Cathedral Hall Academy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse at Myrtle Beach Christian School

At Injury Lawyer Team, we stand with survivors of Cathedral Hall Academy sexual abuse and other cases of misconduct in private Christian schools. Recent lawsuits have revealed disturbing allegations of sexual advances, predatory conduct, and failures to protect students within institutions tied to the academy and its affiliated ministries.

Our firm has extensive experience pursuing sexual abuse lawsuits against schools, churches, and religious organizations that allowed abuse to occur. We know how devastating it is when a place that promised faith-based education and a nurturing environment becomes the setting for harm. 

Through civil action, survivors can hold leaders accountable and recover financial compensation to support healing.

Allegations Against Cathedral Hall Academy

Cathedral Hall Academy was a private Christian school in Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina, closely tied to Cathedral Baptist Church, All Nations Cathedral Church, and Solid Rock Church in The Market Common. 

Survivors describe it as a so-called faith-based education program that promised a nurturing environment but instead fostered abuse. According to recent lawsuits, the school operated out of a repurposed bowling alley with no certified teachers, no legitimate coursework, and little more than structured academics in name only.

Although once presented as a “Christian school” alternative for families, the complaints argue Cathedral Hall was never a legitimate educational institution. Today, the facility is no longer in operation, but its name lives on in the accounts of survivors bringing sexual abuse lawsuits against schools and ministries in Myrtle Beach.

Jane Doe Claims She Was Sexually Assaulted by John Paul Miller

In February 2025, the first lawsuit was filed in Horry County Circuit Court by a survivor identified as Jane Doe. She alleges that in 1998, when she was a 15 years old girl, she was sexually assaulted by John Paul (“JP”) Miller, who was then 19. One assault allegedly took place inside Reginald Wayne Miller’s office, while another occurred at Cathedral Baptist Church.

The lawsuit states that Jane Doe later encountered John Paul Miller in 2023, when he made further unwanted sexual contact. The case names John Paul Miller, his father, Pastor Wayne Miller (Reginald Wayne Miller), Cathedral Baptist Church of the Grand Strand, All Nations Cathedral Church, and Solid Rock Ministries as defendants.

According to the complaint, the church community turned a blind eye to misconduct, enabling what the lawsuit describes as “predatory conduct” and sexual impropriety for decades. Affidavits from both John Paul Miller’s ex-wife and Reginald Wayne Miller’s ex-wife allege that leaders were fully aware of this behavior yet failed to intervene.

Mica Miller, the estranged wife of John-Paul Miller, died by suicide in April 2024 at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, North Carolina.

Second Lawsuit Filed Against Myrtle Beach Pastor, JP Miller

Just a few weeks later, in March 2025, a second Jane Doe came forward with a lawsuit describing abuse at Cathedral Hall between 1999 and 2001, when she was a 14-year-old student. The complaint alleges she was sexually assaulted by John Paul Miller, who was supposedly the teacher and music leader at the school.

The lawsuit alleges that Reginald Wayne Miller and his son JP ran the facility without licensed teachers, exposing students to sexual misconduct, physical assaults, and emotional manipulation. The plaintiff recounts being punished after reporting John Paul Miller’s behavior: Pastor Wayne allegedly forced her to write “I will not lie about John Paul Miller” 5,000 times while John Paul stood beside her.

Other disturbing allegations include:

• Being disciplined for carrying a Harry Potter book, told she would be “raped by demons,” and physically assaulted with a Bible.
• Set the book on fire and poured water over her head while Wayne invoked the Lord’s work as justification.
• Students physically attacking her: her shirt was ripped open, they stuffed tissues into her bra, and allegedly sprayed bug spray on her skin.

The second lawsuit paints a picture of an environment where sexual impropriety and physical assaults were tolerated and excused under religious authority.

Reginald Wayne Miller’s Part in the Abuse

Both lawsuits emphasize the central role of Reginald Wayne Miller, also known as Pastor Wayne, in fostering an environment of abuse. He is accused of protecting his son, retaliating against victims, and covering up allegations within the church and school.

The complaints reference a 1989 news investigation, where young men (shown with blurred faces and disguised voices) described Pastor Wayne’s alleged sexual advances. They also cite his 2006 arrest for solicitation, adding to the long history of accusations.

Separate from the sexual abuse lawsuits, Wayne Miller also pleaded guilty in 2014 to federal labor fraud charges involving Cathedral Bible College, where international students were exploited and underpaid. While that conviction was not related to abuse, it underscored his reputation as an embattled Myrtle Beach pastor who repeatedly abused positions of trust.

Current Status of the Cases

As of October 2025, at least two Jane Doe plaintiffs have filed civil suits in Horry County. Both remain pending, with no reported settlements. The lawsuits highlight decades of abuse allegations against South Carolina clergy connected to Cathedral Hall, Cathedral Baptist, and Solid Rock Church. 

Survivors accuse the Millers and their ministries of turning Myrtle Beach’s so-called faith-based schools ran by devout men into places where sexual abuse and predatory behavior thrived unchecked.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Involving Cathedral Hall?

When survivors file sexual abuse lawsuits against schools like Cathedral Hall, they can pursue claims against the direct abusers as well as the institutions and leaders who enabled the misconduct. The current lawsuits name the following individuals and entities as responsible for fostering or failing to prevent abuse:

• John Paul Miller – Alleged perpetrator of sexual assaults at Cathedral Church and Cathedral Hall.
• Reginald Wayne Miller – Father of JP Miller, senior church leader, and alleged enabler who punished victims instead of protecting them.
• Cathedral Hall Academy – The private school described in lawsuits as a repurposed bowling alley with no certified teachers or legitimate coursework.
• Cathedral Baptist Church of the Grand Strand – A church linked to Wayne Miller’s ministry and identified in complaints as part of the cover-up.
• All Nations Cathedral Church – Another affiliated religious entity named as a defendant in the civil suits.
• Solid Rock Church – Ministry cited in the lawsuits for its role in providing Wayne and JP Miller with unchecked authority.

What Laws Govern School Sexual Misconduct in South Carolina?

At Injury Lawyer Team, we help survivors understand the laws that apply to sexual abuse lawsuits against schools in South Carolina. Several state statutes are especially important when abuse takes place in a setting like Cathedral Hall or other private schools:

• South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 16, Chapter 3 – This chapter defines criminal sexual conduct offenses, including sexual battery against minors, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, and related crimes. These statutes form the criminal foundation for prosecuting abusers such as teachers, staff, or clergy who exploit children.
• S.C. Code Ann. §63-7-310 (Children’s Code – Mandatory Reporters) – This law requires teachers, counselors, physicians, residential care staff, and other professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect. If school staff or administrators at Cathedral Hall ignored or failed to act on reports of sexual misconduct, they may have violated this duty and exposed the school and its leaders to civil liability.

What Damages Can Victims Recover?

When survivors bring forward sexual abuse allegations against South Carolina clergy and schools, the civil justice system allows them to pursue financial compensation that goes beyond what criminal prosecution can provide. We focus on securing damages that help survivors rebuild their lives and hold wrongdoers accountable.

Victims of sexual abuse in schools may be entitled to recover:

• Medical expenses – Costs for emergency treatment, ongoing care, therapy, and medications related to the trauma of abuse.
• Counseling and mental health support – Compensation for therapy, psychiatric care, and long-term psychological treatment for PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity – Lost wages, as well as future earnings impacted by the long-term effects of abuse.
• Pain and suffering – Damages for the physical and emotional harm caused by sexual harrassment, including lasting trauma.
• Punitive damages – In cases involving egregious misconduct by clergy, schools, or ministries, courts may award additional damages to punish wrongdoers and deter future abuse.

How Long Do Survivors Have to Take Legal Action?

South Carolina law sets specific deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, for filing civil claims in cases of sexual abuse. At Injury Lawyer Team, we make sure our clients understand these timeframes so they don’t miss the opportunity to seek justice through the courts.

• Child Survivors (S.C. Code Ann. §15-3-555): Individuals who were abused as children may file a lawsuit until they reach age 27, or within six years of discovering the abuse and its effects, whichever period is later. This allows survivors time to process what happened and connect the abuse to the harm they suffered.
• Adult Victims (S.C. Code Ann. §15-3-530): Adults who suffer sexual assault generally have three years from the date of the act, or from the date they reasonably discovered the harm, to bring a civil claim. In some cases, the deadline may be tolled (paused) if the victim was under duress, misled, or prevented from filing sooner.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent survivors in sexual abuse lawsuits against schools, churches, and clergy. We know how devastating it is when trusted leaders, whether teachers, pastors, or priests, commit abuse and institutions cover it up.

Our services include:

• Investigating schools, churches, and ministries for evidence of wrongdoing.
• Providing trauma-informed advocacy so survivors feel supported.
• Filing and litigating sexual abuse lawsuits against priests, pastors, and school officials.
• Negotiating settlements or taking cases to trial for maximum compensation.

Book a Free Consultation

We offer every survivor a free, confidential consultation to discuss potential sexual abuse lawsuits against schools, churches, or clergy. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you. Contact us today to learn about your options and take the first step toward justice.