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Church of the Cross

Introduction

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Designed by architect E.B. White, Church of the Cross is a historic church built in 1857. Its significance lies primarily its in design. It is a fine example of the Carpenter Gothic architecture and is known for its wood construction, which gives it a rustic appearance. The exterior was built using board and batten framing and the interior features an open timbered roof. The church is home to an Anglican congregation and is part of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina.

Images

Church of the Cross was built in 1857 in the Carpenter Gothic style. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Plant, Cloud, Sky, Building

Window, Building, Wood, Table

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

It is unclear whether the congregation was established before 1857 but religious worship had been present in the Bluffton area since 1767, when St. Luke's Parish was established. A chapel was built near the present location of Church of the Cross by 1842. In addition to its wood-frame construction, the church also features Gothic windows with rose-colored glass manufactured in England and latticed shutters. The interior walls are covered in pink plaster. During the Civil War, the church was not harmed but the congregation fled and services only began again in 1870. The church bell was apparently removed during the war but was reinstalled in 1898. Over the years, a number of changes have been made to the church and the surrounding grounds, including the construction of the first rectory in 1986. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Sources

"Centuries of Tradition." Church of the Cross. Accessed February 17, 2021. https://thechurchofthecross.net/who-we-are/our-history.

Dixon, Nenie. "Church of the Cross." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. May 29, 1975. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/0e4b9ba5-280a-4bfc-95b9-d0c5a569c539.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Both images via Wikimedia Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Cross

Additional Information