St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church

Historic Property

Alternate Name:

St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church

Street Address:

SW Corner of Park Ave & York ST, Aiken, SC (Aiken County)

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Site Number:

03_0016

Control Number:

U/03/0016

Date Surveyed:

October 28 2009

Category:

Building

Construction Date:

1905

Alteration Date:

1925 – 1975

Historic Use:

Religion

Current Use:

Religion

Historic Core Shape:

Rectangular

Number of Stories:

3

Construction Method:

masonry

Exterior Walls Materials:

Brick

Foundation Materials:

Brick

National Register Determination:

Potentially Eligible;

Signficant Architectural Features:

High style Gothic Revival detailing; towers; tracery windows; rose window.

Alterations:

Separate Annex

Historical Information:

The cornerstone for this Semi-Gothic style building was laid in the autumn of 1905. Within the church stands the life-size bronze statue of the Virgin and Child by Gustave Dore; which won third prize in the world competition of sculpture in Paris in 1880. The plan for the Chapel of St. Claire, which dates to August 7, 1879, was drawn under the direction of Mlle Celestine Elizabeth Eustis, who commissioned artist M. Lorin of France to paint on glass the scene of St. Claire pleading for the Lord to repel the Saracens who were advancing toward Assisi. H.

Source of Historical Information:

“Historical Places” [On-Line]; available from http://www.cityofaikensc.gov/index.php?page=historical_places; Internet. Accessed April 22, 2010.

Survey:

City of Aiken Historic Resources Survey, Aiken County, South Carolina. May 2010

Quadrangle Name:

Aiken

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