Commissioned by Bakhita Arts, the mural celebrates the church’s beginnings in the mid-1940s, then soars through its years of growth to aim for the future. The colors tell the story — gold for spiritual enlightenment, red for sacrifice and courage, green for joy and harmony, blue for peace and trust.

St. Mary was founded in 1945 by Father Ed Wahl, CO, of the Rock Hill Oratory. He sought to bring equality and Catholicism to the Black communities there. With just five registered Catholics, he built a church and a recreation center that became a hub for teens. It offered basketball and ping pong, movie nights and clubs that taught sportsmanship, etiquette and money skills.

Church leadership would change over the years, and additional Oratorians — Father Henry Tevlin and later Brother David Boone — oversaw tremendous outreach in the ’50s and ’60s. They created a credit union and supported children from St. Mary’s who integrated St. Anne School — also in Rock Hill — the first integrated school in this state. Oratorians also helped organize a bus boycott, supported students at downtown lunch counter sit-ins and created the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen in 1986.

Today, the original church is the daily chapel, and the former rec center is the fellowship hall.

John Gist, a parishioner who served on the Mural Committee, said it was important to honor and commemorate those early days with something substantial and meaningful. The parish wants to ensure that newcomers and the public remember this history.

“St. Mary inspired so many in the community,” he said. “If we don’t tell the stories then the history will be lost.”

It didn’t take committee members long to commission artist Alex Patterson of Fort Mill, who painted the 7.5’ x 13.5’ mural in an entrance by the soup kitchen. They praised her efforts to research church history and seek input before starting sketches. “This mural was created for the community, and it was a community effort to complete it,” Patterson said.

The muralist ensured paint and supplies were purchased from local businesses, and she hired local artists Amanda Nadarewistsch and Adam Seats. She even invited two clients of the soup kitchen to paint. “It’s been an honor to tell the amazing story of St. Mary Catholic Church,” she said. “I have loved being a part of this family.”

Patterson has painted since childhood, but began professional painting in 2019. She has grown her business into a full-time career, completing public and private work in both of the Carolinas and New York. Patterson is also an award-winning photographer; her most notable work includes her murals and large linoleum prints.

The actual painting took three weeks, beginning with a wall grid and chalk outline. Most of the design was applied with layers of aerosol spray. Detail work — like names of the founding clergy and original parishioners — were done by hand. It took a week for the paint to cure before protective sealant was applied.

Commissioned to enhance the building’s entrance, the mural complements a gallery in the main hallway featuring religious art and prints, plus pencil drawings by Gene Merritt, an accomplished, self-taught artist who often relied on social services.

It was Merritt’s work that inspired Oratorian Father Agustin Guzman, St. Mary’s pastor, to offer a venue for new and inspirational artists. His call prompted the creation of Bakhita Arts, a pop-up gallery primarily for emerging and unexposed artists.

Named after St. Josephine Bakhita of Sudan, the arts group conducts free events that range from art, pottery and photo shows to music groups and discussions on a variety of topics. They partner with Afternoon of Poetry and Prose, a community group that features poets and writers meeting on the second Sunday each month from August to April.

“The activity at Bakhita Arts brings in local artists,” said Guzman, adding the church plans to host Rock Hill Theater productions this fall. “We’re adding several dimensions to enhance the art experience.”

The mural, named “In One Spirit,” is a tribute to the church and its hospitality. It is also a testament to the struggles and contributions made by the founders and those early members. It looks to the possibilities of the future — especially in the hands of God.

“Beauty is a Catholic concept of virtue,” Father Guzman said. “It is a reflection of God’s goodness and presence in the world. That’s something to celebrate.”

For more information about Bakhita Arts and the mural, visit bakhitaarts.org. Afternoon of Poetry and Prose can be found on Facebook, and Alex Patterson can be reached at paintingsandmorebyalex@gmail.com.