Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-05-28

old splre was hailed with JOY by our eltlzens an
the preservation of that graceful spire, as well a
the venerable church itself, now the historic churc
of the diocese, is subject Of devout gratitude t.
our city aud our State.
ST. Phillips Church suffered more than st. Mi
chael's, or any other in the city. The marks
twelve shells were visible, which had penetrated
the roof or walls. One burst in the organ ant
blew to pieces that costly instrument Its loft!
spire escaped injury. 1t has been repaired, and
now regularly open for divine service. The iDjur!
to church and organs has cost the congregation
eight thousand dollars. -.
The financial condition of our diocese is illustra
ted by afact that in the history Of these two church
es, the largest and wealthiest in the State, St
Philips could not raise the amount necessary II
make their church habitable, until the amount wa
advanced by an individual whose means had es
capped the ravages of war.
Nor could St. Michaers pay the customhous'
dues upon their bells without the aid Of public
subscriptions and voluntary concerts
Grace Church was struck by single shell, bu
that proved destructive one. 1t crushed one o
the central columns and cracked the superincum
bent wall up to the roof, tore away twelve pews
and cut the interior walls in many places. The in
jury was temporarily repaired by wooden pillar
Soon after the evacuation of the city this church
was re-opened for service, and for year it afforded
to the Episcopalans Of the city place of worship
while their sanctuarics lay desolate.
st. Luke's and st. Stephen salso received dam
age from shells, in roof and walls But they have
been repaired and restored to their holy uses.
81. Peters, Charleston. church was de-
stroyed during the war, though not directly by it
1t perished in the great conAagration which swep
over our city in December 1861. 1t was founded
in 1880, and formed the scene of the jealous min
istry of Rev. w. H. BarnwelL In zeal and gooc
works this church was for thirty years burning
and shining light to our diocese and its influence
lives though its light has perished.
The congregation has been divided among othel
churches and there seems to be little prospect o.
| it's revival in the diminished population Of oul
city. Insured for $50 900 in specie but the fail
ure of the companies in which they have vestec
their funds renders its fund useless.
Grace Church, Sulkuan's Aland-This was s
brick building, originally erected for lazaretto.-
1t was purchased in 1916, and formed into par
ish church of the Episcopalians who made the is
land their home during the summer. When tn:
houses on the island were removed to give plact
to those formidable batteries which, for four years
protected the harbor from hostile fleets, the church
was involved in the common calamity. 1t was
made commissary depot for the Confederate
troops.
Its roofess walls still lift up their solemn sides
in the silence of the scene. Houses and ropula
ton have both disappeared. The grim battle
ments, with their frowning guns, cover the site o.
the once populous village-but you may walk along
their entire length without meeting soldier Or citi
zen, or hearing any sound save the ceaseless roll
the sea-
There is strange and painful solitude reignins
around those shores, where once our citizens flock
ed to stroll along the crowded beach and more
solemn silence reigning over those massive works
whose thunders shook our city by day and night
Is this desolation the sure wages of war?
The poor families who inhabit the island arr
chiefly Irish Romanists. No members Of our church
remain, nor is there any prospect Of its revival.
Christ Church Parish-The old church, 81,
miles from Charleston, lay just whiting the line
on the east Of the city, and was occupied by tn
Confederate troops. Itreceived some damage from
them But after tue evacuation of the city its ruil
was completed by the Federal soldiers; pews. pul
pit, floors, doors and windows were destroyed, ant
the brick walls cut through in many places.
History has re- produced itself in this old church
1t was desecrated by the British in the Revolution
and their cavalry stabbed within it. The Fedora
troops put it to the same use when stationed in tn
vicinity 1t still lies desolate its open doors of
fording shelter to the stray cattle and to the bird
of the air. Its fund of SIS is nearly worthless.
St. Johns Berkezey-Previous to the war nj
care of its clergyman. 1t owned rice plantation
which rented for twelve hundred, sometimes TO
fifteen hundred dollars per annum, and about tel
thousand dollars in stocks. 1t owned winter par
sonage and summer residence for its minister, ii
healthy position. But almost all this has gone
Biggin Church was much injured and its walls de
faced all the pews, the desk and chance rails wer
torn down and burnt. The congregation is not re
vived, except by monthly service.
The other churches between the seaboard ant
Columbia, at Barnwel, Pineville, Sumter, Rich
land and Orangeburg escaped destruction, but re
ceived more or less damage.
The churches on the seaboard north of Charleston
Jared better than those which bore the brunt Of tn
invasion.
The two churches on North and South Sante
escaped, though they were stripped of furniture
organ and all movables The church plate wa
stolen, but the set belong & St. James was re
covered by application to Federal officer com
nanding gun boat on the river. The Bible ant
prayer book (the gift of Rebecca Motto, of revolu
tionary fame,) were destroyed. No service ha
been resumed in either parish, nor do their mean
afford any present prospect of supporting clergy
man.
The five churches at Georgetown and Waecamav
suffered less, only two of them losing their carpet
and furniture But the prostration Of the ono
fourishing churches OH Waccamaw is complete
They contained more wealth than any other ruta
parish in South Carolina, or perhaps in the South
There were the homes of the largest rice planter
on this continent Their provision for the tempo
raj and spiritual welfare of their slaves was stand
ard to other planters Numerous chapels built b.
the propretors for the use of their people, adorned
the estates, where the services of our church wer
as well performed as in any other congregation il
the land. The faithful labors of their revered Pas
tor, Rev. A. Glennie, for thirty years had vrough
blessed results, aided by the systematic teaching
of the planters and their families. Hundreds O
the colored race were communicates of our church