Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-06-24
CHURCH HISTORY:

i in session in Charleston. Among tue report
Esubmitted to that body, we fiud the following
in regard to the churches belonging to th'
denomination which were damaged, Or de
stroyed during the late war. The report can
not fail to prove interesting to many readers
"The Committee to whom was referred th'
duty Of gathering information with regard tt
the destruction of CHURCHES and loss o
church properly during the war, beg leave t.
report:
That they have discharged. the trust com
mitted to them as accurately as they could
] 1t has required much patience and per>eYer
| ance to ubtain definite information US to the
condition of many Of the churches which lay
in the track Of the invader.
The fierce tornado which swept over oul
State from its southwestern to its nortSwes
tern borders. leaving the ashes Of cities, ant
villages, and churches. and homesteeds <
make its desolating track, so uprooted the
foundations of our social and domestic life, a;
sometimes 10 leave few survivors to tell the
tale. The destruction of railroads, the alb
sence of post offices aud the remcval'of those
members Of the congregations who were fa
miliar with its history, have often rendered ii
exceedingly difficult TO obtain information au
thentic enough to embody in this report.
But the committee believe that they have
at last succeeded in their efforts to present .
true and accurate statement.
They begin with the churches in the south
western portion Of the diocese, and will trace
their history geographically in the order o.
Shermans march.
81. Peters Church. RObeacille-Was the
only Episcopal Church in that parish. II was
new church, built III 1859, Of wood. 1t was
burnt by the Federal army i'll January, 1865,
together with the residences Of every member
OF the congregation. Thesmall congregation
has teen entirely disperstd d. There is neither
building, nor minister, nor people. The
church may he considered dead.
81. Luke'S Parish.-The Church of the
Holy Trinity, Grahamville, escaped with the
destruction OF its organ and furniture, and
some injury 10 chancel and pews. It's parson.
aye was burnt with the greater portion OF
the town. Only five dwelling houses escaped
the torch. A portion of the congregation
have returned, but almost every member Is in
state Of bankruptcy. The systematic de-
struction of houses, barns, buildings, and
fences around the rich mans estate and the
poor mans cabin, forbid any prospect ol
speedy restoration to this portion of the
country.
The recent death of their long esteemed
Pastor has added 10 their calamites. BY the
action of our Diocesan Missionary Society,
the remnant of this church is supplied with
missionary services monthly.
The church at Blufftcn has similar histo.
ry to it's sister church in this parish. The
church was not involved in the destruction Of
the town, being protected from the flames by
its beautiful grove OF oaks. But the dlsper-
s:on of the population, with the poverty OF
the few remaining families, has caused sus-
pension of religious services. The Rector,
The Rev. James Stoney, after'trying in vain
to revive the parish, has been compelled to
leave the diocese for want Of support. The
church is, therefore, suspended. .-;
ST. PauPs, Stono, was repaired thoroughly
in 1868; was converted into commissary
store by Confederate troops in 1864, being not
then used for divine service the pews and
church furniture torn out and destroyed; its
funds of some three thousand dcl!ars, were
invested iii Confederate scrip, and are value
less. Its plate Is IN possession of the Vestr,
of St. PauI's, in St. Georges Dorchester.
ST. Helena Church, BeaatoH-EstablisheG
in l7l2, one of the Oldest churches in the
State, has had a varied experience of the
changes through which we have passed
Upon the capture of Port Royalin November
1861, the entire population of Beaufort flee
| a. LII, r.,
nected with the church. The Federal force:
converted the building into hospital, removed
the pews and galleries, and foored it across
so as to form second story.
DR.. Walker, for forty years the vcnerateo
Rector of the church. has returned to hi:
home, and oiiiciGtes in the lecture room, to ;
small remnant of his former flock. The con
Gscation Of the property of St. Helena Parish
by acts of Congress, has reduced this congre
CATION to more than ordinary destitution
| they can neither repair their church nor sup
| port their Rector. The Domestic Board y
Missions has placed D,. Walker upon thei
lists of missionaries, aIdrthus enabled him tt
resume his ministry, and.rthe sid of f'friend
has partially restored the church SO that !
can be used for worship, The Rector ant
remnant OF this parish must needs recall th'
years when St. Helena Church, in proportion
to numbers, stood first among the donors tt
the cause of missions in the United States
Iehas contributed more than wealth to God
I house The late beloved bishop of Georgl'
went out. from this devoted altar, to conse
\ crate his loftYintellsct and capaciods heartt'
A Christ. Andpten to twelve. other ministers 0
aour church cla;tn-this church as theirspiritua
ifhone.S -.rs = = 49, -; E-ra - y
Tile CturrA on Hilton Head, chapel o
ease to s.. Luke's parish. has entirely dlsap
peared. 1t was i wooden structure, not q
much yaluc.a The materials, it is believed
were removed by, the-negroes in order to built
houses Tor themselves on that island.
This appears to have been the fate Wit
. many Of the pbapels built by the planters al
around Beaufort for the religious benefit Q
their people. Chapels and materials hay
both disappeared, probably with the sam
destination.
The church on St. Helena Island, also on
of the old churches of the diocese, was com
pletely stripped of pews and furniture, and i
nov in the hands ofsihe 5MethodiSts. 1t i
used by the negroes, who constitute the Who'll
population of tae island, asa place for thei
meetings.. It may be considered dead.
Sheldon aureh, Prince WiihaMs'.- ha
been the fate of this venerable parish churcl
to pass through two revolutions, and to expe
rience the same fortune in each. 1t was burn
by the British in 1880, on tteir march from
! Savannah TO Charleston, end It was burn
again by the United States army on thei
march from Savannah to Charleston, in 1866
Il had previously been strippedgof pews sS ane '
furniture by the negroes.T All that was com
l. ...aa 40 r,cur,a ad L..I ..