Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church — Barnwell, South Carolina
SC Picture Project | Barnwell County | Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church
The Boiling Springs community of Barnwell is home to this simple wooden church in the pines. The church was organized in 1842 by Reverend James H. Thornwell, a well-known Presbyterian theologian from Marlboro County who also served as president of South Carolina College from 1851 until 1855, now the University of South Carolina.
Reverend Thornwell later taught at Columbia Theological Seminary, originally located at the Robert Mills House in Columbia and now located in Atlanta, Georgia. Reverend Thornwell is known for his pro-slavery stance, which was at times a topic of his sermons and religious writings. The Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton was named for him.
After serving the people of Boiling Springs for four years, Boiling Springs Presbyterian began holding services every other Sunday beginning in 1846. On the alternate Sundays its then-minister, Reverend Samuel H. Hay, would preach at a newer nearby church. Eventually, the two churches merged and became Barnwell Presbyterian Church. In 1896 Boiling Springs Presbyterian was once again recognized as a separate church from Barnwell Presbyterian, and the above building was constructed in 1897. The adjacent Sunday school building was added in 1955.
Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church Info
Address: 5079 Boiling Springs Road, Barnwell, SC 29812
GPS Coordinates: 33.134097,-81.429212
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3 Comments about Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church
December 25th, 2017 at 11:22 pm
Wow, what a remarkable thing for both of you to have experienced and for her to be the first woman. This was a delight to read, thanks so much for sharing!
December 24th, 2017 at 3:37 pm
From 1979-1983 I served as the pastor (fresh out of seminary) of the Allendale and Estill Presbyterian Churches. My wife Nancy R. Blakely was also a seminary graduate. She was asked to preach at the Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church and after some time was called to be its pastor. That was probably about 1981. We believe that she is the first woman to serve as pastor of a Presbyterian church in the state of SC.
June 8th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Grateful for the Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church where I attended until late 1940’s following the death of my father, Laurie C. Fowke, Feb. 13, 1948. At age 11 I joined the Church. My Sunday school teacher was Mr. William Steinmeyer. The class met underneath a nearby (north side yard) virgin longleaf pine tree. Leaving Boilings was a difficult move as Mother, Ruth G. Fowke, and sisters Phyllis, and Charlotte, brother Havener. and I had to vacate the homeplace at 3045 Lyndhurst Rd as Dad was a sole wage earner. Mom relocated in Columbia where she trained to be a typist, my sisters and brother were admitted to Thornwell Children’s Home in Clinton, SC (named for Rev. Thornwell), and I was taken into the of Rev. M.B & Mrs. Web & family in Barnwell. Their son, Marion, were close friends and in the same grade at Barnwell High School. Marion and I both played football. While living with the Webb family, I joined the First Baptist Church of Barnwell. I remain a follower of Jesus Christ today.