Grace Chapel-2

Rockville, South Carolina which is located on the Bohicket River on the southern end of Wadmalaw Island. Settlements in the area can be traced back... more

by John Kirkland

Title

Grace Chapel-2

Artist

John Kirkland

Medium

Photograph - Digital

Description

Rockville, South Carolina which is located on the Bohicket River on the southern end of Wadmalaw Island. Settlements in the area can be traced back to the 1600s but the town’s “official” founding date is considered to be 1784. Once known as a haven for maritime commerce, today, it is more of a personification of southern charm with its huge live oaks and antebellum homes that were built by the wealthy planters of the period, who were seeking to escape the summer heat, miasma and malaria.

Grace Episcopal Chapel, originally known as the Church on the Rock, was built in 1840 for $1500 as a “chapel of ease” to serve those families who summered in the village of Rockville and is a great example of this southern charm. This beautiful church is nestled among the sea breeze, flowers, moss and huge oaks and is a picture of tranquility. The church was spared during the Civil War and served as the main house of worship during the period when its mother church, St. John's Parrish Church and a sister chapel at Legareville, were damaged during the war. Because of an unclear title to the land where the chapel was originally built, it was moved to its present location in 1884. Following the Sea Islands Hurricane of 1893, the chapel was also used by Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, as a place to organize humanitarian and recovery efforts. Today, the church operates under the aegis of St. John’s Parish Church and during the summer season holds regular Sunday services. Stop by and worship with them. I am sure they would love to have you!

Uploaded

January 31st, 2022