700 Highmarket Street
City Directories and History: Prince George, Winyah Parish, among the oldest parishes in South Carolina, was formed in 1721. Its church possesses a handsome Jacobean gable which is one of two noteworthy examples remaining in South Carolina. The church, ca. 1750, is a rectangular handmade brick building with a semicircular apse at the east end and vestibule at the west. From the vestibule and at the roof line rises a square tower, terminating with octagonal sections.
One section contains the clock, the other is an arcaded belfry with balustrade, crowned by a cupola like roof and a large cross. The tower and chancel were added in 1824. It was occupied by British troops during the Revolution, at which time the interior was badly burned. The interior features a central aisle leading to the altar in the apse, old box pews, handmade woodwork, a flagstone floor, organ, and choir gallery in the west end. The church and cemetery are surrounded by a wall of molded handmade brick. The church house, ca. 1825, across the street is part of the Georgetown Historic District. Listed in the National Register May 6, 1971. [Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History]
R&R HISTORY LINK: NATIONAL REGISTER – IMAGE(S)
St. Mary’s Chapel fell into disuse in the early years of this century, and before it accidentally burned in July, 1931, Bishop Albert S. Thomas writes that its furnishings had been given to neighboring churches: to Prince George, the stained glass, clock and bell, and gold cup with cover, and paten; to Grace, Camden, an English granite font in which all the Hagley slaves had been baptised; to Prince Frederick’s, carved oak choir stalls; to St. James’, James Island, Bible, Prayer Book, Altar Book, oak book rest. Some handsome marble tombstones marked graves of former slaves. Governor Allston erected one inscribed “In Memory of my Servant, Thomas, Carpenter. Honest and True, he died, as for forty years he had lived, my Faithful Friend. 1850.” (Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC)
Postcard image courtesy of the Revels Collection – 2015
Images courtesy of Bill Segars – 2015
Click here to learn more on this structure and the Georgetown Historic District.
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IMAGE GALLERY via photographer Bill Segars
