Moncks Corner in Berkeley County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Biggin Church

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009

1. Biggin Church Marker

Inscription. Parish Church of St. John's Berkeley, founded by Act of Assembly November 30, 1706. Church erected in 1712. Burned by forest fire in 1775 and restored. Burned by Col. Coates of the British Army in 1781 and again restored. Burned again by forest fire about 1886. Gen. William Moultrie and Henry Laurens were among the vestrymen of the parish. (Marker Number 8-9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era. A significant historical date for this entry is November 30, 1917.

Location. 33° 12.779′ N, 79° 57.981′ W. Marker is in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, in Berkeley County. Marker is on State Highway 402, on the right when traveling south. Located between Carswell Lane and Biggins Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moncks Corner SC 29461, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Santee Canal (approx. 0.8 miles away); Berkeley County Confederate Monument (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Santee Canal (approx. 1.4 miles away); Colleton House: “Unmanly Practices” or Legitimate Target? (approx. 1.4 miles away); Fort Fair Lawn: An Archeaological Treasure (approx. 1.4 miles away); Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center: A County's Story

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(approx. 1.4 miles away); Too Formidable to Take (approx. 1.4 miles away); C.S.S. David (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moncks Corner.

Regarding Biggin Church. Biggin Church Ruins are the remains of the parish church of St. John’s Parish. The church was established by an act of the South Carolina Commons House of Assembly in 1706, which divided the colony into ten parishes. The original Biggin Church was probably completed ca. 1711. Biggin Church was used through the mid-nineteenth century and the surrounding cemetery is still being used. During the American Revolution, ammunitions were stored in the church by British troops who, upon leaving, set the church on fire. The church was burned several other times throughout its use, the last time in the late 1800s when it was not subsequently rebuilt. For many years the site served as a local brickyard. Although only portions of two walls remain, there is evidence that originally Biggin Church was designed with a degree of sophistication. Notable architectural details which remain include a Gibbs surround at the main portal, quoins at the corner, radiating voussoirs over the windows, and a rounded

Biggin Church Marker, as seen looking south along State Road 402 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 20, 2009

2. Biggin Church Marker, as seen looking south along State Road 402

water table—all executed in brick. Listed in the National Register December 13, 1977.
(South Carolina Department of Archives and History )

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. see Strawberry Chapel

Also see . . . Touring South Carolina's Revolutionary War Sites By Daniel W. Barefoot, page 44-45. Biggin Church was located at the intersection of three roads... (Submitted on October 19, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Biggin Church Marker as seen looking north image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 20, 2009

3. Biggin Church Marker as seen looking north

Biggin Church ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 20, 2009

4. Biggin Church ruins

Biggin Church and cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 20, 2009

5. Biggin Church and cemetery

National Register of Historic Places:
Biggin Church Ruins ** (added 1977 - Site - #77001215) • 2 mi. NE of Moncks Corner on SC 402, Moncks Corner • Historic Significance: Event • Area of Significance: Social History, Religion, Military • Period of Significance: 1700-1749, 1750-1799, 1800-1824, 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899 • Owner: Private • Historic Function: Funerary, Religion • Historic Sub-function: Cemetery, Religious Structure • Current Function: Funerary • Current Sub-function: Cemetery •

Biggin Church and cemetery ruins image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1977

6. Biggin Church and cemetery ruins

Biggin Church and cemetery ruons image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1977

7. Biggin Church and cemetery ruons

Biggin Church image. Click for full size.

Thomas T. Waterman, Historic American Buildings Survey, circa 1939

8. Biggin Church

Historic American Engineering Record, HABS SC,8-MONCO.V,2-2

Biggin Church, west front detail image. Click for full size.

Thomas T. Waterman, Historic American Buildings Survey, circa 1939

9. Biggin Church, west front detail

Historic American Engineering Record, HABS SC,8-MONCO.V,2-3

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,280 times since then and 179 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 19, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8, 9. submitted on April 30, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.