Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
1. Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House Marker
Inscription.
Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House. . " Here, in 1794, I had the happiness, instrumentally, to lay the foundation of a place of worship which composed of the best materials, and classes with the most neat and commodious Baptist meetinghouses in the United States." (Rev. Henry Holcombe, First Fruits in a Series of Letters) This construction involved erection of a structure measuring 30' - 2'' north / south by 36' - 4" east / west, suitable for intermittent use by a small congregation., Over time, the church grew and was constituted The Baptist Church of Beaufort in 1804, with Rev. Joseph Bullein Cook, pastor. Soon after, in 1805, the structure was enlarged, extending the old building northward and producing a building measuring 65' - 8" by 36 - 4". Galleries were added to accommodate the large black membership; later, a bell tower was added. , In 1842 the north wall began to bulge and the roof was failing, leading to the condemnation and demolition of the structure. The tabby walls were cut down to a uniform height and capped with concrete. The present brick sanctuary was completed in 1844 under the direction of Dr. Richard Fuller, pastor. It is recorded that the church worshiped for the first time in the new building on April 14, 1844. In November 1845, on the site of old church, burial lots were allotted and assigned to five prominent church members (Fuller, Sams, Givens, Hazel, Smith).
" Here, in 1794, I had the happiness,
instrumentally, to lay the foundation of
a place of worship which composed of
the best materials, and classes with the
most neat and commodious Baptist
meetinghouses in the United States."
(Rev. Henry Holcombe, First Fruits in a
Series of Letters) This construction
involved erection of a structure
measuring 30' - 2'' north / south by
36' - 4" east / west, suitable for
intermittent use by a small congregation.
Over time, the church grew and was
constituted The Baptist Church of
Beaufort in 1804, with Rev. Joseph Bullein
Cook, pastor. Soon after, in 1805, the
structure was enlarged, extending the
old building northward and producing
a building measuring 65' - 8" by 36 - 4".
Galleries were added to accommodate
the large black membership; later, a
bell tower was added.
In 1842 the north wall began to bulge
and the roof was failing, leading to the
condemnation and demolition of the
structure. The tabby walls were cut
down to a uniform height and capped
with concrete. The present brick
sanctuary was completed in 1844 under
the direction of Dr. Richard Fuller, pastor.
It is recorded that the church worshiped
for the first time in the new building on
April 14, 1844. In November 1845, on the
site of old church, burial lots were
allotted and
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assigned to five prominent
church members (Fuller, Sams, Givens,
Hazel, Smith).
Location. 32° 26.099′ N, 80° 40.387′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. Marker is on Charles Street near Prince Street, on the right when traveling south. Located northside of churchyard / cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaufort SC 29902, United States of America. Touch for directions.
"Northeast corner of 1805
Baptist Meeting House
addition"
Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 22, 2009
3. Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House Marker, northeast corner
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
4. Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House northeast corner
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
5. Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House , westside junction
"West side junction of
north end of 1794
building and 1805
addition"
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
6. Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House
"Northwest corner of 1805
Baptist Meeting House
addition"
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 19, 2009
7. Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House Marker
"Southeast corner of 1794
Baptist Meeting House"
Note the "tabby wall", concrete and brick capped ,as mentioned on marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
8. Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House
"East side junction of
north end of 1794
building and 1805
addition"
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
9. Site of the Old Baptist Meeting House
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
10. Today's Baptist Church of Beaufort
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,002 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on December 28, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.