City Directories and History: 1940 – Rev. John McSween, 1958 – Rev. Raleigh M. Engle, 1978 – Vacant
Note on the Sanborn Insurance map below, that there is no structure on this site at the time the maps were updated in 1917. But by the 1920’s the house had been constructed as the Purity Presbyterian Church for their manse and was used for that purpose until 1979. Tuscan architectural style columns and windows lintels add character to this otherwise very simply brick home. This home was designed by Rock Hill architect, Mr. Alfred D. Gilchrist in 1922. He has also done extensive work on the Chester Court House and Pryor Hospital in Chester.
Alfred D. Gilchrist was born and educated in Manchester, England and came to America in 1900. In 1912 he arrived in Rock Hill and began practicing architecture. Several building can be attributed to him; Ebenezer School – 1921, Stevenson Theater, Oakland Avenue Pres. Church, and several buildings at Winthrop University. His son, William P. Gilchrist worked as a designer and draftsman with the firm. Following WW II, Gilchrist associated with W. Lewis Cook in the firm Gilchrist and Cook. That firm had buildings including: Woodland Un. Methodist Church, Park Baptist Church and homes and schools. Ms. Bessie L. Garrison, Rock Hill Historical Research Papers #10 – 1952.
This style became synonymous with Mr. Gilchrist and was widely repeated throughout the region.
Visit R&R’s Purity Presbyterian Church site here, and see additional history under the More Information link.
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