2604 Ashley River Road
City Directories and History: Established and built in 1706 with later restoration in 1974, 1855 and 1970. Built by Jonathan Finch and Thomas Rose. This is reported to be the oldest church building in S.C.
(St. Andrew’s Parish Church) The present St. Andrews Episcopal Church building dates from 1764 and is cruciform in shape. The first church on site was built ca. 1708, enlarged in 1733, and burned in 1764 and probably rebuilt the same year. With passage of the Church Act in 1706 by the Colonial South Carolina Assembly, this church became one of the administrative centers of colonial government, serving as a place where proclamations and public notices were read and posted, vital statistics were recorded, poor relief was dispensed, and destitute orphans were apprenticed. The building maintains the architectural integrity of a rural colonial parish church of the 1760s.
The use of cast and wrought iron in the balustrade of the alter rail and pulpit is unique. The main entrance is at the west end of the building at the base of the cross. The façade consists of a six-panel double door. In the gable is a clear glass oculus with mullions. Facades of the nave consist of three 12/12 double sashed windows to each side, surmounted by semicircular fan windows. The sides of the transepts have the same type windows as does the nave: one window to a side and a total of four. The gable ends of the transept match the façade of the base of the nave. The chancel contains a single 12/12 window with semicircular window in either side; the chancel façade consists of a centrally placed, but raised, semicircular window. Quoins are located on all outer corners. The cornice at the eaves is denticulated. The nomination includes the cemetery and church school building. Listed in the National Register October 15, 1973. (Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History) Access information on numerous Charleston County and South Carolina churches, by clicking the highlighted S.C. Digital Library name.
View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property.
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