The Reverend H. Gregory West, JCL – Pastor
Father West was born in Charleston during the eye of a hurricane and was raised on Sullivan’s Island, where his family had been members of Stella Maris Parish for five generations. At age six, he was playing "Mass" with neighborhood children. He attended Stella Maris School, Mount Pleasant, from Kindergarten through eighth grade, and Bishop England High School in downtown Charleston.
He graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.A. in Urban Studies then worked in the maritime industry for six years before entering Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland, for five years of formation, from which he received a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Church History.
Father West was ordained priest of the Diocese of Charleston on July 6, 1991 by the late Most Reverend David B. Thompson, JCL. From 1993 to 1995, he was in law school at the Pontifical Gregorian University (founded by Saint Ignatius Loyola) in Rome from which he received a Licentiate (Pontifical Masters) in Canon Law magna cum laude. His past assignments include Parochial Vicar, The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Charleston; Founding Pastor, Saint Gregory the Great Parish and School, Bluffton; Pastor, Saint Andrew Parish, Clemson; Founding Pastor, Saint Paul the Apostle Parish, Seneca; Diocesan Chancellor; Diocesan Master of Ceremonies; Founding Dean, Lowcountry (now Beaufort) Deanery; and Co-Vicar for Priestly Vocations.
He holds the rank of Knight Commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, established in 1099 to guard Jerusalem, and is a chaplain to the Sovereign Order of Malta, a lay organization established in 1113 to provide humanitarian aid around the world.
Father West was named Founding Pastor of Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Daniel Island, by Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone in February 2014. He is a Judge in the Diocesan Tribunal, deciding marriage cases for Decrees of Nullity.
He has traveled to more than 30 countries, to 44 U.S. states, and has jumped out of perfectly good airplanes.
You may email Father West here.
Direct Phone: 843.471.2672
