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Church of the Cross

SC PICTURE PROJECT 7 Comments

SC Picture Project / Beaufort County / Church of the Cross

The Church of the Cross in Bluffton has been sitting atop May River‘s bluff for 150 years. The church was consecrated in July 1857. Spared by Federal troops during the Civil War – who burned much of Bluffton in 1863 – it was damaged by a deadly hurricane in 1898. The repairs were completed in February 1900.

Bluffton Church of the Cross

aceShot1/Shutterstock © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The church of unfinished heart pine was designed by noted Charleston architect E.B. White, known for designing several prominent Charleston buildings such as Market Hall and the French Huguenot Church.

Church of the Cross

Benton Henry of Latta, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Today, the Church of the Cross holds regular services on two church campuses: here and in a modern building at 495 Buckwalter Parkway. The church participates in Bluffton events, such as the Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival.

Church of the Cross in Snow

Bobby Paszek of Hilton Head, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Church of the Cross is listed in the National Register:

The Church of the Cross, ca. 1857, is significant architecturally as a design of Edward Brickell White. White (1806-1882), a prolific engineer and architect of the mid-nineteenth century, was proficient in a wide range of styles: Classic, Renaissance, and Gothic Revival. White designed numerous churches, schools, office buildings and commercial structures in South Carolina. The cruciform shaped Church of the Cross, completed in 1857, is one of his Gothic Revival designs, but differs from the stuccoed, more formal churches of Charleston and Columbia.

The Carpenter Gothic style with board and batten exterior and interior open timbered roof is in keeping with the church’s scenic, rural setting. The architect’s choice of material, unfinished cypress, and his use of proportion and design, confirm his sensitivity to the character of the small church. Located on a bluff overlooking the May River, the church is surrounded by live oak and palmetto trees. In 1960 a parish house, which is included in the area nominated, was built in a style compatible with the church, using cruciform plan, pointed arch windows and doors, and weathered cypress siding.

More Pictures of the Church of the Cross


Bluffton, Church of the Cross at Night

Nate Rosso of Beaufort, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Church of the Cross

Benton Henry of Latta, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Mike Stroud of Bluffton, 2005 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Church Cross Bluffton

Ralph Preston of Murrells Inlet, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Church of the Cross

Benton Henry of Latta, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Church of the Cross

Benton Henry of Latta, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Church of the Cross

Where is Church of the Cross located?
Address: 110 Calhoun Street, Bluffton, SC 29910
GPS Coordinates: 32.231340,-80.863368
Website: http://thechurchofthecross.net/
What else should I see?
May River 0.2 mile
Bluffton Oyster Company 0.4 mile
Myrtle Island 2.3 miles
Palmetto Bluff 3.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Bluffton Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • See other South Carolina National Register
    Church of the Cross Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle Roberts says

      July 6, 2020 at 11:54 PM

      I stumbled upon this church and I fell in love with it; its small and the most beautiful place. Would they allow a wedding to take place here?

      Reply
    2. L stair says

      February 24, 2018 at 5:02 PM

      Church of the Cross is heart of pine not cypress.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        February 25, 2018 at 12:31 AM

        Thank you for the correction, we have it updated!

        Reply
    3. Amy Power says

      August 28, 2016 at 5:07 PM

      Does anyone know why Sherman spared the Church, while burning most everything else?

      Reply
    4. Sandra Williams says

      January 16, 2015 at 6:22 PM

      Is the church open to the public? Where can I purchase some “Holy Honey”?

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        January 17, 2015 at 7:05 AM

        Yes, the church still conducts services at its historic location. Go to the website above the map for more details.

        Reply
    5. Little says

      April 28, 2013 at 1:56 PM

      Are services ever performed in the church?

      Reply

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