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St. Helena's Episcopal
Church
BEAUFORT
An interesting example of early Colonial
architecture is St. Helena's Episcopal Church, in Beaufort.
With the exception of the steeple, which is one hundred and
eighteen feet high, it is constructed of brick, finished in
smooth cement stucco, and has fine exterior proportions. The
original steeple was destroyed by a storm before the
Confederate War, and the present one erected within the past
few years. This picturesque building is enclosed by a high
brick wall, and is closely shaded by large moss covered
trees.
St. Helena's has the unusual record of having
been in continuous religious activities for about two hundred
and twenty-five years.
The parish was established in
1712 and the building finished in 1724. Twice since, it has
been enlarged.
The silver communion plate, given by
Captain John Bull in memory of his wife, who was carried off
by the Yamasee Indians in the uprising of 1715, is still in
possession of the church.
In 1861, the furniture,
including the organ, was removed and the building used as a
hospital for Union Soldiers. It is said that the tombstones
were used as operating tables.
From this congregation
have gone out forty-one ministers, five of whom became
bishops. Among the many interesting old tombs in the
churchyard, which covers an entire city square, is that of
Colonel John (Tuscarora Jack) Barnwell, an Irishman who came
to Carolina in 1701 and won his sobriquet by his distinguished
leadership in quelling uprisings of the Tuscarora Indians. In
addition to being a distinguished Indian fighter, he was
chosen as a diplomatic representative to present the cause of
the colonists in England when South Carolina revolted in 1719
against the Lords Proprietors.
BY
HAZEL CROWSON SELLERS
South Carolina Churches
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