• 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

Arsenal Hill ARP Church

SC PICTURE PROJECT 3 Comments

SC Picture Project / Richland County / Arsenal Hill ARP Church

This brick edifice in downtown Columbia stands in the historic neighborhood known as Arsenal Hill. The area was the location of the former Arsenal Military Academy, created in 1842 along with The Citadel in Charleston. The military academy was built on the site of a former arsenal, giving the school its name. The only structure remaining from the academy is the Governor’s Mansion, a barracks built for the school in 1855. Arsenal Hill Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church was built in Arsenal Hill in 1904.

Arsenal Hill ARP Church

Jim Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The congregation was formed when members of First Presbyterian Church left to organize the Mission Sabbath School on December 23, 1883. The group initially met at the State Agricultural Society at the old state fair grounds before moving to the private home of Dr. Thomas Kinkead in 1884. In February of 1885 the group purchased a lot on Richland Street and built a chapel.

Arsenal Hill ARP

Jim Jenkins of Chesterfield, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Around that same time, a storm was brewing within the nearby Columbia Theological Seminary over evolution. At the heart of the debate were two professors: Dr. John L. Girardeau, who was opposed to the idea of evolution, and Dr. James Woodrow, who claimed that evolution did not contradict Biblical teachings. When a supporter of Dr. Woodrow’s was called as the new pastor of First Presbyterian Church, a faction of the congregation left and joined Mission Sabbath School. The Misison Sabbath School then formed a new congregation called Second Presbyterian Church. It was chartered in 1886 with Dr. Girardeau as its first pastor.

Arsenal Hill Church Columbia

Bill Segars of Hartsville, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In 1892 members of the church purchased the current lot. The present church was built in 1904 with the aid of Alexander Sutherland, a Scottish stonemason and church member. It was designed by architects James Hagood Sams and Avery Carter. In 1907 the congregation changed its name to Arsenal Hill for the aforementioned neighborhood in which it rests. As for Dr. Woodrow, he was eventually removed from Columbia Theological Seminary, and the Presbyterian Church officially denounced evolution until 1969. Arsenal Hill Presbyterian Church joined the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination in 1973.

Interestingly, Dr. James Woodrow was the maternal uncle of President Woodrow Wilson, who lived briefly in Columbia during his youth. Wilson’s father was also a professor at the Columbia Theological Society.

Educated as both a scientist and a seminarian, Dr. Woodrow did not believe evolution contradicted creation since the Bible does not specify how God created the earth’s inhabitants. These convictions led him to be tried for heresy. Though he was exonerated, he was nevertheless dismissed from his job at the seminary, which actually closed for a year during this debate. He later served as the president of the University of South Carolina, and he remained an active minister of the Presbyterian faith until his death in 1907.

Plan Your Trip: Arsenal Hill ARP Church

Where is Arsenal Hill ARP Church located?
Address: 1103 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201
GPS Coordinates: 34.009089,-81.038620
Website: http://www.arsenalhill.org
What else should I see?
J. Bratton Davis Courthouse 0.1 mile
Columbia City Hall 0.1 mile
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox 0.3 mile
Columbia Conservatory of Dance 0.4 mile
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Churches
  • Columbia Historic Sites
    Arsenal Hill ARP 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

    Trinity Episcopal ColumbiaTrinity Episcopal Cathedral Default ThumbnailHoly Trinity Greek Orthodox Default ThumbnailSt. Paul’s Lutheran Church Centennial ARP ChurchCentennial ARP Church Default ThumbnailShandon Presbyterian Church

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Westbrook says

      December 16, 2018 at 7:39 PM

      “Mr.” Rob, Please e-mail me the names of the two young people that you had listed on the last information you sent to Edgemoor WM. I put it in a “safe” place and cannot find it. We would like to send a donation for them. Thank you, Linda Westbrook

      Reply
    2. Bill Craig says

      August 18, 2018 at 9:08 AM

      I was baptized and grew up at Arsenal Hill, the history you present is fascinating and something I had not heard. Do you have more, where and how can I get it? Thanks.

      Reply
    3. Marie Morris says

      August 2, 2018 at 2:27 AM

      I was baptised in Arsenal Hill Presbyterian Church as well as married there in 1965. Hope to visit soon. The pastor that I remember was named Rev. Beaty. Do you know his full name and where he’s buried? Thanks

      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