MORNING HEADLINES | Dom Gerard Jonas Palmares is the new abbot of Mepkin Abbey following a Jan. 15 election for a six-year term as leader of the community of Catholic monks who live near Moncks Corner.
Palmares succeeds Father Joseph A. Tedesco, who had served as Mepkin Abbey’s superior for seven years.
Before joining the monastic community, Palmares was a member of the presbyterium of the Archdiocese of Lipa, Philippines. He was not available for comment.
During his tenure, Tedesco said he “tried to deepen our commitment to our life (to) solidify the community as a true monastic community.”
Tedesco said he oversaw improvements to the buildings at Mepkin “so we can be ready for more monks to be here.”
Thirteen monks live at Mepkin, said Tedesco.
For the last three years, Tedesco managed the construction of a Meditation Garden that opened in April 2025. He will serve as director of the Mepkin’s retreat center.
When Tedesco arrived 18 years ago at Mepkin from Trenton, N.J. , about 30 monks lived in the community.
Mepkin was established in 1949 at the former Mepkin Plantation along the Cooper River in Berkeley County.
Following the Rule of Saint Benedict, the monks at Mepkin devote their lives to prayer, spiritual study, work and hospitality. —Herb Frazier
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In today’s issue of the Charleston City Paper
CP OPINION: Let’s be realistic on affordable housing. “Building 3,500 units over the next seven years has a number of challenges — beyond the glut of potentially unattractive blocks of buildings like those along Morrison Drive.”
CP CARTOON:
CP FEATURE: Charleston waters are a treasure trove of fossilized shark teeth. It’s difficult to get some local shark fossil hunters to talk about the hobby since a diver’s favorite spots are often their best-kept secrets. Part of the reason to keep your spots to yourself is the joy of having your own private areas for treasure hunting.
CP NEWS: Missing shrimp from Magwood statue returned. Mount Pleasant resident Tressy Mellichamp cried tears of joy Monday morning when she learned somebody returned 10 pounds of sculpted bronze shrimp ripped from a life-sized bronze Shem Creek statue of her father, the late Capt. Wayne Magwood.
CP NEWS: Charleston Comedy Week features Holmes, Papa, Ms. Pat. About 30 comedians will perform in five different venues around the city through Jan. 31: The Music Hall, Wit’s End, Silver Hill Studio, the Riviera Theater and Theatre 99. But the main stage is at the Music Hall, and there are some heavy hitters scheduled.
CP FOOD: The Archer finds a home in Charleston. The Archer’s website states the restaurant’s “philosophy is simple: all bullseye, no BS.” And it practices what it preaches. Since opening in August 2024, this American tavern has amassed a legion of fans among locals, visitors and Charleston food and beverage pros.
CP ART, Review: A dying egomaniac, Nobel Prize and AI walk into PURE Theatre.McNeal, written by acclaimed playwright Ayad Akhtar is now primed for a riveting run at Cannon Street Arts Center, via PURE Theatre’s well-paced new production that is its U.S. regional premiere.
CP MUSIC: SUSTO Stringband to play acoustic favorites Jan. 28. Charleston’s own Justin Osborne, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for the band SUSTO, will show off his new sound on Jan. 28 at the Music Farm.
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