In 1950, Father John Lawrence McLaughlin, pastor of Stella Maris Parish on Sullivan's Island, responded to a growing concern from his parishioners for Catholic education east of the Cooper River.

For the teaching staff he turned to the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy in Charleston, and together they began Stella Maris School with 54 students in the kindergarten, first, and second grades.

[1] The original classrooms were in space loaned to McLaughlin from Fort Moultrie, but as early as 1953, with the school having grown to accommodate grades K through 6, it was clear that much more room would be needed.

The parishioners began a capital campaign and the cornerstone for a new building was laid that same year on Russell Drive in Mount Pleasant.

In 1996 the original building was renovated to the same modern standard, and the overall result was a two-story structure housing three classrooms each for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade with networked computer workstations and internet access.

Christ Our King-Stella Maris School offers a curriculum based on the subject and grade-level standards of the Diocese of Charleston.

In addition, middle school students have the option of taking Advanced Choir, Studio Art, or Physical Education, twice a week, where they learn complex skills that they would not get from a once-a-week course.