Lexington in Lexington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hazelius House
Photographed By Brian Scott, August 22, 2009
1. Hazelius House Marker
the Lutheran Synod in 1834, this house
served as home to the Lutheran Seminary's
headmaster, Dr. Ernest Hazelius, during that
school's location here 1834-1858. Theologian,
historian, author, and educator, Dr. Hazelius
(1777-1853) was its most important occupant.
In 1891, Charlie Tilman, a traveling evangelist,
wrote the hymn, "Old Time Religion," while a
guest here of the Leaphart family. The house is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Churches & Religion • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.
Location. 33° 59.217′ N, 81° 14.417′ W. Marker is in Lexington, South Carolina, in Lexington County. Marker is on Fox Street. Building is on the grounds of the Lexington County Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 231 Fox Street, Lexington SC 29072, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Daniel Koon House (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Oak Grove Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); John Fox House
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Ernest L. Hazelius House. The Ernest L. Hazelius House (ca. 1830) is an example of the modest dwelling built by the German-Swiss settlers of Lexington County in the first half of the nineteenth century. (Submitted on August 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Charles Davis Tillman. Charles Davis Tillman (1861 March 20, Tallassee, Alabama – 1943 September 2, Atlanta, Georgia)—also known as Charlie D. Tillman, Charles Tillman, Charlie Tillman, and C.D. Tillman—was a popularizer of the gospel song. (Submitted on August 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Old Time Religion
Photographed By Brian Scott, August 22, 2009
2. Hazelius House
Additional commentary.
1. Ernest L. Hazelius House
Exterior
Built of native heart pine, this one-story house (ca. 1830) is set upon low brick pillars. The gabled roof extends in sheds above the veranda in front and above the addition in the rear, both transversing the breadth of the house. Supporting the roof of the veranda are seven square columns with very simple capitals. While the exterior walls of the gable ends and the rear facade are original, the original shiplap of the veranda facade is now covered with narrow clapboard. (see surroundings for additional information) There are two interior chimneys and one exterior single-shouldered chimney on the west gable end. All chimneys are corbeled and capped.
Interior
The rectangular floor plan is divided into four rooms across the front of the house with central hall and four small bedrooms across the rear. The front rooms have fireplaces with simple paneled friezes and narrow mantels. Window shutters and closets were
Photographed By Brian Scott, August 22, 2009
3. Joggling Board at the Hazelius House
Popular in the lowcountry, joggling boards served several purposes: to provide entertainment for toddlers and children, to provide a safe "courting" location for young couples, and help with the settling of food in adults. All this by gently bouncing on the board.
Surroundings
The Hazelius House was placed on the National Register May 11, 1973. Originally located at 225 Columbia Avenue, it was recently moved to avoid destruction. This structure was moved approximately 300 feet (across US 378) to the Lexington County Museum complex. Originally located on a tract of land given by Lexington Village to the Lutheran Theological Seminary, the Hazelius House has been relocated on land which also belonged to the Seminary. Located in the Museum complex, the Hazelius House is across the street from the Fox House (National Register property and now the Lexington County Museum) and adjoined by two other structures which are being restored.
If the Hazelius House had not been moved, it would have been destroyed. A four lane highway is eventually planned for Columbia Avenue, and the Hazelius House sat only 20 feet from the present sidewalk. That same property is involved in an unsettled legal estate; however, the heirs to the property gave the Hazelius House to the museum with the understanding that it be moved. The condition of the house is fast deteriorating. By moving the structure, it is now in a position to be restored.
Plans for the Hazelius House include immediate stabilization and then restoration.
The porch had
Photographed By Brian Scott, August 22, 2009
4. Hazelius House
Architecture
The house is an example of the modest dwelling built by the German-Swiss settlers of Lexington County in the first half of the nineteenth century. It is a derivation of th~ha11-and-par1or house prevalent in the 1820s and 1830s from Pam1ico Sound in North Carolina through eastern Georgia. Seemingly ordinary in appearance, the house does, however, reflect a knowledge of the simpler Greek revival motifs, particularly in the paneled mantels, the use of capita1ed Columns, and the horizontal emphasis.
Religion/Philosophy
The house was occupied from 1834 until 1853 by Ernest L. Hazelius, a clergyman of the Lutheran Church, academician, philosopher, author, and educator. He was born in Silesian Prussia on 6 September 1777, descended from a line of Swedish clergymen. His mother had been an acquaintance of Catherine II of Russia and when the boy was orphaned, his adoption by the empress was narrowly averted. In 1800, Hazelius emigrated to the United States, was given a license to preach, and was sent to Pennsylvania to teach in a Moravian school. His first three pupils became bishops of the Moravian Church. In 1809, he resigned his position and became Lutheran.
Later in the year, he was given a pastorate in New Jersey. While there, he wrote a life of Martin Luther (1813). In 1824, Haze1ius received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Union and Columbia colleges. In January of 1834, he became professor of theology in the Classical and Theological Institute of the Synod of South Carolina at Lexington, South Carolina, and remained there until his death in 1853. His years as professor of theology in South Carolina's most predominantly Lutheran section exerted a strong influence upon the Lutheran Church in the United States. (Source: National Register nomination form.)
— Submitted August 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
2. About Ernest Hazelius
Ernest Lewis Hazelius (6 September 1777, Neusiz Prussia-20 february 1853, South Carolina). Education: Moravian school in Neisky. Career: Pastor and theological professor: Moravian Seminary in Nazareth, PA, 1800-8; pastor of united congregation, Hunterdon County, NJ; professor, Hartwick College, 1815-30; professor, Gettysburg Seminary, 1830-33; professor, Southern Seminary, 1834-43.
Ernest Hazelius came to the United States from Germany as a Moravian but soon returned to the Lutheran Church of his Swedish ancestors and served it as a teacher. His parents having joined the Moravian seminary in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Despite his advancement in that institution, he discerned that his views of church government and discipline did not coincide with those of his colleagues. For this and other, personal reasons he resigned his position and withdrew.
Following a brief tenure teaching in a Philadelphia school, Hazelius was ordained by the Ministerium of New York and took up pastoral responsibilities of several congregations in New Jersey. He then returned to teaching to teaching, first at Hartwick College, then Gettysburg Seminary, and finally settling at the seminary conducted by the Synod of South Carolina. During his years at Hartwick, Hazelius encouraged the Ministerium of New york to give greater attention to mission work and helped to organize a system of funding for such work. (Source: The Lutherans by L. DeAne Lagerguist (1999), pgs 186-187.)
— Submitted August 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,198 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
