Catholic Churches in Hilton Head
Hilton Head has two Catholic parishes: Holy Family near Coligny on the south end, and St. Francis by the Sea on the north end, with Mass every day at both.
The Catholic churches on Hilton Head Island are two parishes of the Diocese of Charleston, at opposite ends of the island. Holy Family is on Pope Avenue, a few minutes from Coligny Beach. St. Francis by the Sea is on Beach City Road at the north end. Both are used to vacationers: in summer and at Christmas and Easter, a good part of every Mass is visitors. Below are both parishes’ Mass and confession times side by side, which one is closer to where you are staying, and the Catholic church across the bridge in Bluffton.
The Two Catholic Churches on Hilton Head Island
The south-end parish on Pope Avenue, near Coligny and the Forest Beach rentals. Spanish Mass on Sundays. 24 Pope Avenue.
The north-end parish on Beach City Road, in the trees near the airport, with the most Masses on the island. 45 Beach City Road.
Catholic Mass Times on Hilton Head
These are the times each parish publishes on its own site. Both change their schedules for holy days, Christmas and Easter, and sometimes for the summer, so check the parish site before you go.
Holy Family (24 Pope Avenue)
Saturday vigil: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. in Spanish
Weekdays: Monday to Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
Adoration: Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
St. Francis by the Sea (45 Beach City Road)
Saturday vigil: 4:45 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. in Spanish
Sunday: 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 a.m., and 12:00 p.m.
Monday, Thursday and Friday: 8:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday: 8:30 and 11:30 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. in Spanish
Wednesday and Saturday: 8:30 a.m.
Between them there are seven Sunday Masses and two Saturday vigils, so a Sunday Mass on Hilton Head fits around a tee time or a beach morning. For a Mass in Spanish, Holy Family has one on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., and St. Francis has one on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
Confession Times
Holy Family: Monday to Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass, Saturday 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment at (843) 785-2895 ext. 220.
St. Francis by the Sea: 15 minutes before each daily Mass, and Saturday 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Which Parish Is Closer to Where You Are Staying
South end (Sea Pines, Forest Beach, Coligny, Palmetto Dunes): Holy Family on Pope Avenue is closer. From the Coligny area you can walk.
North end (Hilton Head Plantation, Port Royal, Indigo Run, Mid-Island): St. Francis by the Sea on Beach City Road is closer, near the airport.
Shelter Cove and the middle of the island: both are about the same drive, 10 to 15 minutes, so pick by the Mass time.
Parking: both parishes have their own lots. On summer and holiday Sundays the busiest Masses fill them, so arrive early.
Both parishes are a short drive from the other churches on Hilton Head, and Holy Family is next door to St. Andrew By-the-Sea United Methodist Church on Pope Avenue.
Catholic Church in Bluffton, SC
Across the bridges, the Catholic church in Bluffton, SC is St. Gregory the Great on St. Gregory Drive, off Fording Island Road (US 278). The parish also runs St. Andrew Chapel on State Road S-7-50. It is about 20 minutes from the north end of Hilton Head. Check the parish’s site or call for Mass times. The rest of the town’s churches are in our guide to churches in Bluffton, SC.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Catholic churches are on Hilton Head Island?
Two: Holy Family Catholic Church at 24 Pope Avenue on the south end, and St. Francis by the Sea at 45 Beach City Road on the north end.
What are the Sunday Mass times on Hilton Head?
Holy Family: Saturday vigil 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 8:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (Spanish). St. Francis by the Sea: Saturday vigil 4:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Spanish); Sunday 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Is there a Spanish Mass on Hilton Head Island?
Yes. Holy Family has a Spanish Mass on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., and St. Francis by the Sea has one on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
When is confession at the Hilton Head Catholic churches?
Both parishes hear confessions on Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. On weekdays, Holy Family hears them after the 8 a.m. Mass and St. Francis 15 minutes before each daily Mass.
Is there a Catholic church in Bluffton, SC?
Yes. St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church is at 31 St. Gregory Drive, Bluffton, and the parish also has St. Andrew Chapel on State Road S-7-50.
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