The Parish Church Of St Helena
With all the historical sites that Beaufort South Carolina has to offer you will find the burial grounds, St Helena Parish. Established in 1724 there are now 750 burials of record.
Originally starting as a parish church of the Church of England in 1712 it is noted as one of the oldest churches in America. Following the American Revolution St. Helenas along with eleven other Anglican Parish founded the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of South Carolina. The original church was built on the present site and appears as it did in 1842 following its final enlargement.
Burial grounds attached to a Church or associated with a church are commonly referred to as “graveyards” or “churchyard”.
The graves of nearly one hundred Veterans of every major conflict since 1711 are marked with the flag under which they fought. Notable among these are the graves of nearly sixty veterans who served in the Army or Navy of the Confederate States of America.
Captain Paul Hamilton fought in 20 Civil War battles and died at 20 years old. Seashells left at his burial monument indicate someone still is thinking of him.
The burial grounds are easy to walk through with brick pathways. Some of the family plots are enclosed and there are also above-ground tombs. Dr. Perry’s Brick Mausoleum was due to someone he knew being buried alive. He was buried with a pickaxe, a jug of water, and a loaf of bread.
Staying with Christian practice, graves in the Old Churchyard face east, toward the rising sun.
The Church is surrounded by mature trees and hanging moss making it difficult to get a photo with a view of the front of it.
I left these historic sacred grounds feeling very peaceful. This parish has survived conflict, hurricanes, sadness, and illness but is here today and continues to serve the people. A good message and one that will continue to be passed along.
St. Helena Parish Church is located in the Historic district in Beaufort South Carolina.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are enjoying the sites of Coastal Georgia and South Carolina. Have a wonderful day 🙂
Alice