.gif)
Church of the Holy Cross (Stateburg, South Carolina)
Encyclopedia
Church of the Holy Cross, also known as the Holy Cross Episcopal Church, is an historic church in Stateburg
, in the High Hills of Santee
near Sumter, South Carolina
. It is located on land donated earlier by General Thomas Sumter
, a resident of Stateburg, and its walls were constructed of rammed earth
. Across the road from the church is Borough House Plantation
, the home of Dr. William Wallace Anderson
, chairman of the committee that built the church. In 1820, Dr. Anderson had built his own house of rammed earth on the plantation. With its additional rammed earth outbuildings, the plantation complex is also a National Historic Landmark
.
In 1973, Holy Cross was added to the National Register of Historic Places
, and was declared a National Historic Landmark
. Joel Roberts Poinsett
and many other 19th century South Carolinians are buried in Holy Cross' historic churchyard.
The Church of the Holy Cross is still an active parish in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina
. The Rev. Thomas W. Allen is the current rector.
An 18-month, $2.3 million restoration to repair extensive termite damage was completed late January of 2010.
Stateburg, South Carolina
Stateburg is a census-designated place in the High Hills of Santee in Sumter County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,264 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sumter, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, in the High Hills of Santee
High Hills of Santee
The High Hills of Santee, sometimes known as the High Hills of the Santee, is a long, narrow hilly region in the western part of Sumter County, South Carolina. It has been called "one of the state's most famous areas". The High Hills of Santee region lies north of the Santee River and east of the...
near Sumter, South Carolina
Sumter, South Carolina
-Demographics:, there were 59,180 people, 34,717 households, and 4,049 families living in the city. The population density was 4,469.5 people per square mile . There were 416,032 housing units at an average density of 603.0 per square mile...
. It is located on land donated earlier by General Thomas Sumter
Thomas Sumter
Thomas Sumter nicknamed the "Carolina Gamecock" , was a hero of the American Revolution and went on to become a longtime member of the Congress of the United States.-Early life:Thomas Sumter was born near Charlottesville in Hanover County, Virginia in 1734...
, a resident of Stateburg, and its walls were constructed of rammed earth
Rammed earth
Rammed earth, also known as taipa , tapial , and pisé , is a technique for building walls using the raw materials of earth, chalk, lime and gravel. It is an ancient building method that has seen a revival in recent years as people seek more sustainable building materials and natural building methods...
. Across the road from the church is Borough House Plantation
Borough House Plantation
Borough House Plantation, also known as Borough House, Hillcrest Plantation and Anderson Place, is an historic place in Stateburg, in the High Hills of Santee near Sumter, South Carolina....
, the home of Dr. William Wallace Anderson
William Wallace Anderson
William Wallace Anderson was a medical doctor and was involved in architecture of rammed earth construction in South Carolina. He was the father of Confederate General Richard H. Anderson...
, chairman of the committee that built the church. In 1820, Dr. Anderson had built his own house of rammed earth on the plantation. With its additional rammed earth outbuildings, the plantation complex is also a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
In 1973, Holy Cross was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, and was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. Joel Roberts Poinsett
Joel Roberts Poinsett
Joel Roberts Poinsett was a physician, botanist and American statesman. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives, the first United States Minister to Mexico , a U.S...
and many other 19th century South Carolinians are buried in Holy Cross' historic churchyard.
The Church of the Holy Cross is still an active parish in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina
Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina
The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America covering an area of 24 counties in the eastern part of the state of South Carolina. Its see city is Charleston, home to the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul and Diocesan House. There are...
. The Rev. Thomas W. Allen is the current rector.
An 18-month, $2.3 million restoration to repair extensive termite damage was completed late January of 2010.
Notable burials
- Joel Roberts PoinsettJoel Roberts PoinsettJoel Roberts Poinsett was a physician, botanist and American statesman. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives, the first United States Minister to Mexico , a U.S...
(March 2, 1779 – December 12, 1851), physicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, botanist and American statesmanStatesmanA statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
. The PoinsettiaPoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima, commonly known as Zack Wood or noche buena, is a species of flowering plant indigenous to Mexico and Central America. The name "poinsettia" is after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant into the US in 1825...
is named for him. - George L. Mabry, Jr.George L. Mabry, Jr.George Lafayette Mabry, Jr. was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in World War II....
(September 14, 1917-July 13, 1990), Major General, U.S. Army. Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient.
See also
- List of Registered Historic Places in South Carolina
- List of National Historic Landmarks in South Carolina
- Stateburg Historic DistrictStateburg Historic DistrictThe Stateburg Historic District is a historic district in Stateburg, in the High Hills of Santee area near Sumter,South Carolina in the United States. It includes two National Historic Landmarks, Borough House Plantation and the Church of the Holy Cross, and at least eight contributing properties...
External links
- Church of the Holy Cross, Episcopal, Stateburg website
- Church of the Holy Cross, Sumter County (SC Hwy 261, Stateburg vicinity), including 8 photos, at South Carolina Department of Archives and History
- History of Church & Joel R. Poinsett
- Paper on Rammed Earth with a History of Church of the Holy Cross
- Paying Homage to One of SC's Fallen, Buried at The Church of the Holy Cross, Cotton Boll Conspiracy, May 30, 2011