| |
| |
A Nonprofit Membership Organization Working for South Carolinians Since 1990.
| |
| |
Headlines + Happenings March 26, 2025 | |
| |
| |
Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church Sacred Spaces Program - Project Profile | |
The restoration of Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church started in 2018 as a part of our Sacred Spaces Program, in partnership with property owners, Ed McAllister and Joe Carpenter, with the primary goal of painting the building and restoring original features such as stained-glass windows and shutters. An anonymous donation of $50,000 provided crucial start-up support to restore and protect this beloved sanctuary, which has served as a pillar of faith and community in the village of Mount Carmel.
Mount Carmel is a small town located in McCormick County that developed in the 1880s, parallel with the development of the Savannah Valley Railroad. In 1885, following the installation of the railroad, a post office was established and the town received its official charter in December of the same year. Today, Mount Carmel has undergone minimal changes since the early 1900s and boasts a high concentration of buildings constructed during the town's period of prosperity. In 1982, the Mount Carmel Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The church: Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church was organized during the 1880s, with a frame building constructed circa 1890 on land donated by the Morrah family. The congregation held services in the weatherboard meeting house until the mid-1950s.
Mount Carmel Presbyterian features an impressive array of stained-glass windows, including two Gothic windows on the front elevation. When restoration began, these window sashes were almost entirely devoid of glass. The chancel area showcases three Eastlake style windows, each consisting of two sashes. Preservation SC engaged a specialized firm based in Greer, South Carolina to order and install the stained-glass windows requiring replacement.
The original shutters on each window necessitated restoration of the wood and paint, a project partially supported by the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston. The stained-glass windows and shutters were completed and reinstalled in 2024.
The church's interior remains largely unchanged, with many original pews and its original color palette intact. The central stove connected to the ceiling was removed due to liability concerns. A vintage 1920s lighting fixture chosen by the owners was added in 2022 to honor their family. | |
| |
What's next? Our next steps involve implementing an entrance deck that complies with assembly codes while maintaining the historic integrity of this 1890s church. We are grateful for the support of the property owners and the opportunity to work in the Mount Carmel community. Learn more about the church and our efforts here. | |
| |
| |
- Call for nominations to The South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards. Deadline is April 1, 2025. Learn more, and view past recipients, here. - The SC Historic Preservation Conference, hosted by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, is April 25, 2025. Learn more and register here. - The Landmark Conference, hosted by the Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies is March 27-29, 2025 in Sumter. The theme of the conference is "Shaping History". Learn more and register here. - The South Carolina Department of Archives and History is hosting an African American Genealogy Workshop on Saturday, May 17, 2025,10:00 AM - Noon. Register here. - Enslaved Ancestral Burial Ground public opening at Historic Brattonsville on March 29, 2025 from 10:00AM - 4:00PM. Learn more here. | |
| |
The South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards CALL FOR NOMINATIONS | |
| |
Presented by The Office of the Governor, The South Carolina Department of Archives and History, & Preservation South Carolina | |
Each year thousands of South Carolinians work to preserve the state’s legacy that is reflected in our historic buildings, structures, and sites. Since 1995, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Preservation South Carolina, and the Office of the Governor have recognized exceptional accomplishments in the preservation, rehabilitation, and interpretation of our architectural and cultural heritage with a series of statewide awards.
We invite you to nominate those individuals or organizations that represent the best of historic preservation in our state. Nominations submitted in previous years that were not selected to receive an award may be updated and resubmitted. If you would like to view award recipients from 2020-2024, please visit this link. Deadline is April 1, 2025.
| |
| |
| |
Taveau Church Tour & Input Session with Carter Hudgins, Vice Chair of Preservation South Carolina | |
Taveau Church Stewardship Planning & Community Engagement | In October of 2024, the Cordesville Community Tour and Input session launched intentional conversations facilitated by The Asiko Group, to engage the local community in the planning and potential uses of Taveau Church after restoration efforts. Such conversations and community engagement are still occurring today, and with each conversation, genuine steps are taken to bring foward the community’s vision. | | | |
The stewardship planning effort was a success in several areas for Preservation SC and the Taveau restoration project. The project clarified the future steps that the organization should take to develop a sustainable function for the church. | |
This planning effort laid the foundation for a wider participation in the project and discovered a deep consensus about an active future for the church. View the final reporthere. | | |
| |
Thank you to our Business Members!
| |
JAN RASMUSSEN MEDIA RELATIONS | EDISTO ISLAND, SC Do you want the best strategies with high-value results to boost your media relations? Contact Jan Rasmussen today! | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Preservation South Carolina1109 Broad Street 2H Camden, SC 29020803.729.7782 | |
| |
You are receiving this email as you signed up for our newsletters. Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can Unsubscribe or Update your preferences | |
| |
