Stoney Creek Presbyterian Chapel
Not too long ago, my husband and I had to travel to Yemassee, South Carolina for an errand. I quickly looked up things for us to do in the area. Yemassee is a small area, so I didn’t know what to expect. But a couple of very interesting sites popped up, and we had a wonderful afternoon exploring. One of the places we discovered was Stoney Creek Chapel. A steep gabled roof with clean lines and large windows adorns the Greek Revival structure. The small window above the door adds even more charm to the already lovely structure.
Church History
The original chapel was established in 1743 by local residents as a non-Anglican church. Its minister was William Hutson, a disciple of George Whitefield (one of the founders of Methodism and the evangelical movement). It was located on the Pocotaglio River. In 1785, it was incorporated as the Independent Presbyterian Chapel of Prince William Parish.
Many rice-planters built summer homes in McPhersonville before the Civil War to escape mosquitoes and therefore malaria during the hot months. In 1833, residents set aside about an acre of land to build a summer chapel, which is what you see today.
If you enjoy historic sites, check out the dark history of the Foley House Inn in Savannah, GA.
People dismantled the original chapel to build a bridge.
The Union Army used the chapel as a hospital and camp.
After the war, people began using it for its intended purpose again, but the congregation had dissolved by 1967.
The 1993 film, Forrest Gump, featured the chapel.
Though I cannot confirm, people say you can still see blood stains on the wood floors.
