Simpsonville Baptist Church
National Register Listing
Street Address:
106 Church St., Simpsonville, SC (Greenville County)
Alternate Name:
First Baptist Church of Simpsonville
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817723041
Description and Narrative:
(Simpsonville First Baptist Church) The Simpsonville Baptist Church, constructed in 1913-1914, is significant as an excellent example of early twentieth century church architecture, and of the stylistic interpretations of Luther D. Proffitt, Spartanburg architect. Designed chiefly in the Romanesque Revival style, the church also contains elements of both Moorish and Gothic Revival architecture, all of which were period revivals in popular usage from 1900-1940, especially in religious buildings. The church is a two-story, five-bay, hip-roofed, Flemish-bond brick structure set on a brick foundation with an ashlar watertable. Its twin towers exhibit a Moorish influence in the stepped, convex-shaped, sheet metal-covered hop roof atop each tower. The numerous round-headed stained glass windows, each highlighted by a rubbed brick arch with an ashlar keystone. The most celebrated features of the church are the two large pictorial stained glass windows on the west and south elevations. The church has been known for many years throughout the upstate as “The Friendly Church with Beautiful Windows.” The subjects depicted in these windows are believed to be taken from the work of Holman Hunt, an English artist known for painting biblical scenes. The are entitled “Our Savior Knocking on the Door” and “The Lost Sheep.” Listed in the National Register October 13, 1992.
Period of Significance:
1913 – 1914
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Architecture
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
October 13 1992
