St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (St. Stephen, South Carolina) facts for kids
|
St. Stephens Episcopal Church
|
|
.jpg)
1978 HABS photo
|
|
 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 196 Brick Church Circle, St. Stephen, SC |
|---|---|
| Area | 4.6 acres (1.9 ha) |
| Built | 1767 |
| Architect | Francis Villepontoux; Et al. |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000570 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a very old church in St. Stephen, South Carolina. It was built a long time ago, between 1767 and 1769. This church is special because it's one of the few brick churches from the 1700s that are still standing in South Carolina. It has many unique design features you won't find on other buildings from that time.
Because of its importance, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970. This means it's a place recognized by the United States government for its historical value.
Contents
What Makes the Church Special?
St. Stephen's Church is located in St. Stephen, South Carolina. It sits on a piece of land that is about 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares). This area includes the church building, a churchyard, and a cemetery.
The church itself is a one-story building made of brick. It is about 46 feet (14 meters) long and 36 feet (11 meters) wide. The roof is a special type called a gambrel roof. It has curved sections and decorative ends.
Unique Design Features
The church has three entrances. Two are on the longer sides, and one is on the shorter western side. The doors and windows are set in round-shaped openings. Above them are fanlight windows, which look like a fan.
The outside walls have brick columns called Doric pilasters. These columns are flat against the wall and add to the church's Georgian style.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church is divided into four main areas by two aisles that cross each other. The pulpit, where the preacher stands, is at the eastern end. Behind it is a small Palladian window, which is a type of window with three parts.
The ceiling inside the church is made of decorated metal. After an earthquake in 1886, iron rods were added to the walls. These rods help to keep the building strong and stable.
History of St. Stephen's Church
The area around St. Stephen's Church became its own church parish in 1754. This means it was given its own church community, separate from a nearby parish.
The current brick church was built between 1767 and 1769. It replaced an older church that was made of wood. This church is known as one of South Carolina's best-preserved small country churches made of brick.
Who Built It?
The church was designed and built by Francis Villepontoux. A. Howard helped by providing the bricks needed for construction. William Axson was the master mason, meaning he was skilled in working with stone and brick.
For a long time, from 1808 to 1932, regular church services were not held here. However, the building was still cared for. Important repairs were done twice during the 1800s to keep it in good condition.
The Church Today
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is still an active church. It is part of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. This means it is part of a larger group of Episcopal churches in the state.
The current leader of the church is Reverend Jeffrey Richardson. The church continues to serve its community today.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Berkeley County, South Carolina
- List of National Historic Landmarks in South Carolina
- St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (disambiguation)
