OLD CHURCHES IN CHARLESTON. BY ROBERT W. SANDERS, GREENVILLE, S. C.
I have read with keen interest the articles in the Veteran, by John Grimball Wilkins, on ''Old Charleston by the Sea.''
I was a Confederate soldier in and around Charleston parts of the years 1864-65, and was pastor of one of the oldest Churches of the city since the war, and, therefore, aside from other reasons, I feel a special interest in all the history of this great old metropolis from her foundation to the present. Since the close of the war, I have visited many historical points, both in and around Charleston, all of which reawakened and intensified my interest in and appreciation of the wonderful and important history of the city during the Revolution, the War of 1812, and particularly the War between the States. I could chronicle many items of public interest involved in the history of Charleston, extending over the long period of time from the first settlement of '' Charles Town"' down to the present. But my main purpose now is to offer brief references to the old historic churches of the city. Among the oldest of the Christian bodies of which mention has been made in the Veteran are the conspicuous ones known as St. Phillip's, St. Michael's, and the old French Huguenot churches. They merit all the publicity that has been accorded them, and even more.
But there are other historic Churches of great influence and prominence in the same old '' City by the Sea"' that have always and justly exerted a tremendous influence for good during many years now gone by. There is the old Circular Church (Congregational) on Meeting Street, hoary with the age of centuries. Then also the old First Presbyterian Church, St. John's Lutheran Church, and the old First Baptist Church on Church Street. Since I am personally better acquainted with the last named, having been for several
INTERIOR OF OLD CHURCH, WITH ENGLISH COAT OF ARMS OVER THE CHANCEL.
Veteran. 175
RUINS OF OLD ST. GEORGE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, DORCHESTER, NEAR CHARLESTON, BUILT IN 1698.
years the pastor thereof, I feel better qualified to speak of that church than of any other church in the old city.
The First Baptist Church of Charleston was organized at Kittery, in Maine, in 1682. It was transferred to Charleston and there located in 1683. The move was largely brought about by political conditions that affected some religious organizations in New England during colonial times. -The first church edifice occupied was a plain one on King Street. The present building—very substantial, beautiful in Grecian architecture, lovely on the exterior and interior—has stood from the "long ago'' to this day on: Church Street, fronting eastward between Tradd and Water Streets and close by the famous ''East Battery.'' The illustrious and able Rev. Dr. Richard Furman, Sr., was pastor there for thirty-eight consecutive years, 1787-1825. His father moved from New York to Daniel's Island, near ''Charles Town,"' years before the Revolution, and owned a large estate on that island. From there he moved to a large landed property on the Wateree River in the 'High Hills of Santee,'' where young Richard was reared and where he was a pastor until 1787.
Though quite young at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he became at once a most influential spirit in the struggle for independence and exerted himself in behalf of deliverance from English rule. Cornwallis offered £1,000 ($5,000) for his head, but failed to effect Furman's decapitation. Not long after the Revolution he became the pastor of the old First Baptist Church in Charleston, in which position he served until his death, August, 1825. His remains rest in this old church cemetery, the grave being impressively marked by a suitable marble slab that covers it. A beautiful memorial tablet to his honor occupies a conspicuous place on the interior of the church building, which, including the galleries, would probably seat a thousand people. During the War between the States, a shell hurled from Morris Island by the Federal artillery fell in this old Baptist church burying ground, dislocating the marble slab over the grave of this great patriot and preacher, Dr. Richard Furman, Sr., but it was afterwards replaced, and the wellworded inscription on it may be read to-day by any visitor
who cares to know something of a great man, famous minister, and most heroic patriot. He was known and honored throughout the United States.
By special invitation and arrangement in Washington, D. C., he preached an impressive sermon to the United States Congress, being signally honored by the President on this visit to the Capital of the nation for whose independence he had shown his willingness to give his earthly life and all of his possessions.