Erected
in 1856-57, the church is on the National Register of
Historic Places. Built of cypress wood, with virgin heart
pine pews, this beautiful building was used to stable Union
horses when Kilpatrick's Calvary marched through Barnwell.
The medieval font in the church was used to water the
horses. Before it was seized, the congregation removed
and buried the stained glass windows to protect them from
the raiders. The windows were later replaced to their
original places after the war.
The
church yard cemetery holds many famous people:
Judge Robert A. Aldrich; Gen. A.P. Butler; William Gilmore
Simms, Jr. distinguished confederate soldier, lawyer and
civic minded citizen - also son of noted author Simms; Dr.
A. Bethune Patterson, state senator; Congressman James O.H.
Patterson; devoted family slave Charlotte, of the Patterson
family; Miss May Brown, who
for many years was head of the Church Home for Ladies in
Charleston; and Solomon Blatt, long-time Speaker of the SC
House of Representatives.
Thanks to many volunteers from the congregation, the
installation of the Britson D105aUS was completed in one
day! The installation included a custom designed and built
15" sub-woofer cabinet to fully develop the pedal stops
even at a very low volume. Voicing to the acoustics of the
room was completed with the Britson Voicing Software and by
speaker placement high up in the balcony. It was our
distinct and rare pleasure to be able to stay for the first
service in which the organ was used. The sound of the
organ was wonderful at the hands of the very capable
organist, Mr. Jay Beasley, and was a welcome change from the
failing Hinners that the Britson replaced. After the
service, the Pastor, Rev. Hank Avent, commented that he was
surprised to actually hear the "wind" in the
"pipes" as the organ played!
Finally,
if you have the opportunity, stop in for a visit any Sunday
morning to hear this great sounding organ. But as a
real bonus you will also find one of the friendliest
churches to be found anywhere...they will make you feel at
home!
A
special thanks to Jay & Jan Beasley (Claire &
Rachael, too), Paul Ringus and son, and Ross McNamara for
your help, hospitality, and graciousness!
Erected
in 1856-57, the church is on the National Register of
Historic Places. Built of cypress wood, with virgin heart
pine pews, this beautiful building was used to stable Union
horses when Kilpatrick's Calvary marched through Barnwell.
The medieval font in the church was used to water the
horses. Before it was seized, the congregation removed
and buried the stained glass windows to protect them from
the raiders. The windows were later replaced to their
original places after the war.
The
church yard cemetery holds many famous people:
Judge Robert A. Aldrich; Gen. A.P. Butler; William Gilmore
Simms, Jr. distinguished confederate soldier, lawyer and
civic minded citizen - also son of noted author Simms; Dr.
A. Bethune Patterson, state senator; Congressman James O.H.
Patterson; devoted family slave Charlotte, of the Patterson
family; Miss May Brown, who
for many years was head of the Church Home for Ladies in
Charleston; and Solomon Blatt, long-time Speaker of the SC
House of Representatives.
Finally,
if you have the opportunity, stop in for a visit any Sunday
morning to hear this great sounding organ. But as a
real bonus you will also find one of the friendliest
churches to be found anywhere...they will make you feel at
home!