The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Oct. 25, 1877 – “The Chester Pres. congregation has been worshiping for a short time in the ARP church. Their church is undergoing a total interior renovation. The church will reopen next Sunday.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on March 6, 1884 – “The Pres. Church will repair storm damages to their building. At the same time, they will make changes to the interior arrangement. Later on April 10th they reported, “Mr. C.W. Winn is making progress with his work on the Presbyterian Church. He expects that the repairs will be completed by May 1st. The interior work includes the removal of galleries and adding a recess for the pulpit.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on April 23, 1890 – “Mr. Joel Simrill, the contractor, began last week on the Pres. Church and the workman have torn down nearly all the front of the building prior to putting up the new front. While the work is in progress, the congregation will use the courthouse for worship.”
135 Wylie Street
City Directories and History: Purity Presbyterian church, (originally established as Bull Run Church), has a rich history of contributions to the community. It moved to the present location after construction in 1854. It was dedicated on 1/21/1855 and was much simpler in style originally. Prior to that,
they had met since circa 1840 at the Presbyterian Lecture Room on West End Street. The fine new church functioned well until it was remodeled heavily in the early 1890’s, the central tower was removed at this stage and an additional 25 ft of space added to the front of the church. Other changes at this time included the addition of the second tower, stain-glassed windows were added and the new organ was purchased to add to the religious services of the congregation. Rev. George Sumney has been credited with designing the outstanding windows and the contractor for this renovation was J.R. Simrill, an excellent Chester contractor. Later additions to the campus include the 1916 addition of the stone Sunday School building by Taylors-Water Construction Company of Columbia, S.C.
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Jan. 14, 1891 – “The new church organ recently purchased by the church and which was to be delivered, has been destroyed by fire at Boston, Mass.”
The Yorkville Enquirer on Jan. 21, 1891 reported – “The Presbyterian church is undergoing a thorough overhaul, including fresh paint, inside and out and a new carpet.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on March 25, 1891 – “The Presbyterian church in Chester recently purchased a new pipe organ at a cost of $1,400. Also on March 18 the paper reported, “The new organ for the Pres. Church has arrived and is being installed by an expert from the manufacturer in Boston.”
The Chester News reported on July 14, 1916 – “The cornerstone was laid to the new Sunday School Building at Purity Pres. Church. The pastor is A.D.P. Gilmour. The church members began raising funds three years ago and have raised $20,000., they expect to complete the building by fall, and it includes 25 classrooms and an auditorium.”
See PDF attachment under the primary picture, More Information. Also: GUIDE TO PRESBYTERIAN NAMES AND PLACES IN SC by J.B. Martin, III – 1989
Gothic Revival architecture constructed in 1854.
Informative link: National Register as well as #147 York St – Manse
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