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The
Church of Epiphany
—Laurens
Just when this
Episcopal church was built in Laurens is not known, but the
records of the Diocesan Convention for 1846 contain its
application for admission as
a member of the Convention, and state that Dr. A. Bailey took
his seat as lay delegate from the Church of Epiphany. The history of the church rests
largely on tradition, but it is generally accepted as true
that two brothers, Dr. A. Bailey and R. S. Bailey, came to Laurens from Edisto,
founded one of the earliest newspapers to be published in the
Up Country, and built one of the first Episcopal churches.
The
land on which the structure was built was a gift from Colonel
James H. Irby. The building is of brick, with portico and tall
pillars in front. There was
at first no altar or other church furnishings. On July 18,1850
the church was consecrated. Services were held irregularly by visiting
clergymen.
The Confederate War brought refugees from
the Low Country to Laurens, and many of them were
Episcopalians, which was a great help to the church. During the days of
Reconstruction, the church was closed and the parish reported
"dormant". In 1882 there were only four Episcopalians, all of whom were
women, in Laurens.
The Church of Epiphany owes much to
the Reverend W. S. Holmes, who took charge of it in 1894. He
was instrumental in repairing the building and adding new pews, altar,
and pipe organ, and in giving new life to a fine little
church, which is now active and progressive.
BY
HAZEL CROWSON SELLERS
South Carolina Churches
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