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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Abbeville in Abbeville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic) |
Trinity Episcopal Church
Abbeville's Gothic Revival Church
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By Brian Scott, September 27, 2008 | |
| | | 1. Trinity Episcopal Church Marker | | |
Inscription.
Trinity Episcopal Church is the oldest standing church in Abbeville. With its classic Gothic architecture and 125-foot steeple, it dominates the Abbeville skyline. Built by a congregation made prosperous by the economy of cotton in the antebellum period, it was constructed in 1859-60 as clouds gathered for a war that would radically change their way of life forever.
Marshall Memorial
Memorial to Colonel and Mrs. J. Foster Marshall. Colonel Marshall is one of three lost colonels of the Confederacy buried at Trinity but the only one buried in the churchyard.
Trinity's Architectural Heritage
The congregation engaged Columbia architect George E. Walker to design a new church to replace its 1843 wooden structure. Mr. Walker found his inspiration in the Gothic cathedrals of France. Designed to hold 400 persons, the church was consecrated on November 4, 1860 and still retains many of its original elements. The organ built by John Baker of Charleston dates back to 1860. The bell in the tower is also original and it remarkable because it survived Confederate requests to be melted down into cannon balls. One can still see the original artistic graining on the pews. The boxwood gardens were planed in 1859-1860 by Rev. Benjamin Johnson from the nursery at Pomaria, South Carolina.
Trinity | | | | 
By Brian Scott, September 27, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Trinity Episcopal Church | | |
Church Today
While a major restoration took place in the mid-1970s, the congregation is committed to the church's care and maintenance as well as the preservation of trinity as a house of worship.
Erected by South Carolina Heritage Corridor.
Marker series. This marker is included in the South Carolina Heritage Corridor marker series.
Location. 34° 10.617′ N, 82° 22.833′ W. Marker is in Abbeville, South Carolina, in Abbeville County. Marker is on North Church Street, on the left when traveling north. Click for map. Marker is located just inside the main gate, to the left. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 North Church Street, Abbeville SC 29620, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "The Liars Bench" (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Bank Building (ca. 1865) (about 500 feet away, in a direct line); Abbeville County Confederate Monument (about 500 feet away); Abbeville Square (about 500 feet away); "Big Bob" (about 600 feet away); Humane Society Alliance Fountain (1912) (about 600 feet away); Major Thomas Dry Howie (about 600 feet away); The Law Offices of John C. Calhoun (about 600 feet away); Maj. Thomas D. Howie (about 600 feet away); Abbeville Opera House (1908) (about 700 feet away). Click for a list of all markers in Abbeville. | | | | 
By Brian Scott, September 27, 2008 | |
| | | 3. Trinity Episcopal Steeple and Spires | | |
Regarding Trinity Episcopal Church. Trinity Episcopal Church was included in the initial application to list the Abbeville Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places.
Also see . . .
1. Trinity Episcopal Church. Trinity Episcopal Church is an example of Gothic Revival architecture in South Carolina that remains as originally constructed and contains handmade interior woodwork. (Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina.)
2. Trinity Episcopal Church. Official church website, includes more photos in its history section. (Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina.)
Additional comments.
1. Trinity Episcopal Cornerstone Laid
Independent Press
June 24, 1859
The ceremony of laying the cornerstone of the new Episcopal church in our village was performed with becoming solemnity on Monday morning last at 10 o’clock by the Rt. Rev. Thos. F. Davis, D.D., the Bishop of the Diocese in the presence of the attending clergy and quite a number of spectators. Seats had been provided in the pleasant shade of the trees in front of the present edifice…prayers were then offered by the Rev. B. Johnson, and the 100 Psalm of David was then sung to the tune of Old Hundred -- after which followed the addresses of the Bishop, and the Rev. Thos. S. Arthur of Greenville…
The plan of the new church was prepared by Mr. G.E. Walker, architect of Columbia. It is a beautiful design in the Gothic style, and has occupied the site of the present edifice. It will be a large and imposing edifice, and will when completed be truly an ornament in our village. | | | | 
By Brian Scott, January 17, 2009 | |
| | | 4. Trinity Episcopal Church - Spire | | |
— Submitted September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina.
2. Trinity Episcopal Church Dedication
Independent Press
November 9, 1860
The church is a beautiful Gothic structure, and is one of the handsomest edifices in the upper country; reflecting great credit in its design and construction upon the architect, Geo. A. Walker of Columbia, and the contractors, Blease & Baxter of Newberry. The symmetry of its exterior and the convenience of its interior arrangements have been very generally admired. Entering by the ample doorway, a spacious centre aisle and two side aisles, conduct you to well-cushioned seats, and to the rear of the building. On either had are the large Gothic windows of stained glass, through which the “dim religious light” falls in rays of many a fantastic hue; whilst in the rear is the beautiful chancel with its soft carpeted floor, its stuccoed ceiling, and rich stained glass window. This window had been admired, and is one of the finest in the state; representing the figure of Christ bearing his cross, and surrounded with many appropriate devices.
An attractive feature of the church is the beautiful marble slab of the communion table, a handsome present to the church from the generous donor, Mr. J.D. Chalmers | | | | 
By Brian Scott | |
| | 5. Trinity Episcopal Church Postcard
Sold by the McMurray Drug Company | | |
of the village. Mr. Chalmers has furnished other specimens of his skill in a fine marble baptismal fount and an exquisitely polished tablet, which has been erected to the memory of the late Thomas Parker, the founder of Trinity church.
In a recess to the right of the reading desk has been placed the new organ – a sweet toned instrument from the well known establishment of Mr. John Baker of Charleston. The organist is Prof. Aichel of the Cokesbury Masonic Female College, assisted by a fine choir of young ladies and gentlemen.
The church bell is a present from the Hon. J. Foster Marshall and is a fine specimen of Southern manufacturing skill from the well known foundry of Messrs. John Alexander & Co. of Columbia, S.C.
The interior decorations of the building, the cushions, the curtains, the carpet, etc. have been furnished by the ladies of the congregation…The painting of the interior of the church has been executed by Mr. John Corbett of out village, and for taste and finish the graining and frosting could scarcely be excelled. — Submitted September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina.
3. Trinity Episcopal Church, 101 North Church Street (1859-60)
Trinity Episcopal Church, 101 North Church Street (1859-60): Monumental, brick church which | | | | 
By Brian Scott, May 2, 2009 | |
| | 6. Trinity Episcopal Church -
Towering Over Trinity Street
During Abbeville's Spring Festival | | |
is stuccoed and scored to resemble stone. The facade is dominated by a multi-level, square tower which contains the double door main entrance set in a multiple archivolt, four-centered arch. The arch is surmounted by a crenelated parapet, above which is a tripartite, lancet window contained within a single, pointed arch surround with applied wooden crockets above. Two single lancet windows pierce the third level of the tower. Corner buttresses rise through the third level to form octagonal spires, between which are stepped, lancet panels on each elevation. A tall, octagonal spire, sheathed in imbricated and sawtooth wooden shingles and terminating in a cross finial, crowns the tower. The side elevations are five bays long, with shouldered and gabled buttresses between bays and at corners. There is a crenelated parapet. The building has a gable roof. The interior displays the wooden, scissors truss roof support system with reinforcing, iron tie-rods. The chancel has a pointed, barrel-vaulted ceiling with ornamental ribs. Original wooden pews remain intact. There are three stained glass windows. A massive pipe organ, built by John Baker of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1860, is still in use. The church was designed by George E. Walker of Columbia, South Carolina, in the Gothic Revival style. The church yard is surrounded by an iron fence and contains a boxwood garden. (Source: National | | | | 
By Brian Scott, February 3, 2009 | |
| | 7. Trinity Episcopal Church -
Looking West Along Trinity Street | | |
Register nomination form.) — Submitted November 20, 2009, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. |
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By Brian Scott, September 27, 2008 | |
| | | 8. Trinity Episcopal Church Entrance | | |
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By Brian Scott, January 17, 2009 | |
| | | 9. Trinity Episcopal Church - Rear Side | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 27, 2008 | |
| | | 10. Trinity Episcopal Church Exterior Wall | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 27, 2008 | |
| | | 11. Trinity Episcopal Church Cornerstone | Trinity Episcopal
Church
Parish Organized
-- 1842 --
Present Church
Built - 1859 | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 27, 2008 | |
| | | 12. J. Foster Marshall Memorial | | J. Foster Marshall and his wife are the only people buried in the Trinity churchyard. (Other early members of the church are buried in the cemetery southwest of the church.) Their grave is located on the west side of the church property. | | |
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By Brian Scott, May 2, 2009 | |
| | | 13. Rev. Octavius Theodore Porcher | Sacred to the Memory of
Rev. Octavius Theodore Porcher
The Founder and First Rector of this Church,
Born June 9, 1829 Died Dec. 30, 1873
A man who, above most men of his Time, walked with God by Faith, was sustained by a living and Holy Hope, and exercised towards his fellow men, without respect
Of persons,
An active and self denying Charity.
This tablet is erected in grateful and affectionate remembrance of his character and services,
by his former pupils and the members of this church. | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 27, 2008 | |
| | | 14. Trinity Episcopal Church Interior (Southwest Wall) | | |
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By Brian Scott, May 2, 2009 | |
| | | 15. Trinity Episcopal Church Cancel | | |
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By Brian Scott, May 2, 2009 | |
| | | 16. Trinity Episcopal Church Gallery | | |
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By Brian Scott, September 27, 2008 | |
| | | 17. Interior of Stained Glass Window in Gallery | | |
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By Brian Scott, May 2, 2009 | |
| | | 18. Trinity Episcopal Church - Stained Glass Window Detail | | The large chancel window was a gift from a "Greenville church" and was ordered from England to be placed at the time of consecration. Unfortunately, the window did not arrive until 1863, having run the blockade in Charleston harbor. | | |
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| Credits. This page originally submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 858 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 4. Submitted on January 25, 2009, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 5. Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 6. Submitted on May 7, 2009, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 7. Submitted on November 20, 2009, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 8. Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 9. Submitted on January 25, 2009, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 10, 11, 12. Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 13. Submitted on May 7, 2009, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 14. Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 15, 16. Submitted on May 7, 2009, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 17. Submitted on September 29, 2008, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. 18. Submitted on May 7, 2009, by Brian Scott of Greenville, South Carolina. | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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