This Building Has History ™
Name: Episcopal Church of Our Saviour
Architect: Rev. John D. McCullough
Constructed: Ca. 1872
The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour at 140 Caldwell Street, while not the oldest congregation in Rock Hill, occupies the oldest church sanctuary. The building at the corner of Caldwell and East White Streets was built in 1872 as a simple Gothic Revival frame chapel with board and batten siding. It has undergone a number of changes over the years. In 1895, the vestibule was added. In 1908, the greatest alterations took place, when the transepts, chancel, and tower were added and the church was encased in brick. The two-story tower has a crenellated parapet, buttresses at the corners, and pointed arched openings with wood shutters. The first stained glass windows were added at this time as well. Additional impressive windows have been placed in the church over the years. In 1922 the Parish Hall was constructed adjacent to the sanctuary along Oakland Avenue. This building contained the first indoor gymnasium available to the public in Rock Hill. In 1963, the nave of the church was enlarged on both sides and the front porch was added. The Parish hall was demolished in 1990 and a new one erected on the same site, with space for classrooms, offices, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.
The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour retains its Gothic Revival character even though it has undergone extensive changes over the years, and it contributes to the varied and rich church architecture in the downtown area. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Rock Hill Downtown Historic District. (Written by Paul M. Gettys – 2015)
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Sept. 14, 1887 – “The town council of York approved a request of the building committee of the Episcopal Church to erect a one story frame building on the lot adjoining Mr. J.O. Walker on Main Street to be used as a rectory.” (This project needed approval under a new ordinance requiring a permit to build wooden buildings in certain areas of Yorkville.)
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Roots and Recall LLC, The City of Rock Hill, The York County Arts Council, & The S.C. Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.
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