Church of the Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Church of the Cross
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 110 Calhoun St., Bluffton, South Carolina |
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| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Built | 1857 |
| Architect | White, Edward Brickell |
| Architectural style | Gothic, Carpenter Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001686 |
| Added to NRHP | May 29, 1975 |
The Church of the Cross is a beautiful old church located on Calhoun Street in Bluffton, South Carolina.
This church was built in 1857. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Today, it is part of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina and a bigger Church of the Cross campus.
The Church of the Cross: A Look Back
Early Days: Before the Church Was Built (1767–1857)
Church services in the Bluffton area started way back in 1767. That's when St. Luke's Parish was formed. A church was built nearby in 1787.
People first held services on "The Bluff" by the May River in the early 1830s. The new town of Bluffton was a popular summer spot. It was also a stop for ferries traveling between Savannah and Beaufort. By 1842, a small chapel was built close to where The Church of the Cross stands today.
Building the Church: The Antebellum Period (1857–1861)
In July 1857, the church building you see now was officially opened. Architect E. B. White designed it. People at the time called it a "handsome cruciform Gothic building." This means it was shaped like a cross and built in the Gothic style.
Its windows have fanned arches that look like palmetto trees. These windows are framed by pretty latticed shutters. The special rose-colored glass in the windows was brought all the way from England. Inside, the walls have a soft pink plaster that makes the light feel warm. The exposed pine wood beams show how strong and stable the building is.
During the War: Federal Occupation (1861–1865)
In 1863, soldiers marched into Bluffton. They burned most of the town. Luckily, the church was saved, but many people who went to the church had to leave.
Church services in Bluffton started again in 1870. Reverend E. E. Bellinger arrived and helped fix up the church.
After the War: Repairs and Changes (1865–1975)
In 1892, the church roof was replaced. However, a very strong hurricane in 1898 damaged the roof and the rest of the building. By February 1900, all the repairs were finished.
Workers also updated the chancel, which is the area around the altar. They used parts of the old pulpit and desk to create a new walnut altar with a stone top. They also made a new pulpit and a prayer desk. A small chapel area was made in the Narthex (the entrance hall). This area was easy to heat for the few people who came to church in the winter.
Growing Stronger: The Modern Congregation (1975–Present)
The Church of the Cross has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. As the church grew quickly, members built the first rectory (a house for the church leader) in 1986. By 2001, this building became the church's main office because of continued growth.
In 1997, the Narthex wall was moved back to its original spot. This made more room for people to sit in the main part of the church. Stairs now lead up to the updated balcony above. This balcony is home to the choir and a special English pipe organ, which was installed in 1999.
In the 20 years after The Church of the Cross became a full parish, the number of members grew 20 times larger! More than 70 ministries, led by church members, were added to help the church and the communities around it.
Members of the church also started Cross Schools Inc. This school opened in 1998 with seven first-grade students. Land was bought for a school campus in 2000. The school kept growing, adding a new grade each year. They used rented spaces until their first building was finished in 2005.
Today, Cross Schools teaches over 600 students. These students range from toddlers (12 months old) up to eleventh grade. The first senior class will graduate in 2024. A traditional chapel was added to the Cross Schools Campus in February 2020. The church offices are now located there. Students have weekly chapel services, and a traditional weekend service is also held there. The newest building phase for the Cross Schools campus was finished in December 2021. This three-story building houses sports facilities and the high school.
The school is an important part of the church's history. It works closely with the church. The church also uses space on the school campus for its modern Sunday morning worship services.
Worship Services
The way people worship at The Church of the Cross is based on the Anglican Church. It combines parts of the Book of Common Prayer with more modern worship styles. Six services are held each week at two different locations:
- Saturday, 5:28pm – Gracetime: A relaxed Eucharist Service
- Sunday, 8:00am – Traditional Holy Eucharist
- Sunday, 9:00am - Blended Holy Eucharist (at The Chapel on the Cross Schools Campus, 491 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton)
- Sunday, 10:30am – CrossPoint: Modern/Contemporary (at Cross Schools Campus Gym, 495 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton)
- Sunday, 10:00am – Blended Holy Eucharist
