Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Presbyterian Church

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 21, 2010

1. First Presbyterian Church Marker

First congregation organized in Columbia (1795). The churchyard, allotted as a public burying ground in 1798, was granted to this church 1813.

Inscription. (Upper Medallion)
National Register of Historic Places
First Presbyterian Church
South Carolina
Department of Archives
and History
(Lower Medallion)
American Revolution Bicentennial
* Richland County Committee *
Landmark 21 (Marker Number 71000801.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings.

Location. 34° 0.238′ N, 81° 1.853′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. Marker is on Marion Street near Lady Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named First Presbyterian Church (a few steps from this marker); Cecil Herbert Land D.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); First Presbyterian Church Confederate Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Columbia High School (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Columbia Female Academy (about 500 feet away); Washington Street Methodist Church

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(about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Washington Street Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); Marion Street (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Regarding First Presbyterian Church. Regarding First Presbyterian Church. The First Presbyterian Church, constructed ca. 1854, is a fine example of early English Gothic architecture, characterized by a vaulted ribbed ceiling. Its 188-foot spire is one of Columbia’s most distinctive architectural features. Its congregation was the first organized in Columbia (1795). According to tradition, the Presbyterian congregation drew lots with the Episcopal congregation, and won its present lot, which included the heretofore public non-denominational Columbia graveyard, dating from 1797. Buried here are Henry W. DeSaussure, first director of the U.S. Mint, Ann Pamela Cuningham, restorer of Mt. Vernon and President Woodrow Wilson’s parents.
Past congregational members include Colonel Thomas Taylor (upon whose plantation part of Columbia was built), scientist Dr. Joseph LeConte, architect Robert Mills and President Woodrow Wilson. The English Gothic structure is of reddish-brown stucco-covered brick.

First Presbyterian Church Marker, left of door image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 21, 2010

2. First Presbyterian Church Marker, left of door

National Register of Historic Places: First Presbyterian Church *** (added 1971 - Building - #71000801)

It features a central pinnacled steeple, an entrance flanked by pseudo-Corinthian columns, shouldered buttresses, stained glass windows, and pinnacles on the corners and along the battlemented roof.
It is the second church built on this site. The church building was extensively remodeled in 1925.
Listed in the National Register January 25, 1971.(South Carolina Department of Archives and History)

National Register of Historic Places:
First Presbyterian Church *** (added 1971 - - #71000801)
♦ Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
♦ Architectural Style: Gothic
♦ Area of Significance: Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1850-1874
♦ Owner: Private
♦ Historic Function: Funerary, Religion
♦ Historic Sub-function: Cemetery, Religious Structure
♦ Current Function: Funerary, Religion
♦ Current Sub-function: Cemetery, Religious Structure

Also see . . . The National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form for the First Presbyterian Church. Includes a brief description and history of the church. (Submitted on October 2, 2015.)

First Presbyterian Church West Front image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, Jack E. Boucher, April 1960

3. First Presbyterian Church West Front

Historic American Engineering Record , HABS SC,40-COLUM,12-1

1910

4. Presbyterian Church Steeple on Fire at 3:30am on February 23, 1910

After the fire the steeple was rebuilt, with 8 additional feet of height added, taking the spire to 188 feet.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 623 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on May 19, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on October 2, 2015.