History
Blessed Sacrament Parish was established in 1920 as Savannah’s growing population expanded beyond the city’s traditional boundaries. The Most Rev. Benjamin J. Keiley, 7th Bishop of Savannah, appointed a young Savannah native, Fr. Daniel J. McCarthy, as the parish’s first pastor. With approximately 100 Catholics living within the new parish boundaries, property was purchased at the corner of Waters Avenue and 44th Street, and construction of the first church began.

Despite limited financial resources, parishioners worked tirelessly to build their new church. The Women’s Auxiliary, founded on March 18, 1920, played a vital role in fundraising efforts. The original church, a white wooden structure seating 200 people, welcomed its first Mass on May 21, 1921, and was formally dedicated on July 10, 1921.

As the parish grew, a Sunday school was established in 1922, staffed by volunteers from the Women’s Auxiliary. Over the following decades, a succession of dedicated pastors guided the parish through periods of growth and change.

In 1939, Blessed Sacrament School was established under the leadership of Fr. James Conlin, with Sr. Stella Maris serving as principal. The school opened with 68 students and quickly became an important part of parish life.

By the early 1940s, the parish had outgrown its original church. Construction began on a combined church and school building in 1941. Despite wartime shortages, construction delays, and challenging soil conditions, parishioners persevered. The cornerstone was laid on July 19, 1942, and the new church-school building was dedicated on September 26, 1943.

Under the leadership of Fr. Thomas A. Brennan, later Monsignor Brennan, the parish continued to expand. A convent for the Sisters of Mercy was established in 1952, and in 1956 Blessed Sacrament became the first school in Savannah to be fully air-conditioned. Additional classrooms, an auditorium-gymnasium, and a new rectory were added during the 1950s and early 1960s to accommodate the growing parish and school community.

A significant milestone came on November 24, 1969, when parishioners celebrated the retirement of the parish debt. After nearly 50 years of construction and growth, Blessed Sacrament became debt-free for the first time in its history.

Throughout the years, Blessed Sacrament has been blessed with many faithful pastors, including Monsignor Andrew J. McDonald, who later became Bishop of Little Rock, and Fr. J. Kevin Boland, who would go on to serve as the 13th Bishop of Savannah.

In June 2013, Fr. Brett Brannen became pastor and launched the “Seeds of Change: Believe in Our Legacy” campaign. Through the generosity and vision of parishioners, new campus buildings were completed and dedicated in 2018, and improvements to the church campus continued with interior renovations beginning in 2019.

Fr. David Koetter became pastor on July 1, 2020. Under his leadership, Blessed Sacrament has continued to grow in faith, stewardship, and service. In 2025, the parish launched the Faithfully Forward capital campaign to support the renovation of the church and the continued revitalization of parish life.

On July 1, 2026, Fr. Brian O'Shaughnessy became pastor of Blessed Sacrament. 

Today, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church remains a vibrant community of faith, rooted in the Eucharist and committed to sharing Christ’s love. More than a century after its founding, the parish continues to build upon the faith, sacrifice, and dedication of the generations who came before us.