In 1984, Bishop Ernest L. Unterkoefler purchased a tract of land less than a mile from the intersection of Woodruff Road and Highway 14.

After starting a Mission with the celebration of the first Mass on February 1, 1986, Religious Education classes were held. Twelve children enrolled in the program, which has now increased to an enrollment of over 400. Classes are held on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The first fund raising pledge drive for our original building was initiated in March 1989. Shortly before Christmas 1989, we were officially named St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. Groundbreaking was celebrated on July 22, 1990, the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, and construction began the following month.

In June 1987, Father Riplog assisted our mission until he received a reassignment in August 1988. Father Paul O’Toole was with us from that time until his death in May 1989. Father Fox arrived two months later, and in August 1990 was reassigned to Prince of Peace. Father Nicholas Bayard, pastor of Blessed Trinity Church in Greer, celebrated the two weekend Masses until March 1, 1991 when Father Herbert K. Conner, S.J. was appointed our first Pastor by the Most Reverend David B. Thompson, Bishop of Charleston.

Father Conner continued to offer two weekend Masses at Ebenezer Methodist Church until our building was completed at 2252 Woodruff Road.

When we took possession of the church we numbered 170 families. Currently we list more that 1050 families. In 1993 Father Conner commissioned a Long-Range Planning Committee to study the needs of the Parish. Influenced by the growth in families attending St. Mary Magdalene, the Committee recommended the Parish build a new Church facility. Groundbreaking on the new church took place in April 1997. The first phase of construction has resulted in a church with a seating capacity of approximately 700 seats.