• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

First Baptist Church of Beech Island

SC PICTURE PROJECT Leave a Comment

SC Picture Project / Aiken County / First Baptist Church of Beech Island

Beech Island in Aiken County began as one of South Carolina’s earliest settlements. Established in 1685 as Savanno Town – also spelled Savanna Town – the village sat atop a bluff overlooking the Savannah River and was named for its first occupants, the Savannah Indians. The community originally functioned as a trading post, and a fortification, Fort Moore, was built here following the Yemassee War of 1715. The settlement became known as Beech Island sometime in the 1700s, though the origins of this name remain a mystery.

Beech Island First Baptist Church

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Nearby Silver Bluff Baptist Church formed in the area during the mid-1700s. Other churches followed suit, and by the early nineteenth century the community boasted Capers Methodist Church and Beech Island Presbyterian Church, now named All Saints Episcopal.

Beech Island Baptist Church

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

This congregation, first called Beech Island Baptist, formed in 1832 in a school known as Beech Island Academy. Shortly afterwards, this church was built on land donated by James T. Gardner and Abner Whatley. It was dedicated in September of that same year. The two-story building included a slave gallery on the second floor, and about 40 to 50 slaves attended church with their owners prior to Emancipation. Today the second floor continues to be used as seating for worship.

Beech Island Baptist Interior

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

When the church was founded, it had 22 charter members. 130 years later – in 1962 – the congregation changed its name to First Baptist Church of Beech Island. A modern brick building was added to the church campus in the twentieth century and sits adjacent to the original sanctuary.

<--img src="http://scpictureproject.org/wp-content/uploads/beech-island-baptist-cemetery.jpg" alt="Beech Island Cemetery" width="434" height="650" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-53304" />

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Beech Island Church and Marker

John Nelson of Columbia, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Beech Island Baptist Marker Front

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Beech Island Baptist Marker Back

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

First Baptist Church of Beech Island Info


Address: 170 Church Road, Beech island, SC 29842
GPS Coordinates: 33.430282,-81.868515

First Baptist Church of Beech Island Map



Take Me There

Plan Your Trip: First Baptist Church of Beech Island

Where is First Baptist Church of Beech Island located?
Address: 170 Church Road, Beech island, SC 29842
GPS Coordinates: 33.430282,-81.868515
What else should I see?
Redcliffe Plantation 1.3 miles
Silver Bluff Baptist Church 3.1 miles
Capers Chapel Methodist Church 3.7 miles
Zubly Cemetery 4 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Beech Island Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Churches
    First Baptist Church of Beech Island Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Storm Branch BaptistStorm Branch Cultural Center Capers ChapelCapers Chapel Methodist Church Susan Union BaptistSusan Union Church St. Mary's in Aiken, SCSt. Mary Help of Christians Church The Cedars in Aiken SCThe Cedars

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved