Church of the Holy Cross (Stateburg, South Carolina) facts for kids
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Church of the Holy Cross
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Historic Church of the Holy Cross
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| Location | SC 261, 335 N. Kings Hwy. Stateburg, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1850–1852 |
| Part of | Stateburg Historic District (ID71000809) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001732 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
| Designated CP | February 24, 1971 |
The Church of the Holy Cross is a historic church in Stateburg, South Carolina. It was built between 1850 and 1852. A famous architect from South Carolina, Edward C. Jones, designed it. This church is special because it was built using a method called rammed earth construction. It also has a beautiful Gothic Revival style.
In 1973, the church was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States. In 2013, the church decided to join a different group of Anglican churches. This happened because they had different ideas about how the church should be run.
Contents
Discovering the Church of the Holy Cross
The Church of the Holy Cross is on the east side of North Kings Highway. It's located west of the city of Sumter. The church walls are made of yellow rammed earth. This is a building method where damp dirt is packed tightly to form strong walls. The walls are about 40 feet (12 meters) tall. They are covered in stucco, which is a type of plaster.
The church has strong supports called buttresses at its corners. These help the walls stand tall and strong. The church's shape is like a cross when you look down from above. This is called a cruciform plan. A tall tower stands at one end of the church. The roof is very steep and covered with tiles. The windows and doors are shaped like pointed Gothic arches. Inside, the church is painted gray to look like stone.
Building the Church: A Look Back
The church was built from 1850 to 1852. The land for the church was given by General Thomas Sumter. He was a hero from the American Revolutionary War. The church was designed by Edward C. Jones. He was one of the best architects in South Carolina at that time. Not many of his buildings are still standing today.
Right across the road from the church is Borough House Plantation. This was the home of Dr. William Wallace Anderson. He was the leader of the group that built the church. Dr. Anderson also built his own house and other buildings on his plantation using rammed earth. Some of these buildings are still there today. The plantation is also a National Historic Landmark. Both the church and the plantation are part of the Stateburg Historic District.
The Church Today
The Church of the Holy Cross is still an active church. In 2013, the church changed its affiliation. It moved from the Episcopal Church to the Anglican Church in North America. This was part of a larger movement called the Anglican realignment. The current priest is Fr. Michael E. Ridgill.
In 2010, the church finished a big restoration project. It cost $2.3 million to fix a lot of termite damage. The church also has its original pipe organ. This organ was installed way back in 1851.
Important People Buried Here
- Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779–1851): He was a doctor, a botanist (someone who studies plants), and an American statesman (a leader in government). The famous flower, the Poinsettia, is named after him!
- George L. Mabry, Jr. (1917–1990): He was a Major General in the U.S. Army. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military.
See also
