The Old Brick Church
turns 240
Betty W. Delk
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, on the last day of the St. Stephen Catfish Tournament, celebrated two hundred and forty years of services in the “Brick Church”. Although the church was established in 1754, the brick building was begun in 1767, and finished in 1769.
The St. Stephen’s Outreach Committee, chaired by The Rev. Deacon William (Chip) Holmes began planning the re-creation event in February.
St. Stephen’s Vicar, The Rev. Jeffery R. Richardson began the service at 11:00 a.m.. He used the Form for Holy Communion from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Rev. Richardson was joined by the Rev. Daniel Clarke, Jr, from the Church of the Holy Communion in Charleston. Clergy, many of the church members and visitors wore costumes of the time for the Event.
Dr. Norman Sinkler Walsh, MD, author and photographer of “Plantations, Pineland Villages, Pinopolis and Its People, and his family were present for the celebration. Dr. Walsh came as his ancestor, James Sinkler (1740-1800) who was a former warden and vestryman at St. Stephen’s. With Dr. Walsh, was his wife, Marcy Stony Walsh also in costume. His cousin, Harriett Clare Sinkler Little, dressed as James Sinkler’s third wife, Margaret Cantey Sinkler.
Dr. Walsh and Harriett Little have a letter stating the Pew #18, in the Old Brick Church was purchased for James Sinkler’s mother, Jane, as her personal pew in 1762, and according to the letter, the pew still belongs to her descendants.
James Sinkler was the owner of the following plantations: Old Effingham, Home Place, Lequeuxs, Belvedere, and Flower-Canes. James also owned a home on Meeting Street in Charleston. Significantly, it was James Sinkler who conducted the successful experiment in 1793 which lead to the settlement of the Village of Pineville, SC in 1794.
Other descendants of the James Sinkler family were present and costumed. These included Keith and Betty Gourdin, and the Rev. Dan Clarke, Jr. Rev Clarke gave two presentations of history about the Old Brick Church.
The family picnic which followed consisted of food of the period, cooked and served from old cast iron pots in the church yard. There was “Pine Bark Stew (catfish stew), with fish sauce, French Rice Pilaf, Spoon Bread, cakes for dessert from the Cake Baking Contest, Lemonade and Dixie Tea. Everyone enjoyed the recipes from “long ago”. There were many compliments to the “cooks” Scott Sauls, Jim Tuten, Teddy Phillips Sr. Patty Richardson, Sharon Mock, and Scotty Hoffman along with others.
Young and old enjoyed the old games. They jumped “rope” (a vine), walking on cans, checkers, spin the top, hoop racing, and making sock dolls.
Nancy Holmes of Moncks Corner won the cash prize (First Place) in “Cake Baking Contest”, with ten entries. Her cake was called “Ester’s Gift”. Ten beautiful cakes were presented for judging, and then donated as “dessert”. Charles Lowder was the cash prize winner of a very long Horseshoe Throwing Tournament for the men.
Channel 2 News from Charleston sent a photographer to film and record the event. That was truly a surprise. They reported the event as their “News 2 Big Story, for the Day”. Two “interviews” made the “cut”, and there were lots of pictures and comments. It was noted that there were American Revolutionary and Civil War ancestral cemetery markers surrounding the church. The original bricks are still there, two of them with the “signatures” of the Master Brick Makers. The Vicar stated, “The celebration was an opportunity to reach out to the community, get to know them better, and find out how to better serve them.
The members of the congregation thank everyone for their support, especially the St. Stephen Catfish Festival folk, the many visitors who came in costume to participate, and the ladies who entered the Cake Baking Contest and donated the cakes as dessert.
The historical church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information email Rev. Jeff Richardson at stepchsc@tds.net or visit the church website at www.ststephenschurchsc.org.
A Family Bicycle Ride
The Palmetto Conservation Foundation’s Hell Hole Outdoor Center, 1174 North Main Street, is proud to host a family bike event on April 18. During the Ducks, Dams, and Dikes bike ride, participants will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Lake Moultrie as they bicycle around the Rediversion Canal. Registrations are required and need to be submitted by April 4. Price for Adults $15, and children $5 (under 16), includes lunch. All proceeds will benefit the bike trail. Approved bicycle helmets are required. A limited amount of helmets will be available to rent for $5. Participants are to provide their own bicycle. Street bicycles are suitable, due to a very smooth surface for the route. If more information is needed, visit website: www.sstvisitorsc.org or contact Betty Delk 843-567-4480 or email sstvisitorsc@tds.net or hellholecenter@palmettoconservation.org
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