Building & Grounds Commission

Faith of Our Fathers Living Still

During Easter you may have noticed a new addition to the Churchyard behind the Sacristy. As part of the Churchyard restoration program a few years ago, it was determined that the tombstones in the Pinckney-Rutledge plot were in disarray and the grave of General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney needed attention and restoration.

Our consultant, Dr. Robert Russell of the College of Charleston’s Preservation Program recommended that we reposition several stones that had been haphazardly attached to the wall when the sacristy was added. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney’s grave is a frequent stop for visitors and tour guides to the Churchyard because of his prominence as a founding father. His memorial inside the church on the south isle is a testimony to his patriotic and civic leadership. The committee decided to place the same memorial at his grave site on a new stone, matching those of his relations. In addition, a new sign citing his accomplishments will be placed above on the panel box. The cost was underwritten by many of the Patriotic Societies and his descendants. His descendants are numerous and actively serve God and his Church at St. Michaels in a variety of lay ministries, foreign missions and leadership positions. The formal rededication is planned for Carolina Day, Monday June 28th.

But how is Charles Cotesworth Pinckney relevant today as a Christian role model from those centuries ago? Pinckney’s 1825 memorial says, “He combined the virtues of the patriot and the piety of the Christian”. On closer investigation we find that Pinckney believed in tolerance of all Christian faiths and actively campaigned to outlaw dueling.

He was the First President of the Charleston Bible Society founded in 1810. Modeled on the British and Foreign Bible Society, the organizing goal of the society was and is today to have a wide distribution, circulation and study of Holy Scripture.

The founding clergy represented perhaps the first major ecumenical effort in Charleston.

They included, the Reverends Isaac S. Keith, Pastor of the Circular Congregational Church, William Percy, who established St. Paul’s, the third Episcopal church in Charleston, Richard Furman, the fiery Baptist minister who later founded Furman University, and Simon Felix Gallagher, long-time pastor of St. Mary’s Church. (Gallagher was considered a brilliant wit and a friendly drinking companion who actions helped cause a schism in the local Catholic Church that existed until the arrival of John England who became the first Catholic Bishop of Charleston.)

Over the past two hundred years, the society has had a fascinating history including massive distribution of Bibles to soldiers of the Confederate Army, the Spanish American War, merchant seamen, orphanages, churches, jails, immigrants, homeless shelters, foreign mission teams, the blind and military personnel. The Society includes among its leadership many St. Michaelites including Frank Barnwell, Bubber Cockerel, Peg Eastman, and Geoffrey Lewis. Special thanks to Peg Eastman for her history of the Society.

As the Charleston Bible Society celebrates its 200th Anniversary this year, Pinckney’s Christian legacy lives on, making a difference in the lives of many. Still collecting and distributing Bibles, the Society’s watch words are “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path” Psalms 119:105. For more information on the Charleston Bible Society, please visit www.charlestonbiblesociety.org.

May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.
~ Vic Brandt, Churchyard Committee.

What Happened to The Clock?

The steeple clock has been a familiar and faithful part of the Charleston community since 1763. In 1945, the steeple clock was electrified. You may have noticed that for the last few weeks, the clock has not kept time and the bells have not chimed the hour or quarter hour. The failure is in the electric auto wind. Until that winds up, the timing mechanism of the clock does not work. Several parts of the auto wind unit must be hand machined. We are blessed to have a wonderful man who hand machines the parts we need for the clock when repairs are necessary. This takes time and hard work. Thank you for your patience. We hope to have the clock working again soon.

~ Brenda Georgi,
Chief of Administration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

.