Church of the Holy Cross (Stateburg, South Carolina)
{{short description|Historic church in South Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Church of the Holy Cross
| nrhp_type = nhl
| image = Stateburg holy cross 1419.JPG
| caption = Historic Church of the Holy Cross
| location = SC 261, 335 N. Kings Hwy.
Stateburg, South Carolina
| coordinates = {{coord|33|57|12|N|80|31|56|W|display=inline,title}}
| area =
| built = 1850–1852
| added = November 7, 1973{{NRISref|2007a}}
| refnum = 73001732
| nrhp_type2 = cp
| nocat = yes
| designated_nrhp_type2 = February 24, 1971
| partof = Stateburg Historic District
| partof_refnum = 71000809
}}
The Church of the Holy Cross is a historic Anglican church at 335 North Kings Highway in Stateburg, South Carolina. Built in 1850-52 to a design by noted South Carolina architect Edward C. Jones, it is a notable example of rammed earth construction with relatively high style Gothic Revival styling. It was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architecture in 1973.
In 2013, the Church of the Holy Cross disaffiliated with the Episcopal Church over disagreement with its direction. The conservative congregation realigned with the Anglican Church in North America.
Description and history
The church stands on the east side of North Kings Highway, west of the city of Sumter. Its walls, constructed of yellow rammed earth, stand {{convert|40|ft|m}} tall, and are covered in stucco, with buttressing at the corners and long sides of its cruciform plan. A tower stands attached to one end, and the steeply pitched roof is finished in tile. Window and door openings are in the shape of Gothic arches. The church interior is painted gray in a manner resembling stone.
The church was built in 1850-52 on land donated earlier by American Revolutionary War General Thomas Sumter. It was designed by Edward C. Jones, one of South Carolina's leading architects. Although he was a prolific designer, a relatively small number of his works survive.{{Cite journal|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Church of the Holy Cross / Holy Cross Episcopal Church - Church of the Holy Cross|url={{NHLS url|id=73001732}} |format=PDF|date=April 23, 1973 |author=Mary Ann Eaddy |publisher=National Park Service}} and {{NHLS url|id=73001732|title=Accompanying one photo, exterior, undated|photos=y}} {{small|(32 KB)}}
Across the road from the church is Borough House Plantation, the historic home and property of Dr. William Wallace Anderson, chairman of the committee that built the church. In 1820, Dr. Anderson had built his own house of rammed earth on his plantation, plus additional outbuildings of the same construction. Several of these survive, and the plantation complex has also been designated as a National Historic Landmark. These landmarks are both included within what is now known as the Stateburg Historic District.
The Church of the Holy Cross is still an active parish. In 2013, it disaffiliated from the Episcopal Church over its direction. The conservative congregation realigned with the Anglican Church in North America, part of the Anglican realignment.{{Cite web|date=2008-08-13|title=Church of the Holy Cross|url=https://www.scpictureproject.org/sumter-county/holy-cross-church-stateburg.html|access-date=2020-08-12|website=SC Picture Project|language=en-US}} The current rector is Fr. Michael E. Ridgill, priest.{{Cite web|title=Find Clergy|url=https://adosc.org/find-clergy/|access-date=2020-08-12|website=The Anglican Diocese South Carolina|language=en-US}}
An 18-month, $2.3 million restoration to repair extensive termite damage was completed in late January 2010 under former rector the Rev. Fr. Thomas W. Allen.[http://www.holycrossstateburg.com/restorephotosmar-aug.html Restoration pictures, March through August 2009]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}[http://www.holycrossstateburg.com/restorelinksaug-feb.html Restoration pictures, August 2009 through February 2010]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web |url=http://www.holycrossstateburg.com/reconsecration.html |title=Reconsecration pictures |access-date=2012-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529015356/http://www.holycrossstateburg.com/reconsecration.html |archive-date=2012-05-29 |url-status=dead }} The church has its original Erben pipe organ, installed in 1851.
Notable burials
- Joel Roberts Poinsett (March 2, 1779 – December 12, 1851), physician, botanist and American statesman. The Poinsettia is named for him.
- George L. Mabry, Jr. (September 14, 1917 – July 13, 1990), Major General, U.S. Army. Medal of Honor recipient.{{cite web |url=http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/states/pages_go/mabry_george.html |title=Photo of Grave site of MOH Recipient George Mabry |access-date=2007-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227195205/http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/states/pages_go/mabry_george.html |archive-date=2005-12-27 |url-status=dead }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Church of the Holy Cross (Stateburg, South Carolina)}}
- [http://www.holycrossstateburg.com/ Church of the Holy Cross, Anglican, Stateburg website]
- [http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/sumter/S10817743002/index.htm Church of the Holy Cross, Sumter County (SC Hwy 261, Stateburg vicinity)], including 8 photos, at South Carolina Department of Archives and History
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060115183444/http://www.sumter-sc-tourism.com/church.html History of Church & Joel R. Poinsett]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170322121059/http://webs.ashlandctc.org/jnapora/hum-faculty/syllabi/trad.html Paper on Rammed Earth with a History of Church of the Holy Cross]
{{National Register of Historic Places in South Carolina}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holy Cross (Stateburg, South Carolina), Church of the}}
Category:Rammed earth buildings and structures
Category:Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in South Carolina
Category:Anglican churches in South Carolina
Category:Cemeteries in South Carolina
Category:Churches in Sumter County, South Carolina
Category:National Historic Landmarks in South Carolina
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Sumter County, South Carolina
Category:Historic district contributing properties in South Carolina
Category:Anglican Church in North America church buildings in the United States
Category:Former Episcopal church buildings in South Carolina
Category:Anglican realignment congregations
Category:19th-century Anglican church buildings in the United States