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Church of the Epiphany

SC PICTURE PROJECT 5 Comments

SC Picture Project / Orangeburg County / Church of the Epiphany

This historic church in Eutawville was first associated with Rocks Church, established near Rocks Plantation in 1804. Rocks Church was a chapel of ease for St. Stephen’s Church, which served Anglican (now Episcopalian) families of English and French descent near St. Stephen’s Parish.

Church of the Epiphany

Ann Helms of Spartanburg, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

By 1849 this church, called Church of the Epiphany, was built as a chapel for the burgeoning village of Eutaw (as the town was then called) and became the place of worship for planters arriving to town for the summer. The chapel was not consecrated so that it could serve people of all denominations, though it became an unofficial chapel of ease for members of Rocks Church, which was fifteen miles away. Yet in 1864 Rocks Church separated from St. Stephen’s Church and became the parish church for Upper-St. John’s Parish. That same year, the tiny Church of the Epiphany was enlarged.

Church of the Epiphany

Ann Helms of Spartanburg, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Church of the Epiphany saw further renovations in 1880, and in 1899 Dr. Edmonds, a member and hobbyist woodcarver, created and installed a wooden screen in part to make the sanctuary appear larger. As the area grew in population, the Church of the Epiphany divided services with Rocks Church, the two churches alternating Sundays. However, when Santee-Cooper Electric – South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility – created Lake Marion for hydroelectric power in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Rocks Church was left abandoned on a small island. Rocks Church was later de-consecrated and demolished in 1954. A plaque commemorating the church now stands in its place.

Church Island

Joan Perry of Charleston, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Church of the Epiphany then became the primary church for both congregations. It was formally consecrated as an Episcopal church in 1949, a few years before the demolition of Rocks Church. In the 1984 a new building was added to the grounds, and updates that reflect the original architecture of the church continue as the church grows. The original rectory, where the revered is housed, was built in the 1830s and stands adjacent to the church.

Church of the Epiphany Rectory

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Located across the street, this historic home once was the summer house of Dr. Thomas William Porcher of Walworth Plantation. The house was moved to its present location in Eutawville from the summer village of Pineville, when the village was abandoned in the 1830s due to epidemics of fever. The house eventually became a Gaillard property and was given to the Church of the Epiphany in Eutawville in 1935 by Peter C. Gaillard of Belmont Plantation and J. Palmer Gaillard of Charleston.

Church of the Epiphany Parish Hall

Brandon Coffey of Charleston, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

When the local public school burned in 1930, the house was used as the school for the community until a new one could be built. The house was extensively renovated by parish members and used as a Parish Hall until a new one was built in 2000. In an effort to keep the Parish House an integral part of the community, the house was leased out to be a tea room and gift shop which was in operation until early 2015.

Parish Tea Hall Interior

Zelma Dawdy Covington of Eutaw Springs, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Church of the Epiphany

Where is Church of the Epiphany located?
Address: 12065 Old Number Six Highway, Eutawville, SC 29048
GPS Coordinates: 33.399569,-80.340720
Website: http://www.historicepiphany.org/
What else should I see?
Eutawville Guard House 1 mile
St. Julien Plantation 1.5 miles
Eutaw Springs Battlefield Park 4 miles
Jeffers Home 10.8 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • Eutawville Historic Sites
  • Lake Marion Historic Sites
    Church of the Epiphany Map

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    Comments

    1. Angelle Horton says

      September 14, 2016 at 6:30 PM

      My aunt, Beatrice Galphin, lived in Holly Hill. When my mother passed away, my sister and I found a copy of “Our Daily Bread,” a cookbook put out by Epiphany Episcopal Church. It is undoubtedly the best cookbook that we have seen in a long time. The only problem is that we only possess 1 copy. By any chance would it be possible for us to get another copy? The copyright was fron 1968-1982. Some of the recipes that were submitted were Aunt Bea’s (Mrs. S. P. Galphin.) Many Thanks. Angelle Horton

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        September 15, 2016 at 6:23 AM

        Hi, Angelle. Thank you for sharing your story with us! Here is the contact information for the church: http://www.historicepiphany.org/contact-us.html Hopefully, someone there can help you find another copy. Best of luck!

        Reply
    2. Cheryl Ridgeway-Yocum says

      June 25, 2015 at 9:40 PM

      Can the Rocks cemetery be visited? I wish to visit Emily Sinkler's grave..

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        June 26, 2015 at 8:10 AM

        Hi, Cheryl. The website above the map should lead you to someone connected to the church to answer your question. Best of luck!

        Reply
    3. Sydney says

      April 3, 2015 at 9:00 AM

      What time is the service on Sunday and do you have “the healing ceremony” on Wednesday morning? If so, what is the time?

      Please reply,

      Thank you,

      “Sydney”

      Reply

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