History
By the grace of God, St. Stephen’s has had a storied history. Its Parish was established in 1754, The current Georgian style church building was constructed in 1767, and has served the local community in a multitude of ways, during its nearly three centuries of existence. It has been used as a seat of government, a field hospital during the Civil War, and of course a place for reverent worship and community. Many notable figures have worshiped in the walls of St. Stephen’s, including members of the Famous Marion family of the American Revolution and former Congressman Mendel L. Rivers. St. Stephen’s has welcomes you to our historic church with open arms!
Written Histories
Many have written masterful histories of our great church and parish. Explore these links to find out more.
"An historical account of the Protestant Episcopal Church in South-Carolina, from the first settlement of the province, to the war of the revolution; with notices of the present state of the church in each parish: and some account of the early civil history of Carolina. never before published. To which are added; the laws relating to religious worship; the journals and rules of the convention of South-Carolina; the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal church, and the course of ecclesiastical studies."
By: Frederick Dalcho, 1820
"A historical account of the Protestant Episcopal Church in South Carolina, 1820-1957 : being a continuation of Dalcho's account, 1670-1820"
By: Albert Sidney Thomas, 1957
"Anglican Churches in Colonial South Carolina"
By: Suzanne Cameron Linder Hurley, 2000
"St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, St. Stephen, S.C. : including Church of the Epiphany, Upper St. John's Berkeley, and Chapel of Ease, Pineville, S.C."
By: Jame Searles Misenhelter, 1977
"The Memoirs of Frederick Adolphus Porcher"
By: Frederick Adolphus Porcher, South Carolina Historical Society, 1980