|
The Unitarian
Church
CHARLESTON
The Unitarian Church, 6 Archdale Street, is much
praised for its architecture. It was erected in 1772-76,
dedicated October 25, 1787, and partly reconstructed in 1852
from plans of Francis D. Lee, who gave it a Gothic
cast. This building was rededicated in
1854.
The congregation was originally a part of the
Independent Congregational Church or "Circular Church" on
Meeting Street, until 1817, from which date it became a
separate organization under Unitarian doctrine. Just before
the American Revolution, the Circular Church found it
necessary to use an additional building. Thus another church
with another pastor was established in Archdale Street.
One of the ministers was a Unitarian, and later
by agreement, the part of the congregation following his
teachings took over the Archdale Street Church.
While
the British occupied Charles Town during the Revolutionary War
they stabled their horses in this building.
A marble
shaft and a Harvard room in the tower memorialize the Reverend
Samuel Oilman, D. D., pastor of this congregation 1819-1859
and author of the famous college song, "Fair Harvard''.
BY
HAZEL CROWSON SELLERS
South Carolina Churches
|