• 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

Old Stone Church

SC PICTURE PROJECT 11 Comments

SC Picture Project / Pickens County / Old Stone Church

The historic Old Stone Church in Clemson has been a fixture of the landscape for over 200 years. The church began as Hopewell-Keowee Presbyterian Church in 1789. By 1791 the congregation, which had been admitted to the South Carolina Presbytery, was worshiping in a log cabin near the Keowee River.

Old Stone Church

Ann Helms of Spartanburg, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The log meeting house burned a few years later, and construction on this church began in 1797. The stone church was completed in 1802. This remained the house of worship until the congregation moved to Pendleton in the 1820s. In the late nineteenth century, as the church and graveyard began to fall into disrepair, the Old Stone Church Commission was formed to restore and maintain the property.

Old Stone Church Pickens County

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The cemetery actually predates the church. The oldest grave in the churchyard belongs to Charles Miller whose father, John, was a newspaper publisher in London before continuing his trade here. Charles Miller is interred on a corner of the church property that was part of his father’s land grant before it was deeded to the church in 1800.

Old Stone Church Cemetery

Bob Spalding of Easley, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Old Stone Church is one of the older structures remaining in Upstate South Carolina. Revolutionary War General Andrew Pickens, namesake of Pickens County, and his son, Governor Andrew Pickens, Jr., are buried here.

Old Stone Church Entrance

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Today the Old Stone Church continues to be maintained by the Old Stone Church Commission. The church, which has no heating or air conditioning, holds special worship services during the year. It is closely affiliated with Clemson University and Old Fort Presbyterian Church.

Old Stone Church Clemson

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Stone Church Clemson

Tyler Chapman of Simpsonville, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Old Stone Church Rear

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Old Stone Church Stairs

James (Jim) Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Old Stone Church Interior

William H. Myers, III of Seneca, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Old Stone Church

Bob Spalding of Easley, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Grave of Eliza Huger


Pictured below is the grave of Eliza Huger in the cemetery of the Old Stone Church. As photographer Ann Helms explains, “There are numerous legends about Eliza, but little has been confirmed about how she lived and died. The most often told tale is that Eliza was born to an important Charleston family, and she ran away from home to New Orleans. Two of her brothers followed to bring her home. Finding her in a house of prostitution (with a client), they shot her dead.”

Eliza Huger's grave at Old Stone Church Cemetery

Ann Helms of Spartanburg, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

“Upon returning her body to South Carolina, no church would allow her to be buried in its cemetery. Finally, she was allowed to be buried by the Old Stone Church, provided a wall was built around the grave to keep her sinful spirit in. Over the years, the wall kept falling apart and new repairs never lasted long. Lightning has also struck the grave numerous times, obliterating all words except Brothers Sorrow. To this day, people toss coins onto the grave for good luck. But if someone takes a coin, well, watch out!”

The Old Stone Church and Cemetery are both listed in the National Register:

The Old Stone Church is significant architecturally as a masonry adaptation of meeting house architecture and as a representative of the early pioneer church in South Carolina. Many prominent men are buried in its cemetery. On October 13, 1789, the congregation of Hopewell-Keowee Church asked to be taken into the Presbytery of South Carolina. Construction of the Old Stone Church began in 1797, replacing the congregation’s log meeting house that had burned. The natural fieldstone rectangular structure with medium gable roof was completed in 1802. It is six bays deep with high fenestration. The windows are the size of its doorways, all of which are topped with a flat arch. Exterior stairs lead to the slave gallery at the rear of the church. During the 1890s, the Old Stone Church and Cemetery Commission was organized, a wall put around the graveyard, and repairs made to preserve the old building.

Plan Your Trip: Old Stone Church

Where is Old Stone Church located?
Address: 101 Stone Circle, Clemson, SC 29631
GPS Coordinates: 34.664462,-82.815257
Website: http://oldstonechurchsc.com/
What else should I see?
Hanover House 1.2 miles
Clemson University 1.9 miles
Fort Hill 2.6 miles
Tillman Hall 2.7 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Cemeteries
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • Clemson Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina National Register
    Old Stone Church 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

    Biggin Church RuinsBiggin Church Ruins Pon Pon Chapel at TwighlightPon Pon Chapel of Ease Tillman HallTillman Hall Default ThumbnailOolenoy Baptist Church Old White Meeting HouseOld White Meeting House and Cemetery

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rosalyn Story says

      July 14, 2017 at 10:02 AM

      Hi! I spoke at Clemson University in 2012 when my novel Wading Home was chosen as the ‘summer read’ for new students. While there, I found the grave of Charles Story, who owned my great great grandfather Moses, one of his slaves. I think it’s possible Moses may have attended church there, as many slaves did at their masters’ churches. Possible to find any record of this? Thank you!

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        July 15, 2017 at 2:43 PM

        Hey Rosalyn! That sounds like quite a story. We are not directly affiliated so are not sure of any potential records, but we did find their direct contact information here: http://oldstonechurchsc.com/contact-us/. Definitely reach out to them and see if there are maybe official records that can be accessed. We would love for you to find this information out about your ancestor! Thanks and hope this helps!

        Reply
    2. Debby Giesen says

      June 27, 2016 at 1:43 PM

      A very dear friend of mine died maybe 8 or 9 years ago. Is there anyway his ashes could be in this mausoleum or buried? How would I go about finding the answer? His name is George Holloway Marchioness.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        June 27, 2016 at 3:34 PM

        Hi, Debby. Here is a list of burials: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=70945 Good luck.

        Reply
    3. lisa martin says

      September 15, 2014 at 7:14 AM

      Looking to see if this church is still available for weddings.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        September 15, 2014 at 8:12 AM

        Hi, Lisa. There is a website above the map; hopefully you can find answers to your questions there. Best of luck!

        Reply
    4. Robert Mixon says

      June 23, 2014 at 10:07 AM

      Some of my ancestors are buried at Old Stone Church. What would be the best way to find out how to contact the owners of the individual burial plots?

      Reply
    5. Robert Mixon says

      June 23, 2014 at 10:05 AM

      I am fairly sure that I am related to some of the persons buried at Old Stone Church. What would be the best way to find out who owns the burial plots for the individual families?

      Reply
    6. Pam Freeman says

      January 16, 2014 at 4:26 PM

      We attended a wedding at the Old Stone Church 10 years ago. Is this church still available for weddings?

      Reply
    7. April Mucekenfuss says

      September 29, 2013 at 9:21 PM

      I am interested in getting copies of some the churches on your site. Is it possible to get copies from you direct or notify the different photographers? Thanks so much.

      Reply
    8. Robert McCay says

      March 28, 2011 at 1:58 PM

      Is there any chance of knowing if Daniel McCay is one of the builders of the church? I understand he may be buried in an unmarked grave there in the cemetery. My great-great grandfather Martin Stanley McCay was christened in the church in the early 1800s.

      Reply

    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