Old Sheldon Church Ruins - near Yamasee, South Carolina

“It is not what you look at that matters.  It’s what you see.”  

Henry David Thoreau

  

                We drove down Old Sheldon Church Road on a cool day last fall to see the ruins we have heard so much about through friends.   Many of our friends were getting their before wedding photos taken there or planning to get married there.   Everyone who ever saw this place, said you have to go.   You will love it.   We decided to take the two plus hour road trip to see the ruins.  The Ruins are about 100 miles from Augusta and 17 miles from Beaufort, SC with the nearest town being Yamassee, SC.   I can truly say this is so worth the drive.   We pulled into the parking lot and took one look at these magnificent ruins and fell in love.  It totally took my breath away.   Amazing beautiful.   The way the sun was shining on the ruins made it feel as if the angels were touching it with heavens light and how stunning it looked.  The church was built of red brick and is on a 4.5 acre spread of land with beautiful, majestic oaks blanketed with Spanish moss.   The ruins contrast to the lush green park like setting made it just stand out.  I can see why people will drive this distance to get before wedding pictures or decide to get married here.  Just amazing.

             

 The church was built between 1745 and 1753 in the English Georgian Style and was

originally known as Prince William’s Parish Church in the low country area of South Carolina.  The church was burned by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War. It was thought to have stored gun powder in the church during the Revolutionary War by the Patriots.   It was rebuilt in 1826.

                The church was again burned down in 1865 during the Civil War by General Sherman’s Army as he marched from Georgia into South Carolina.   There is another theory of what may have happened.   It may not have been burnt down a second time but the inside of the church may have been gutted to use the materials to rebuild homes burnt by Sherman’s Army.  So, I’m not sure which is correct but it is an interesting theory.

                The remains of Colonel William Bull who helped General Oglethorpe in putting together the physical layout of Savannah, Georgia with the basic grid pattern of streets and squares is buried here.  There are other old grave sites scattered on this property.

                 This is such a peaceful place to go and think about what this place was like in the past.   There is a nice area where you can sit and have a picnic lunch.   This is a great place to stop and see on your way to Beaufort or Hunting Island, SC.   There is so much beauty here.  Take five and enjoy what is in front of you.   What an amazing historic spot and so lovely.  The pictures speak for  themselves.  It is open Dawn to Dusk.