Summerville in Dorchester County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Bell Tower of St. George's
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
1. Colonial Dorchester Marker
With the Congregationalists worshiping two miles away, St. George's Anglican Church was built here in the center of Dorchester. Village founders and other religious "Dissenters" were even taxed to support St. George's.
Upon completion in 1720, the sanctuary measured 50' x 30'. It was enlarged in the 1730s to meet the needs of its growing and prosperous parish. This bell tower with four bells was added in 1751.
(Upper picture): St. George's Angelican Church may have been a more convenient location for local worship, however, the Congregational Church remained the religious center for most of Dorchester's Puritan settlers.
(Lower picture): By depicting Anglican churches similar to St. George's, 18th century artwork can help us imagine the scene after religious services. The metropolitan Museum of Art, gift of Mrs. A. Wordsworth Thompson, 1899 (99.28) .
Erected by South Carolina State Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion
this page online
Location. 32° 56.937′ N, 80° 10.225′ W. Marker is in Summerville, South Carolina, in Dorchester County. Marker is on State Park Road, on the right when traveling east. Located .4 miles south of Dorchester Road ( State Road 642 )at Old Dorchester Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Summerville SC 29485, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Parish Church of St. George, Dorchester (within shouting distance of this marker); Dorchester Free School (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonial Dorchester (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Colonial Dorchester (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Colonial Dorchester (about 400 feet away); Linking Places and People (about 400 feet away); Old Dorchester (about 500 feet away); Fort Dorchester (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerville.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009
2. Colonial Dorchester Marker
Photographed By Colonial Dorchester Marker
3. Marker pictures
upper: St. George's Angelican Church location
lower: from The metropolitan Museum of Art, gift of Mrs. A. Wordsworth Thompson, 1899 (99.28) .
lower: from The metropolitan Museum of Art, gift of Mrs. A. Wordsworth Thompson, 1899 (99.28) .
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009
4. the brick bell tower of St. George’s Anglican Church
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009
5. St. George's bell tower and cemetery as seen today
Historic American Buildings Survey, C.O. Greene, 1940
6. The Bell Tower of St. George's
Historic American Engineering Record, HABS SC,18-1-1
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009
7. a St. George's Angelican Church grave
Headstone for Seth Prior, died June 16, 1708, aged 65
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,488 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 27, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on May 15, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on September 27, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
