Manchester State Forest, Pinewood in Sumter County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010

1. St. Mark's Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. (Front text)
By Act of Assembly St. Mark's Parish was established in 1757. The first Church stood at Halfway Swamp. Others were built near Williamsburg-Sumter Line, near Rimini, and near this site. These four churches were abandoned or burned. Soldiers and Patriots of the Revolution were members of St. Mark's Parish.
(Reverse text)
The present church, designed by Edward C. Jones and Francis D. Lee, of Charleston, was built of brick made of local clay, on land given by R.C. Richardson and R.I. Manning. The cornerstone was laid by Bishop Thos. F. Davis, Feb., 1854, and the church consecrated March, 1855. Six Governors and many noted citizens worshipped here.

Erected 1952 by Sumter County Historical Commission. (Marker Number 43-6.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is March 4, 1855.

Location. 33° 44.844′ N, 80° 30.721′ W. Marker is in Manchester State Forest, Pinewood, South Carolina, in Sumter County. It is at the intersection of County Road 51 and St Marks Church Road on County Road 51. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pinewood SC 29125, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies:

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Richard Richardson (within shouting distance of this marker); Millford Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. David Dubose Gaillard (approx. 1.4 miles away); Site of Manchester (approx. 6.4 miles away); Encounter at Halfway Swamp / Site of Original St. Mark's Church (approx. 6½ miles away); Halfway Swamp: (approx. 6.7 miles away); Enon Baptist Church (approx. 7.4 miles away); Congaree River Ferries (approx. 7.6 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Encounter At Halfway Swamp / Site Of Original St. Mark's Church (was approx. 6½ miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding St. Mark's Episcopal Church. (St. Mark’s Church) St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, built in 1855, is significant for its architectural style representative of the Gothic Revival Style prevalent in the mid-nineteenth century and for its association with individuals prominent in the history of South Carolina, including six governors of the State. Established by the South Carolina House of Commons in 1757, St. Mark’s Parish and its parish church were for many years significant in the settlement and development of this area. The present church is the fourth structure to serve as St. Mark’s Church. The original church was erected ca. 1767, but was