The Presbyterian Church has a curious and interesting history. When Elisha Screven, the founder of Georgetown, laid out the town in 1729, he provided for a Presbyterian Meeting House on Church Street near the foot of Orange Street. Other denominations were to build their sanctuaries on that street also under Screven's plan. However, his plan was not followed by later generations. Today, no church stands on the street which Screven designated "Church Street". Mr. John G. Leland's brief history of Georgetown Presbyterian Church noted that the original Presbyterian Church appeared to have been moved to a new location inland in an attempt to achieve complete independence from the established Church of England.
A Presbyterian congregation was active in the early years of Georgetown's history, but the church did not survive, losing its charter in 1840. This is why we do not call ourselves "First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown." Georgetown Presbyterian Church, as it is known today, was not established until 1897, when the fledgling congregation listed eight charter members:
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Miss M. P. Daggett |
Miss Mamie L. Mclean |
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Mrs. T. M. Daggett |
Mrs. E. G. Mouzon |
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Miss A. E. Gordon |
Mr. J. C. Murphy |
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Mr. P. C. McClary, Sr. |
Mr. Read Whitford |
This little band of founding church members first held services in the Winyah Indigo Society Hall.
The second starting of a Presbyterian Church in Georgetown was on October 24, 1897, on property they acquired at the corner of Winyah Road and Hazard Street where a sanctuary and manse were erected. A severe storm damaged this church in 1906 and it was sold to members of another faith.
In1907, a brick church was constructed with the assistance of Harmony Presbytery and the Synod of South Carolina at a cost of $10,600. In 1953, a manse was built at the corner of Front and St. James Streets on a lot deeded to the church by Miss Mary Caroline Bruorton and Mrs. O. L. Bruorton.
During the pastorates of Dr. Joseph B. Mack, the Rev. H. P. J. L'Heureux and the Rev. Ace L. Tubbs, Georgetown Presbyterian Church aided in the establishment of Friendfield Presbyterian Church of Georgetown. It was located on the Andrews Highway and was admitted to Harmony Presbytery on August 9, 1953, with fifty-nine members. Georgetown and Friendfield Churches shared the same minister until October 1983.
Today, Rev. Stephen H. Wilkins leads the 500+ members of our ever-growing church. We'd love to have you join us in worship. Feel free to contact us.