First Baptist Church (Columbia, South Carolina) facts for kids
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First Baptist Church
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The Boyce Chapel in 2012
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1306 Hampton St., Columbia, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1859 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000800 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 25, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
The James Petigru Boyce Chapel is a very old church building in Columbia, South Carolina. It was built in 1859 in the Greek Revival style. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples.
A very important meeting happened here on December 17, 1860. People from South Carolina voted to leave the United States. This big decision helped start the American Civil War. Because of its role in history, the building was named a National Historic Landmark. It is known as the First Baptist Church from that time. Today, it is part of the larger First Baptist Church complex in Columbia.
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History of the Church Building
The First Baptist Church of Columbia started in 1809. Its first church building was built in 1811 on Sumter Street.
The building we see today, the second First Baptist Church, was finished in 1859. We don't know who designed it. A man named James Petigru Boyce paid for its construction. He was once the president of a big seminary, which is a school for religious studies.
The Secession Convention of 1860
In 1860, the church became a key place in American history. After Abraham Lincoln was elected President, people in South Carolina wanted to discuss leaving the United States. The church was chosen for this meeting because it was the biggest place in Columbia.
On December 17, 1860, a group of leaders met here. They voted 159 to 0 to leave the United States. This was a unanimous vote, meaning everyone agreed. South Carolina was the first state to make this decision. Six other states followed before the Battle of Fort Sumter started the Civil War. Some people believed states had the right to leave the country.
This important meeting only lasted one day. There was a health concern in Columbia at the time. The leaders then met again in Charleston, South Carolina to officially sign the document. But the First Baptist Church was where South Carolina's leaders first declared their plan to leave the Union.
The Church During the Civil War
When the Union Army came to Columbia during the Civil War, many buildings were burned. A local person mistakenly led soldiers to another church, thinking it was the site of the secession meeting. About one-third of Columbia's buildings were destroyed by fire. However, the First Baptist Church was saved from the flames.
Modern Use of the Building
The original church building was used for services until 1992. These services were even shown on television. Today, the historic building is still used for many things. It has offices, hosts weddings, and even has a coffee shop. In 1992, the main church services moved to a new building. This new building is connected to the old one and has a new main worship area. The original 1859 building was then renamed the Boyce Chapel.
What the Building Looks Like
The First Baptist Church is built in the Greek Revival style. It was originally about 56 feet (17 m) wide and 84 feet (26 m) long. It has special columns called Tuscan portico and flat columns called Tuscan pilasters along its sides. Inside, there are balconies on each side and above the entrance.
Around the year 1900, the bricks were painted a dark brown color. In 1941, the church got air conditioning. It was also made longer by about 35 feet (11 m). This added space for the choir and a baptistery, which is a place for baptisms. In 1949, new side aisles were added, about fifteen feet wide. Steel columns were put in to support the building and match the old style. Also in 1949, the brown paint was removed from the brick walls. After the paint was gone, the walls had different colors, from dark pink to light tan.
The original church, built in 1859, was 84 feet (26 m) deep and 56 feet (17 m) wide.
The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
See also
