History

Franklin at Washington Streets

PO Box 466

Barnwell, South Carolina 29812-0466

(803) 259-3378

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Barnwell Court House Presbyterian Church was organized by Boiling Springs Church and Frederick Jay Hay and James H. Thornwell. Hay was a surveyor engaged to lay out the town of Barnwell. Thornwell later became president of the University of South Carolina and is the man whom Thornwell Orphanage is named.

1840s

Hay set aside land on the corner of Washington and Franklin streets as the site for the Presbyterian Church. Land was probably donated by Hay, although one reference states that land was given by Edwin A. Hagood, whose name was listed on the first town map for the county seat.

1846

Barnwell Church was built. Some references say it was completed in 1848 with virgin pine timber donated from the land of Edwin A. Hagood. Carpenters were Hagood, Hay, and Gantt.

1852

Barnwell Presbyterian Church was dedicated. It may have paid all its debts this year and officially absorbed the Boiling Springs Church.

1865

Sherman's Army, under general Kilpatrick, held court in the church, and it was occupied as a courthouse until 1868. Court was held here on occasion until the new courthouse was built in 1880.

1891

Lightning struck the steeple and destroyed it. It was not replaced.

1952

The present Fellowship Hall was built as a Sunday School addition. The church was repainted and a central heating system was added. It was remodeled in 1968 to match the new church.

1961

The Holland House, next door on Washington, was purchased and converted into a Sunday School building. It was removed in 1982 to make room for a church parking lot.

1967

The building erected in the 1840s was relocated to face Academy Street and donated to the Barnwell County Historical Preservation Commission. It is listed in the National Register of Historic sites and has been restored for use in the performing arts by the Circle Theatre. In 1987 the inside was remodeled and new opera seats added.

1967

The contract for the present church was let on April 20 and ground was broken on May 7. The first service was held on December 24 of that year.

1981

The present sanctuary was paid for in full in February, leaving the church debt free. On February 15 the congregation approved plans for a new educational building. On March 1 the congregation approved incorporating the church and a bond sale program to finance the new facility. On March 11 bids were opened for the new educational wing. At the right is the present day sanctuary.

1982

The new educational building was dedicated with Milton Wilmesherr as minister. The Educational Building is shown in the photo at the right.

1982

Jennings Owens donated a house and lot for a future parking lot and the house was later removed in 1986.

1994

Fellowship Hall was remodeled adding new kitchen, bath rooms, storage room, acoustical ceiling and lights, central air conditioning, carpet and vinyl walls. Also, the parking lot was paved with 65 parking spaces.

1994

Sold the church manse and purchased the church annex property.

1998

The church annex was donated to Ashleigh Place (Girl's Home) to make room for a future Family Life Center.

1998