Where We Worship
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church
Address: 4921 Columbia Road, Grovetown, GA 30813
Telephone: (706) 863-4956
Affiliation: Roman Catholic
Web site: www.st-teresa.com
Services: Weekend Mass schedule is: Saturday Vigil Mass 5:30 p.m.; Sunday Masses at 8 and 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; nursery is available at the Saturday Vigil and the 9:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Masses; daily Mass is at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday; Holy Day Masses are at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; the Sacrament of Reconciliation is on Saturdays from 4:30-5:15 p.m. and by appointment; Faith Formation is September through May for kindergarten through eighth grade: Sunday 10:45 a.m. to noon and Wednesday 6-7:45 p.m., and sixth grade to college: Sunday 6:45-8 p.m.; RCIA and RCIC information classes about the Church are held for Catholics and non-Catholics adult/children from September through May; Mothers Day Out Program for ages 1-4 Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., follows the Columbia County school calendar and church holidays.
Pastor: The Rev. Thomas J. Peyton
Congregation size: 1,466 families
Membership: Columbia and Richmond counties
Founded: Bishop Gerald Frey established St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church and parish Sept. 3, 1968. The first Mass was celebrated Sept. 29, 1968, in a house at 3327 Crane Ferry Road, about two blocks from the former parish church at 117 Pleasant Home Road. The parish moved, and Bishop J. Kevin Boland dedicated the new facilities Sept. 18, 2005.
Known for: "Its sense of community, even though it is a large congregation," Peyton said.
Music: Organ, piano, guitars, bass, flutes, drums and, occasionally, other percussion.
What would you say to someone who's thinking about giving your church a try? "Ministry is the universal call of the baptized; come and share your time, talent and treasure with us and the community at large," Peyton said.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the faithful today? "A general apathy in respecting all stages of human life," Peyton said.