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Old Brick Church

SC PICTURE PROJECT 5 Comments

SC Picture Project / Fairfield County / Old Brick Church

Originally called the Little River Church and more commonly known as the Old Brick Church, Ebenezer Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church was built in the Fairfield County hamlet of Jenkinsville in 1788. Constructed in the simple meeting house style typical of early churches, Ebenezer ARP Church is unusual in that it is made of brick; most meeting houses were wood frame buildings.

Brick Church Jenkinsville

Jim Dollar of Indian Land, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The bricks were made by church members – mostly Scots-Irish immigrants – and the quality of the structure is evident in the fact that this church remains a rare example of an intact 18th century South Carolina meeting house.

Ebenezer Brick Church Jenkinsville

Pete Lawrence of Sumter, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The church was founded by the Reverend James Rogers of Scotland, who brought with him the Associate Reformed Presbyterian religion. This church is the first of its denomination in South Carolina. Since this congregation was formed, several ARP churches developed throughout Fairfield County as well as the state.

Ebenezer ARP Brick Church

Bill Buck of Columbia, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The surrounding wall, steps, and foundation of the Old Brick Church were built using local blue granite block in 1852. During the Civil War the church was damaged by Union soldiers who dismantled the floorboards and used them to create a bridge crossing the Little River.

Ebenezer Jenkinsville Churchyard

Jim Dollar of Indian Land, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

During the Civil War, a Union soldier from Sherman’s army etched this apology on an interior wall of Old Brick Church:

Citizens of this community: Please excuse us for defacing your house of worship, so much. It was absolutely necessary to effect a crossing over the creek, the Rebs had destroyed the bridge.
A Yankee.

The church ceased regular worship services in 1920, though commemorative services still take place within its storied walls.

Old Brick Church Historical Marker

SCIWAY, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Old Brick Church is listed in the National Register as Ebenezer ARP Church:

(Old Brick Church) Built in 1788, this small, rectangular meeting house plan building is simple and unadorned, with a gable roof and unornamented windows. It is one of few eighteenth-century meeting house churches remaining in the state. The bricks for the thick masonry walls were made by members of the congregation. The simple interior contains straight-back pews, a dais-style pulpit with plain rails around two sides, and a slave gallery. The church and graveyard are surrounded by a granite wall added in 1852. This church was the birthplace of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination in South Carolina. Ebenezer’s pastor, the Reverend James Rogers, first ARP Moderator, organized the Associate Reformed Synod of Carolinas here on May 9, 1803.

The church grew in numbers until the Civil War when the young manhood of the congregation joined the Confederate Army en masse. The building was damaged by Union troops, who removed part of its flooring and woodwork to rebuild a bridge across Little River. An apology, penciled in the wall, has been kept legible: “Citizens of this community: Please excuse us for defacing your house of worship, so much. It was absolutely necessary to effect a crossing over the creek, the Rebs had destroyed the bridge. A Yankee.”

The church was later repaired and remained in active use until 1920. Since that time the church has been used for annual commemorative services. The adjoining graveyard contains numerous graves of Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers.

More Pictures of the Old Brick Church


Ebenezer Church Jenkinsville

Jim Dollar of Indian Land, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Ebenezer Church Jenkinsville Rear

Richard B. Thomas of Laurens, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Old Brick Church

Where is Old Brick Church located?
Address: SC Highway 213 south of Landis Road, Jenkinsville, SC 29065
GPS Coordinates: 34.319305,-81.260923
What else should I see?
Little River Baptist Church 1.6 miles
Kincaid-Anderson Quarry 2.5 miles
Lake Monticello 4.4 miles
Old Stone House 10.4 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • See other South Carolina National Register
    Old Brick Church Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. James Gray says

      December 29, 2020 at 10:21 PM

      My 6th great grandfather was said James Gray, mentioned earlier by Laura. If you have any information on James, Andrew, or Robert Gray, please email me at jkgray4776@live.com.

      Reply
    2. Lara says

      July 7, 2019 at 8:26 AM

      Jack Curry, your ancestor Charles Montgomery is one of the men listed in the deed where the male members of the congregation buy the land on which the church stood from a Henry Crumpton in 1793.

      “At the request of Henry Crumpton, I have surveyed and laid out unto Benjamin Boyd, James Gray, John Martin and Charles Montgomery Elders of the Reformed Associate Society of ____ ____ (illegible) on Little River in Fairfield County for the use and worship of the said Society a parcel or lot of land containing one acre and 1/4 including the Brick Meeting House known by the name of Ebenezer.

      Recorded 6 July 1793
      Deed Book H p 171-172, Fairfield Co SC

      Reply
    3. Jack Curry says

      July 7, 2019 at 12:19 AM

      My 4th great grandfather, Charles Montgomery, was one of the first five elders of the church. My wife and I visited the church while inside work was being done and were able to see the inside of the church. Great visit.

      Reply
    4. Lara says

      March 4, 2018 at 5:28 PM

      I found the old deed where the congregation of the old brick meeting house buys the land that it is built on in 1793. My ancestor James Gray was one of the Church Elders and his sons are also listed on this deed as are many of the male members of the congregation. Fascinating history and the fact that it is still standing to this day in good repair.

      Reply
    5. Clif Wakefield says

      January 5, 2017 at 8:32 AM

      My wife, Cynthia Allen Smith Wakefield’s, grandmother is buried there. I remember Cindy going there with her Mom and Dad to put flowers on the grave and never forgot the story about the church, and I saw the note that was left by the Union Army. This morning someone in the office was talking about old churches here in Alabama and this Old Brick Church came to mind. Thanks for the pictures that were taken and I passed them on to my wife and daughter.

      Reply

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    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.

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