Christ Church (Greenville, South Carolina)
Encyclopedia
Christ Church is an Episcopal church in Greenville, South Carolina
, United States
. which was consecrated in 1854. The church and its courtyard are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as Christ Church (Episcopal) and Churchyard. It is the oldest organized religious body and the oldest church building remaining in Greenville.
as Christ Church Parish.
In 1845, the parish proposed the building of a new church. Joel Poinsett, who was a vestryman of the church, drew up plans. Since these were felt to too elaborate and unaffordable, construction was delayed and Poinsett died. Rev. John D. McCollough, who had designed and built over a dozen churches in upstate South Carolina, drew the final plans and built the church. The cornerstone was laid on May 29, 1852. It contained religious books, church and diocesan publications in a sealed copper box.
The nave
of the brick Gothic church was originally 80 ft (24 m) long and 39 ft (12 m) wide. There were five lancet windows on each side. The west end had five narrow stained glass
windows, which has been described as a "pentaphlet," and an art glass circular window depicting the Holy Trinity
. The chancel
had a triplet window in the chancel depicting Christ
, St. John
, and St. Peter. The peaked ceiling was 65 ft (20 m) tall. Although several sources, quoting a 1856 article in the Southern Episcopalian, say that the brick bell tower is 130 ft (40 m) tall, the 1934 architectural drawings indicate that is 104.67 ft (31.9 m) tall from the top of the foundation to the base of its cross. The church was consecrated on September 29, 1854.
A balcony was added in 1875. The south transept
was constructed in 1880. In 1914, the triplex window in the chancel was replaced with a stained glass window of the Last Supper
from Franz Mayer & Co.
in Munich
This window was dedicated to Ellison Capers
, who was a Confederate general
, rector in 1866 to 1888, and Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. In 1968, the north transept was built to complete the Gothic cruciform
design, and an undercroft
was added. In 2000, the balcony was enlarged and a 68-rank Goulding and Wood organ was installed.
The Historic American Building Survey took photographs of the church and made architectural drawings in 1934. The drawings include a site plan and drawings of various details of the church.
Christ Church is now in the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
. It sponsors Christ Church Episcopal School
in Greenville.
provisional Governor Benjamin Franklin Perry
, his son, U.S. Congressman
William H. Perry
, and U.S. Senator
Joseph H. Earle
.
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. which was consecrated in 1854. The church and its courtyard are listed on 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...
as Christ Church (Episcopal) and Churchyard. It is the oldest organized religious body and the oldest church building remaining in Greenville.
History
In March, 1820, Reverend Rodolphus Dickerson founded St. James Mission in the village of Greenville Court House. In 1825, Vardry McBee, who was an early industrialist in Greenville, gave 4 acre (1.6 ha) for the church. The cornerstone was laid on September 15, 1825. The brick church was 55 ft (17 m) long and 30 ft (9 m) wide. The first service was held on June 18, 1826. The church was accepted into the Episcopal Diocese of South CarolinaEpiscopal 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...
as Christ Church Parish.
In 1845, the parish proposed the building of a new church. Joel Poinsett, who was a vestryman of the church, drew up plans. Since these were felt to too elaborate and unaffordable, construction was delayed and Poinsett died. Rev. John D. McCollough, who had designed and built over a dozen churches in upstate South Carolina, drew the final plans and built the church. The cornerstone was laid on May 29, 1852. It contained religious books, church and diocesan publications in a sealed copper box.
The nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
of the brick Gothic church was originally 80 ft (24 m) long and 39 ft (12 m) wide. There were five lancet windows on each side. The west end had five narrow stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows, which has been described as a "pentaphlet," and an art glass circular window depicting the Holy Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
. The chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
had a triplet window in the chancel depicting Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
, St. John
John the Apostle
John the Apostle, John the Apostle, John the Apostle, (Aramaic Yoħanna, (c. 6 - c. 100) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of James, another of the Twelve Apostles...
, and St. Peter. The peaked ceiling was 65 ft (20 m) tall. Although several sources, quoting a 1856 article in the Southern Episcopalian, say that the brick bell tower is 130 ft (40 m) tall, the 1934 architectural drawings indicate that is 104.67 ft (31.9 m) tall from the top of the foundation to the base of its cross. The church was consecrated on September 29, 1854.
A balcony was added in 1875. The south transept
Transept
For the periodical go to The Transept.A transept is a transverse section, of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In Christian churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture...
was constructed in 1880. In 1914, the triplex window in the chancel was replaced with a stained glass window of the Last Supper
Last Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
from Franz Mayer & Co.
Franz Mayer & Co.
Franz Mayer & Co. is a famous German stained glass design and manufacturing company, based in Munich, Germany, that has been active throughout most of the world for over 150 years...
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
This window was dedicated to Ellison Capers
Ellison Capers
Ellison Capers was a school teacher, Confederate general in the American Civil War, theologian, and college administrator from South Carolina.-Early life:...
, who was a Confederate general
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
, rector in 1866 to 1888, and Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. In 1968, the north transept was built to complete the Gothic cruciform
Cathedral diagram
In Western ecclesiastical architecture, a cathedral diagram is a floor plan showing the sections of walls and piers, giving an idea of the profiles of their columns and ribbing. Light double lines in perimeter walls indicate glazed windows. Dashed lines show the ribs of the vaulting overhead...
design, and an undercroft
Undercroft
An undercroft is traditionally a cellar or storage room, often brick-lined and vaulted, and used for storage in buildings since medieval times. In modern usage, an undercroft is generally a ground area which is relatively open to the sides, but covered by the building above.- History :While some...
was added. In 2000, the balcony was enlarged and a 68-rank Goulding and Wood organ was installed.
The Historic American Building Survey took photographs of the church and made architectural drawings in 1934. The drawings include a site plan and drawings of various details of the church.
Christ Church is now in the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina is a diocese in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America .Originally part of the Diocese of South Carolina, it became independent on October 10-11, 1922 following nearly two years of planning. The see city is Columbia. Its cathedral is...
. It sponsors Christ Church Episcopal School
Christ Church Episcopal School
Christ Church Episcopal School is an independent school in Greenville, South Carolina serving approximately 1,000 students in grades P-12. Located on a 72-acre campus, the campus is home to eight major buildings: Lower School , Middle School , Upper School Christ Church Episcopal School (CCES) is...
in Greenville.
Churchyard
The churchyard has a cemetery. In addition to Vardry McBee, clergy, church members, and former mayors, three politicians are interred: the post-Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
provisional Governor Benjamin Franklin Perry
Benjamin Franklin Perry
Benjamin Franklin Perry was the 72nd Governor of South Carolina, appointed by President Andrew Johnson in 1865 after the end of the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
, his son, U.S. Congressman
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
William H. Perry
William H. Perry
William Hayne Perry was a United States Representative from South Carolina. He was born in Greenville, South Carolina, where he attended Greenville Academy, and graduated from Furman University at Greenville in 1857...
, and U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Joseph H. Earle
Joseph H. Earle
Joseph Haynsworth Earle was a United States Senator from South Carolina. Born in Greenville, he attended private schools in Sumter. He was a first year cadet at the South Carolina Military Academy at the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in the Confederate Army...
.