Christ Church and Churchyard
Historic Property
Alternate Name:
Christ Church and Churchyard
Street Address:
10 North Church Street, Greenville, South Carolina (Greenville County)
Site Number:
207-007.00
Category:
Building
Construction Date:
circa 1852
Historic Use:
Religion
Current Use:
Religion
Architect or Builder:
John DeWitt McCullough
Signficant Architectural Features:
Description: First Point Gothic, length 112 feet, five lancet windows, western end a pentaphlet and a circle with emplem of the Holy Trinity, triplet window in chancel, glass by Willis of New York, vertry in north transept, the tower is connected with the south porch, spire rising to 130 feet. Innovations have included addition of a gallery in the west end, 1875; addition of south transept and enlargement of chancel, 1880. In 1968, the fabric of the church was restored and the following additions made: extension of east sanctuary wall, addition of north transept, enlargement of balcony, construction of Galilee porch at north west corner, excavation for undercroft beneath entire church, fireproof flooing and remodeled entrances. Increased seating capacity from 240 to 650 achieved completion of the original cruciform design after 114 years without altering the over-all plan.
Historical significance: Historically, Christ Church is Greenville's oldest organized religious body (1820) as well as the city's oldest church building. It has traditionally been recognized as an outstanding example of Gothic architecture. Each addition has been in keeping with its style and original plan for a cruciform building. A magnificant stained glass window by Mayer of Germany is a memorial to Ellison Capers, rector of Christ Church; bishop of the Diocese of SC; and Confederate brigadier general. In the churchyard surrounding the building are buried former governor of SC, BF Perry; several Greenville mayors; many Confederate war dead, and the first Greenville man lost in WWI. Also interred here are the parents and son of the first Bishop of the Diocese of Upper SC; Vardry McBee, "Father of Greenville"; and many other church and civic leaders. A SC historical marker was erected here in 1967.
Alterations:
See Description.
Survey:
The Historic Resources of Greenville, SC (1981)
Archives Location:
Box 6, Series 108042, Survey of historic resources (county by county data on surface properties), circa 1971-2014
