Jacksonboro in Colleton County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Pon Pon Chapel
Serving the Community for Many Years
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 27, 2013
1. Pon Pon Chapel Marker and Medallion:
Colleton County
Saint Bartholomew
Award
2002
Historic Site
Preservation
Historic and Preservation Society
Inscription.
Pon Pon Chapel. Serving the Community for Many Years. Here on the old stage coach road connecting Charleston to Savannah, the Anglican Pon Pon Chapel of Ease served the Jacksonborough community for many years. The parish of St. Bartholomew's was established in 1706, however its first minister, the Reverend Nathaniel Osborne, did not arrive until 1713. An act of the General Assembly provided for a Chapel of Ease in 1725 and Vestry ordered a brick building to replace the wooden chapel.
During a visit in April 1737, John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, preached twice at the chapel. (photo included) Wesley wrote in his diary about how impressed he was to have had so many from so far to hear his gospel.
Unfortunately, this church was burned during the American Revolution. According to some records, it was rebuilt between 1819 and 1822, (Picture included) and was used until 1832 when it was again destroyed by fire. The site is often referred to today as "The Burnt Church." No effort was made to rebuild the chapel.
Family members continued to use the cemetery. Buried in the cemetery are O'Brien Smith and Aedanus Burke. Smith, the owner of Duharra Plantation, entertained George Washington in 1791 and both Smith and Burke served in the legislature.
(Photo of Pon Pon Chapel ruins prior to stabilization) , The chapel and four acres were deeded to the Colleton Historical Society in 1970 to celebrate the Tricentennial of South Carolina. With additional interest, the Society received a grant from S.C. Archives and History in 1975 to repair the wall of the chapel which had been severely damaged by hurricane Gracie in 1959. The Society in cooperation with others holds various events on the site throughout the year.
(Map of 1775 showing location of earliest St. Bartholomew's chapel on Chehaw)
Here on the old stage coach road connecting
Charleston to Savannah, the Anglican Pon Pon Chapel of Ease served the Jacksonborough
community for many years. The parish of St.
Bartholomew's was established in 1706,
however its first minister, the Reverend Nathaniel Osborne, did not arrive until 1713. An act of the
General Assembly provided for a Chapel of Ease
in 1725 and Vestry ordered a brick building to
replace the wooden chapel.
During a visit in April 1737, John Wesley, the
founder of the Methodist Church, preached
twice at the chapel. (photo included) Wesley
wrote in his diary about how impressed he
was to have had so many from so far to
hear his gospel.
Unfortunately, this church was burned during
the American Revolution. According to
some records, it was rebuilt between 1819
and 1822, (Picture included) and was used
until 1832 when it was again destroyed by fire.
The site is often referred to today as "The
Burnt Church." No effort was made to rebuild
the chapel.
Family members continued to use the
cemetery. Buried in the cemetery are
O'Brien Smith and Aedanus Burke.
Smith, the owner of Duharra Plantation,
entertained George Washington in 1791
and both Smith and Burke served in the
legislature.
(Photo of Pon Pon Chapel ruins prior to stabilization)
The
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chapel and four acres were
deeded to the Colleton Historical
Society in 1970 to celebrate the
Tricentennial of South Carolina. With
additional interest, the Society received
a grant from S.C. Archives and History
in 1975 to repair the wall of the chapel
which had been severely damaged by
hurricane Gracie in 1959. The Society
in cooperation with others holds
various events on the site throughout
the year.
(Map of 1775 showing location of earliest St. Bartholomew's chapel on Chehaw)
Location. 32° 48.527′ N, 80° 29.397′ W. Marker is in Jacksonboro, South Carolina, in Colleton County. Marker is on Parkers Ferry Road. Located in the woods 0.1 miles northeast of Jacksonboro Road (State Road 15-40). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jacksonboro SC 29452, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. John Wesley after the portrait by J.W. L. Forster
Photographed By Pon Pon Chapel Marker, `
4. Postcard of c. 1796 watercolor of Pon Pon Chapel of Ease painted by Charles Fraser
Photographed By Pon Pon Chapel Marker, `
5. Pon Pon Chapel Marker
Photographed By Pon Pon Chapel Marker, `
6. (Map of 1775 showing location of earliest St. Bartholomew's chapel on Chehaw)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 27, 2013
7. Pon Pon Chapel as seen today
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
8. Pon Pon Chapel back side with cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,458 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 6, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
