History of All Saints Episcopal Church
The small, but very
beautiful, wood-frame sanctuary of All Saints Episcopal Church in Beech Island,
South Carolina, was erected in 1831 as a Presbyterian Church.
The Church had been organized by the evangelist, N. H. Hoyt of
Vermont
who had come south for his health. This
was one of his first assignments as a traveling minister and he became the
first pastor. In 1860, Mr. Hoyt
ordained his son-in-law, the Rev. Edward W. Axson, as minister of the church
and it was here that Rev. Axson was to baptize his daughter, Ellen Louise,
called Ellie Lou.
At that time, Dr. Joseph Wilson, father of Woodrow Wilson, was minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Augusta , Georgia , and an Elder in the Beech Island church. Legend tells us that Woodrow Wilson, as a young boy accompanying his father, held the baby Ellie Lou, his future bride, during her baptism in 1862. Very romantic, if true!
During the climax of the tremendous religious controversy over the justification of slavery in 1860, this quaint church had the honor of being host to the Presbytery. It joined with others throughout the south in forming the Presbyterian Church in the United States, which was organized in Augusta in 1861. It again had the honor of hosting the Presbytery in 1883 and 1903.
At that time, Dr. Joseph Wilson, father of Woodrow Wilson, was minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Augusta , Georgia , and an Elder in the Beech Island church. Legend tells us that Woodrow Wilson, as a young boy accompanying his father, held the baby Ellie Lou, his future bride, during her baptism in 1862. Very romantic, if true!
During the climax of the tremendous religious controversy over the justification of slavery in 1860, this quaint church had the honor of being host to the Presbytery. It joined with others throughout the south in forming the Presbyterian Church in the United States, which was organized in Augusta in 1861. It again had the honor of hosting the Presbytery in 1883 and 1903.
Transition to an Episcopal Church
Although it had weathered
the storms of war and religious dissension, by 1955 its congregation had
become almost extinct. In that
year, an Episcopal Mission, which had been formed in 1950, obtained permission
for the building’s use from the S. C. Presbytery.
Through the magnanimous spirit of the Presbyterians, the church
building, parish hall, and grounds were sold to the Episcopalians for the
modest sum of $5,000. The name “All
Saints” was then chosen.
The conversion of the building to Episcopal convenience was begun with the creation of the center aisle and the building of a simple altar, altar rails, and pulpit. Extreme caution was used to keep the changes within the architectural style of the original structure. That same care was used in 1983 when the Church was enlarged and a sacristy and vesting room were added. The old altar rails were made into a beautiful cross above the altar of the congregation.
The conversion of the building to Episcopal convenience was begun with the creation of the center aisle and the building of a simple altar, altar rails, and pulpit. Extreme caution was used to keep the changes within the architectural style of the original structure. That same care was used in 1983 when the Church was enlarged and a sacristy and vesting room were added. The old altar rails were made into a beautiful cross above the altar of the congregation.
