Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-05-28
q Aisturital Sketfh.
CHURCH HISTORY.

mltted to that D0dy, ennQ the IouoWlnS Ill TeRd[I
to the churches belonging to the denomination
which were damaged or destroyed during the lat'
war. The report cannot fail to prove interesting
to many readers:
1.-THE Committee to whom was referredth dut!
of gathering information with regard to the des
truction of Churches and loss Of church propert!
during the war, beg leave to report:
That they have discharged the trust committed
to them as accurately as they could. 1t has re-
quired much patience and perseverance to obtain
definite information as to the condition Of many o.
the churches which lay in the track Of the invader
The fierce tornado which swept over our State
from its southwestern to its northwestern borders
leaving the ashes of cities and villages and church
es, and homesteads to mark its desolating track,
50 uprooted the foundations of our social and do
mestic life, as sometimes to leave few survivors To
tell the tale The destruction Of railroads. the alb
sence of post Offices, and the removal of those
members of the congregations who were familiar
with its history, have often rendered it exceeding
" difficult to obtain information authentic enough
to embody in this report.
But the committee believe that they have at last
succeeded in their efforts to present true and ac-
curate statement. '..
They begin with the churches in the southwestern
portion of the diocese, and will trace their history
geographically in the order of Sherman's march.
st. Peters Church, Robertviue-Was the only
Episcopal Church in that parish. 1t was new
church, built in 1859, of wood. 1t was burnt by
the Federal army in January, 1865, together with
the residences of every member Of the conTega-
tion The small congregation has been entirely
dispersed. There neither building nor minister,
nor people. The church may be considered dead.
st. L,.ke's Rarih.-The Church Of the Holy
Trinity, Grahamville, escaped with the destruction
of its organ and furniture, and some injury to
chancel and pews. Its parsonage was burnt with
the greater portion of the town. Only five dwell
ling houses escaped the torch. A portion of the
congregation have returned, but almost every
member is in a state of bankruptcy. The system
attic destruction Of houses, barns, buildings, and
fences around the rich mans estate and the poor
mans cabin, forbid any prospect of speedy resto-
ration to this portion of the country.
The recent death of their longesteemed Pastor
has added to their calamties. By the action Of
our Diocesan Missionary Society, the remnant of
this church is supplied with missionary services
monthly.
The church at Bluffton has similar history to
its 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 dispersion of the population, with
the poverty of the few remaining families, has
caused q suspension 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. Pauls, 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 dollars, were invested in Confederate
scrip, and are valueless Its plate is in possession
of the Vestry of St. Paups, in St Georges Dor
chester,
St. Helena Church, Beautort-Established in
l7l2 one of the oldest churches in the State, has
had varied experience of the changes through
which we have passed. Upon thecapture Of Port
Royal in November, 1861, the entire population Of
Beaufort fled from their homes, including every
family connected with the church. The Federal
forces converted the building into hospital re-
moved the pews and galleries, and hoored it across
so as to form second story.
Dr. Walker, for forty years the venerated Rec
tor of the church, has returned to his home, and
o6ciates in the lecture room to small remnant Of
his former flock. The con6scation of the proper
ty of St. Helena Parish, by acts Of Congress, has
reduced this congregation to more than ordinary
destitution. They can neither repair their church
nor support their Rector. The Domestic Board Of
Missions has placed DR.. Walker upon their lists
Of missionaries, and thus enabled him to resume
his ministry, and the aid of friends has Partially
restored the church so that it can be used for wor
ship. The Rector and remnant of this parish
must needs recall the years when St. Helena
Church, in proportion to numbers, stood first a.
mong the donors to the cause of missions in the
United States 1t has contributed more than
wealth to Gods house. The late beloved bishop
of Georgia went out from this devoted altar, to
consecrate his lofty intellect and capacious heart to
Christ And ten to twelve other ministers of oul
church claim this church as their spiritual home
The Church on Hilton Head, chapel of ease to
St. Lukes parish, has entirely disappeared. II
was wooden structure, not of much value. The
materials, it is believed, were removed by the ne
groes in order to build houses for themselves on
that island.
This appears to have been the fate with many
of the chapels built by the planters all around
Beaufort for the religious benefit Of their people.
Chapels and materials have both disappeared
probably with the same destination.
The church on St. Helena Island, also one o.
the old churches of the diocese, was completely
stripped of pews and furniture, and is now in the
hands of the Methodists. 1t is used by the ne
groes, who constitute the whole population of the
island, as place for their meetings 1t may bt
considered dead.
Sheldon Church, Prince Williams 1t ha'
been the fate of this venerable parish church tt
pass through two revolutions, and to experience
the same fortune in each 1t was burnt BY tht
British in 1850, on their march from Savannah tt
Charleston, and it was burnt again by the United
States Army on their march from Savannah tt
Charleston, in 1865. 1t had previously beer
stripped of pews and furniture by the negroes
All that was combustible was consumed but it:
massive walls survive the last as they did the for
mer conhagration.
From 1850 to 1880 it remained desolate. The
writer can remember how an oak tree which grew
in the centre of the venerable pile filed the inte
rior, and threw its ample branches over the lofty
walls, while cedar sprang from the chancel recess