.

He retired from active ministry in December 2016 and remained a priest in residence at St. John the Beloved.

For the Diocese of Charleston, Moczydlowski served in various roles, including dean of the Pee Dee and Piedmont Deaneries, member of the Presbyteral Council and Diocesan Personnel Committee, President of the Priests’ Association, At-Large Representative for the Presbytery, and from 2010 to 2018, he was the Diocesan Representative to the National Federation of Priests’ Councils.

Msgr. Moczydlowski spearheaded many projects, including the school, rectory, parish center and church at St. James in Conway; the parish and parish center at Church of the Resurrection in Loris; the activities center/gymnasium and church renovation at Prince of Peace in Taylors; and a new church for St. Benedict in Mount Pleasant.

Msgr. Moczydlowski celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood at St. John the Beloved in May of 2023.

A vigil with reception of the body will be held July 23, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated July 24 at 11:00 a.m. Both will be at St. John the Beloved, 28 Sumter Ave in Summerville.

Msgr. Moczydlowski is survived by his sister, Susan Hanson, and the may parishioners and families whom he served throughout his lifetime.