Beech Island in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Historic Church
Photographed by Bruce InCharlotte, February 14, 2026
1. Historic Church Marker
This church was built in 1836 by Beech Island Presbyterian Church, organized in 1827 with the Rev. Nathan H. Hoyt of Vermont as first pastor. His son-in-law the Rev. Edward Axson, was ordained and served here. His daughter, Ellen, wife of Woodrow Wilson, was baptized here. In 1950 the building was consecrated as All Saints Episcopal Church.
Erected 1967 by All Saints Episcopal Church. (Marker Number 2-4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 33° 25.398′ N, 81° 51.714′ W. Marker is on Beech Island, South Carolina, in Aiken County. It is on Williston Road (U.S. 278) west of Hammond Road (South Carolina Highway 580), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1595 Williston Rd, Beech Island SC 29842, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta and in the Midlands. 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 10 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Downer Institute & School / Downer School, 19241986 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Farm Equipment in the Twentieth Century (approx. half a mile away); Redcliffe Plantation (approx. 0.6 miles away); Beech Island Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Beech Island Agricultural Club (was approx. Ό mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Ellen Axson Wilson. Wikipedia entry:
Ellen Axson Wilson (May 15, 1860August 6, 1914), first wife of Woodrow Wilson, was First Lady of the United States from 1913 until her death. (Submitted on March 15, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. History of Beech Island. Beech Island Historical Society website entry (Submitted on July 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Rev. Edward Axson
Wikipedia
Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 2008
2. Historic Church Marker
[Rev. Edward Axson] suffered a nervious breakdown, and the Axson family moved from Rome [Ga.] to Savannah in the fall of 1883. After episodes of physical violence, Rev. Axson was confined to the Central State Mental Hospital at Milledgeville the following January and died there, very likely by suicide, on May 28, 1884. (Source: Edith and Woodrow: The Wilson White House by Phyllis Lee Levin (2001), pg 19.)
— Submitted January 9, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
3. Historic Church and Marker
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
4. Historic Church
Photographed by Brian Scott
5. Ellen Axson Wilson (1860-1914)
Member of the church and first wife of
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,555 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 19, 2026, by Bruce InCharlotte of Charlotte, North Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on March 15, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
