Just Shot: Old Sheldon Church, Beaufort
Old Sheldon Church—very cool location about 15 miles from Beaufort, S.C. The British torched it in 1779, and then Sherman’s legions burned it again in Feb 1865 on their way to Columbia. It was never rebuilt the second time. It’s something different and haunting.
From Visit Beaufort:
Old Sheldon Church Ruins: A must-see, Old Sheldon Church was originally known as Prince William’s Parish Church and was built in the Greek Revival style between 1745 and 1753. It was burned down by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War. In 1826, it was rebuilt only to be burned again by General Sherman in February 1865. Today, these gorgeous ruins from a bygone era are found amongst majestic oaks and scattered ancient graves. Inside the ruins of the church is the burial site of Colonel William Bull, who, along with General Oglethorpe, was key in establishing the physical layout of Savannah, Georgia. It is now a popular site for wedding ceremonies, photographers, and ghost hunters. An annual worship service is held the second Sunday after Easter.
It would be interesting to do a survey of the number of churches desecrated by the personnel of the armies during their various campaigns. I always get a chill at Massaponax Church standing in the yard where the pews were randomly pulled outside, and at the Lutheran Church in Gettysburg where the chaplain was shot down on the steps.
A perfect photo, capturing the still-existent beauty along with the haunting history, twice burned by tyrants of the same sort, attacking people’s religious and political freedom…