Pineville, a historic refuge
Part 35: The Pineville Church, a celebrated chapel
By Warner M.Montgomery Warner@TheColumbiaStar.com

The Pineville Church holds two Episcopal services a year. The Christian fish may be seen at the rear of the roof.

According to Frederick A. Porcher's Memoirs, in the early 19th century a sermon was preached every Sunday morning in the Pineville Church. In the afternoon, the congregation reassembled and evening prayers were read. No sermon followed, none was expected, and none was desired.

Porcher wrote, "The whole service was frequently performed without music. Old Capt. Palmer, the patriarch of the village, certainly possessed no musical talents, but he had zeal, and fancied he could accomplish the 100th psalm. This was, accordingly, the standing psalm of the morning; and the old chorister, taking courage from his success, would, at times, boldly undertake other pieces of music…

Others attempted to take the lead, but the indignant musician was not to be driven from his post. Sing he would; and it was not uncommon for a whole stanza to be sung at the same time to two different tunes."

After about 10 years, The Rev. Charles Blair Snowden retired and was succeeded by The Rev. D. J. Campbell, who died at his post in 1840 at the age of 45. He is buried in St. Stephen's churchyard.

The altar in the Pineville Church dates back to 1810.

The churches were then vacant for nearly three years until they were filled in 1842 by the worthy and efficient Rev. William Dehon, who was assisted by the Rev. C. P. Gadsden. Dehon was the son of the second bishop of the diocese and served all three churches. He also served six chapels erected by planters on their plantations for their slaves. The Pineville Church was consecrated by Bishop Gadsden in 1845 when it was admitted into the Diocese of South Carolina.

The Pineville Church is a rectangular one- story frame beaded weatherboard clad building with a square four- level bell tower. It has heavy timber construction with excellent craftsmanship and intricate joinery resting on a brick pier foundation. A polygonal apse is located at the rear of the building. There are two entrances, front and rear, with four- light transoms and paired three- panel doors. The windows are nine- over- nine light sash with paneled shutters.

The roof framing consists of a well- developed system of rafters, purlins, and kingpost trusses, typical of 17th and 18th century houses in New England and Virginia. A unique feature of the Pineville Church is the metal fish, one of the first symbols used by Christians, on the roof.

The interior of the church retains its historic elements. The old "Lord's Table" has been replaced with an altar. The high pulpit has been moved to one side. The original pews remain. A small balcony at the rear of the sanctuary is supported by four paneled posts. A Palladian window behind the altar is backlighted by win- dows. The altar has delicate carving, round- arched panels, and a corbeled front.

The church was completely restored in 1940. It fell into disrepair and was put in good condition once again. A new sanctuary was constructed and services resumed shortly after The Rev. Moultrie Moore was appointed as deacon- in- charge.

The church was used for regular Sunday and weekday services until the restoration of the parish church in St. Stephen's was completed in 1957. After that, the regular services were held at St. Stephen's.

Even though the Pineville Church was no longer maintained by the diocese, the local members used it for prayers, meditations, choir practice, and an occasional service. They did not conflict with services scheduled at the St. Stephen's Parish Church.

In 1976, Mattie Gourdin Marion of Pineville, widow of Edward Bailey Marion, willed the income from a piece of property for upkeep of the church. Her niece, Eljule Gourdin Everett, took charge of the funds and the repair.

A good start was made on some major repairs and improvements. However, the cost of termite treatment was expensive. The church building had to be completely wrapped in plastic for two days and a special gas was used to kill beetles inside the wood.

The Pineville Church now holds two regular Episcopal services a year on the Sunday that time changes, spring and fall. Congregations from St. Stephen's and Kingstree attend. Sometimes the congregation from the Church of the Redeemer in Pineville attends, too.

The church is also used on special occasions such as Berkeley North Historical and Cultural Committee functions, choral concerts, and Christmas Concerts. The Episcopal Diocese owns and operates the Pineville Church. It is the Chapel of Ease for St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.

(Keith Gourdin of Pineville contributed to this story.)

(Next week: Church of the

Redeemer)