St. James Church (Goose Creek, South Carolina) facts for kids
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St. James' Church, Goose Creek
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1940 HABS photo
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Goose Creek, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1713–19 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000566 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
St. James' Church, Goose Creek, also known as the Goose Creek Church, is a historic church in Goose Creek, South Carolina. It is an Episcopal church, which is a type of Christian church. This church was built a very long time ago, between 1713 and 1719. It is one of the oldest buildings still standing in South Carolina. It is also one of the few early Georgian style churches left in the United States. Because of its importance, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970.
Contents
What Makes This Church Special?
St. James' Church is located on a peaceful, tree-filled piece of land. It sits near the Goose Creek Primary School. The church building is made of brick covered with stucco. It has a special roof shape called a clipped-gable slate roof. The corners of the building have decorative brickwork.
Inside and Out: The Church's Look
The church has entrances on three sides. Each entrance has tall, rounded windows next to it. The main entrance is on the west side. It has columns and a fancy design above it. Inside, the church has three walkways. These walkways separate rows of old-fashioned box pews. These are like small, enclosed seating areas. At the east end of the church is the pulpit. This is where the preacher stands. It has its original reading stand and a special sounding board above it. The wall behind the pulpit is beautifully decorated. It features the seal of George I of Great Britain, who was the King of Great Britain at that time. You can also see stucco decorations of cherubs and a pelican feeding its young.
A Look Back: Church History
The Province of Carolina officially started the Church of England in 1706. They divided South Carolina into different church areas called parishes. The Saint James parish church was built by English settlers. Many of these settlers came from Barbados. The church was built between 1713 and 1719. This makes it one of the oldest Episcopal churches in the United States. The building has been changed a little over the years. In 1844, iron rods were added to make the walls stronger. An earthquake in 1886 caused some damage. It made the west end of the roof fall down.
Who is Buried Here?
The church has an old churchyard around it. A brick wall now surrounds this burial ground. Many people are buried here. One important person is Ralph Izard. He was a U.S. senator from South Carolina. He even led the Senate for a short time in 1794. Robert Jordan, a famous author, also has his ashes buried here. He wrote a popular series of fantasy novels called The Wheel of Time. A monument for John Parker was moved to the churchyard in 1952. He was an important person from the past.
See also
