St. James Episcopal Church (Santee, South Carolina) facts for kids
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St. James Church, Santee
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St. James Episcopal Church, Santee
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Georgetown, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1768 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000581 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
St. James Church, Santee, also known as St. James Episcopal Church, Santee, is a very old and important church. It is found deep inside the Francis Marion National Forest in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. This church was built way back in 1768. It shows off a fancy style called Georgian architecture, which was popular at the time. Because of its special design, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970. You can find it on the west side of the Old Georgetown Road, a few miles north of South Carolina Highway 46 and McClellanville.
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About St. James Church
In 1706, the Province of Carolina officially set up the Church of England in the area. This divided what is now South Carolina into six church districts, called parishes. St. James Church was built as the main church for one of these parishes in 1768.
Church Design and Features
The church is a single-story building made of brick. It has a special roof shape called a hip roof, covered with slate. Both the front and back of the church have a part that sticks out, like a small temple front. These parts are held up by four round brick columns. At the back, the spaces between these columns were later filled in with bricks. This area now serves as the church's vestry, which is a room used by the clergy and for storing church items.
The windows of the church are rounded at the top and have special decorative stones called keystones. On the eastern wall, there is a large, beautiful three-part window known as a Palladian window. Inside the church, many original wooden parts and metal fittings are still there. This includes the unique box pews, which are like small enclosed seating areas, and the pulpit. The pulpit is where the minister stands to give sermons. It was originally at the north end of the church but was moved to the eastern wall sometime in the 1700s.
Why This Church Is Special
St. James Church is one of only a few country churches from the 1700s that are still standing in South Carolina. What makes it truly special is its very detailed and elegant design. Its style was quite modern for its time, reflecting the popular architectural trends seen in Charleston. Because of its historical and architectural importance, the building was officially named a National Historic Landmark in 1970.
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