Blessing of the River and Memorial Service

St. Mary’s Chapel, an Orthodox Anglican Mission in Laurens County, in partnership with the Town of Ware Shoals, will host a Blessing of the River and Memorial Service on Sunday, May 25 at 5:00 p.m. at Irvin Pitts Park (2283 Power House Rd, Ware Shoals, SC).

The community is invited to attend this solemn and meaningful event along the banks of the Saluda River. The service will begin with the Blessing of the River, a time-honored tradition symbolizing reverence for God’s creation and prayers for the safety of those who visit and enjoy the water.

Following the blessing, a memorial service will be held to honor and remember approximately 31 individuals who have lost their lives to the river since 1907. Their names and stories, where known, will be lifted in prayer as the community pauses to reflect and pay tribute.

“The blessing of a river is an ancient practice of the early church that remembers Christ’s sanctification of the Jordan through His baptism, when the blessed Trinity was manifested to the peoples, and it calls to mind our own baptism in the Faith,” said Rev. Travis Gosnell of St. Mary’s Chapel. “In conjunction with the blessing, we want to remember those that have perished in the waters of the Saluda and to remember that although the park is a beautiful place for families to enjoy, it must be respected for what it is- a powerful display of God’s power.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and to arrive early for parking and seating. The event is free and open to the public.