Today we are taking a Flashback Friday to dive into the history of another historical marker in Columbia. Last month, we shared about a new historical marker and asked you for suggestions on which we should cover next. One reader asked for a little more information on St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, located at 900 Calhoun St. Well y’all, ask and you shall receive. Let’s go.
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church is the third oldest Episcopal church in Columbia, dating back to 1892. It has been referred to as “the Garden Church” or the “Church of the Governors” due to its proximity to the Governor’s Mansion. The church grounds also have two gardens, which hints at the clever nickname.
After the original structure burned in 1912, the congregation began to rebuild the current building that stands on the corner of Calhoun and Lincoln streets. The reconstruction was completed in 1914 + is made of granite with 15 signature stained glass windows (we will come back to this).
The church was rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style. For those who may not know, Gothic Revival is a style of architecture that was inspired by more medieval designs using rich colors and decorations. This movement began in the mid-18th century and continued through the 19th. You can often point these structures out by the pointed arches with irregular shapes in the windows and doors with a vertical emphasis.
Okay, back to those 15 stained glass windows. They were constructed by Mayer Studios in Germany. Mayer Studios was founded in 1847 by Franz Mayer of Munich and has stayed in the family for 158 years. The stained glass windows are found above the French doors of Bennett Hall + inside the sanctuary building.
View of the stained glass windows from the outside of the church | Photo via COLAtoday
Red French doors at the church entrance | Photo via COLAtoday
The grounds have two gardens – the Seay Garden + the Beckham Garden. In both gardens you can find a fountain, benches + sanctuary. In 2006, Beckham Garden was designated an official Affiliate Quiet Garden.
The Quiet Garden movement was started by an Anglican priest working in Oxford, England, and is designed for prayer, contemplation, rest + inspiration. The Beckham Garden is the first and only Affiliate Quiet Garden in South Carolina.
One of the gardens at the church | Photo via COLAtoday
The church remains open today – with coronavirus precautions in place for the safety of its congregation.
Not ready to flashback to 2020, keep on exploring some of Cola’s oldest churches here + SC’s historic churches here.
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